The Indonesian government is set to hold talks with private fuel distributors next week following reports of supply shortages at petrol stations operated by Shell and BP, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Shell and BP-AKR, which operate under BP’s branding in Indonesia, have acknowledged inventory constraints affecting the availability of certain gasoline products. BP-AKR confirmed limited stock of its 92 octane and 95 octane fuels, while Shell stated that some of its products would be temporarily unavailable at select locations.
The shortages come amid a shift in consumer demand from state owned Pertamina’s subsidized fuel to unsubsidized alternatives offered by private distributors. Although private firms hold a relatively small market share, recent restrictions on subsidized fuel sales have increased pressure on their supply chains.
Laode Sulaeman, a senior official at the energy ministry, told that the government has granted private distributors a fuel import quota 10% higher than in 2024 to help meet rising demand. He added that the upcoming meeting will address the current supply challenges and explore collaborative solutions. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has encouraged private distributors to consider partnerships with Pertamina to stabilize fuel availability across the country.