JAKARTA, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Fuel stations owned by private companies in Indonesia have been experiencing oil stock shortages due to what the companies described as obstacles in procurement and distribution.

As of Tuesday, local media reported that two private fuel stations, namely PT Shell Indonesia and a joint venture between British Petroleum and PT AKR Corporindo Tbk (BP-AKR), are still unable to provide fuel refills in some cities.

Ingrid Siburian, president director of Shell Indonesia and managing director of mobility, said that fuel shortages at several gas stations were caused by challenges in the procurement and distribution processes.

"Shell Indonesia is continuously coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure the availability of fuel products at Shell gas stations as soon as possible," Siburian said in an official statement quoted by a local news portal.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said that the obstacles were unrelated to the permit process with the Indonesian government, noting that the import permit for private refueling stations has been completed since January 2025.

"There is no issue with public consumption. Delays may be caused by the arrival of fuel tankers," said Bahlil. However, he declined to comment further, noting that the scarcity of fuel at private petrol stations is beyond the government's control.