Bali is facing a fuel shortage, with long queues forming at petrol stations across the island as motorists struggle to find available supplies of Pertalite and Pertamax. The disruption has affected several areas, including Denpasar, Badung and Tabanan, with queues extending onto main roads and causing traffic congestion.
On Monday, 12 October 2026, several petrol stations reportedly ran out of fuel, leaving motorists searching for locations that could still serve them. Those with available stocks attracted large numbers of vehicles, forcing drivers to wait for extended periods to refuel.
According to detikBali, queues were reported at petrol stations in Sesetan, Denpasar Selatan, Kapal in Badung, and other locations across the island. At one petrol station in Kapal, vehicles reportedly queued along the Denpasar–Gilimanuk main road.
The shortage has disrupted daily activities, particularly for residents who depend on private vehicles to commute to work. Some motorists have also struggled to continue their journeys after running out of fuel while searching for an open petrol station.
Why Is Bali Experiencing a Fuel Shortage?
The fuel shortage has raised concerns over supply distribution and the availability of petrol at local stations. While Pertamina has announced additional deliveries, the immediate challenge is ensuring that fuel reaches petrol stations according to demand.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster summoned representatives of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga to his official residence in Denpasar on Monday to discuss the situation. He called on the company to improve fuel supply management and distribution to address the long queues.
Koster also attributed part of the problem to public anxiety over running out of fuel. Concerned that supplies might run out, motorists have been buying fuel at the same time, adding pressure to petrol stations that still have stocks available.
The governor urged residents not to panic, while stressing the need for better coordination to ensure that fuel supplies reach communities across Bali.
The situation has also prompted the police to help manage traffic around busy petrol stations. Long queues extending onto public roads have created additional congestion in several areas.
Pertamina Adds 26,200 Kilolitres of Fuel to Bali
To address the shortage, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has arranged additional fuel deliveries totalling 26,200 kilolitres (kL). The shipments are scheduled to arrive in stages on 12, 14 and 16 October 2026 at the Sanggaran fuel terminal in Denpasar and the Manggis terminal in Karangasem.
According to Bisnis.com, the planned deliveries include 18,000 kL of Pertalite and 2,500 kL of Pertamax, with the total additional cargo across the scheduled shipments reaching 26,200 kL.
Ahad Rahedi, Area Manager for Communication, Relations and CSR at Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Jatimbalinus Regional Office, said the company was monitoring stock levels and consumption across the island to determine distribution priorities.
Pertamina is also working to speed up the unloading of fuel cargoes at its terminals and the subsequent delivery of supplies to petrol stations.
The company has urged residents to purchase fuel according to their needs and avoid excessive buying, which could put further pressure on available stocks.
When Will Fuel Supplies Return to Normal?
The additional deliveries are expected to help ease the pressure on Bali’s fuel distribution network. However, the arrival of fuel at a terminal does not mean that all petrol stations will immediately have sufficient supplies. Fuel must still be unloaded, distributed and delivered to individual stations.
Koster previously estimated that distribution could return to normal within one to two days. The actual recovery will depend on the progress of deliveries and the distribution of fuel to areas experiencing the greatest shortages.
For residents and visitors, the situation highlights the importance of checking local fuel availability before travelling long distances. Motorists should also allow extra time for journeys and avoid joining queues unnecessarily when they do not need to refuel.
As Pertamina increases deliveries, the priority remains restoring a consistent supply across Bali and reducing congestion around affected petrol stations.
