Bali's fuel shortage began on Sunday 11 October 2026, when a tanker carrying 18 million litres was delayed and queues formed at petrol stations across the island. From Saturday 17 October the provincial government rationed subsidised Pertalite by number plate, with limits of 20 litres for a car and 3 litres for a motorbike. Governor Wayan Koster extended the rule once, and it ended on Friday 23 October. Pertamina said on 27 October that queues had returned to normal at several stations. This page sets out what happened and what it meant for visitors.
By Alex Moskvin, Founder of SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Private Car with Driver in Bali — From $59 per car, flexible daily use.
Is there a fuel shortage in Bali now?
Not as of 2 November 2026. The odd-even rule ended on Friday 23 October, and Pertamina said on 27 October that queues had returned to normal at several stations. On 2 November police reported no long queues at four stations and about 13 days of Pertalite at the main depot. If you notice a problem at a station, Pertamina's contact centre number is 135.
This guide also answers:
- What was the odd-even fuel rule in Bali?
- How much fuel could I buy during the odd-even rule?
- Why did Bali run short of fuel in October 2026?
Top picks from this guide
#1
The queues, 11 to 15 October
Long queues began on Sunday 11 October 2026, after a tanker with 18 million litres of fuel reached the Manggis terminal in Karangasem many hours late. BPS Bali, the provincial statistics office, dates the supply shortage to 11-15 October. Pertamina added 26,200 kilolitres of fuel in stages, kept its terminals open around the clock and asked the army to help keep order at some stations.
#2
Odd-even rationing by number plate
From Saturday 17 October, subsidised Pertalite was sold only to vehicles whose last number-plate digit matched the date: odd plates on the 17th, even plates on the 18th, and the same pattern after that. It applied to cars and motorbikes at all Pertamina stations in Bali. On 19 October Governor Koster extended the rule through Friday 23 October.
#3
Scooters and the 3-litre limit
ANTARA reported a limit of 3 litres for a two-wheeled vehicle. From 15 October Pertamina also ran a mobile service at busy stations that sold up to 3 litres of Pertalite per transaction to motorbike owners. The reports do not describe any exemption for tourists or rented vehicles, so we assume a rented scooter followed the same limit.
#4
Cars, drivers and the 20-litre limit
Cars could buy at most 20 litres under the same rules. Ambulances and fire engines had priority at the pumps, and trucks could refuel only at night. A driver who starts the day with a full tank spends less of your day in a queue. Our private car with driver is from $59 per car.
What happened to Bali's fuel supply in October 2026?
Long queues began at petrol stations across Bali on Sunday 11 October 2026, according to BPS Bali, the provincial statistics office. Governor Wayan Koster said, as ANTARA reported on 16 October, that a ship carrying 18 million litres of fuel was due at the Manggis terminal on the morning of 11 October and did not arrive until about 22:00. On 30 October ANTARA Bali reported him saying that the ship could not dock for 18 hours after its anchor snagged, and that deliveries to stations stopped for that day.
The Governor said the problem was distribution, not stock. Bali's fuel quota had not been cut, and the allocated supply was enough for normal demand. ANTARA reported that a shortage of tanker trucks and staff meant stations were refilled in stages. Pertamina said it sent 3 million litres of Pertalite a day for four days from 13 October, above Bali's normal need of 2.2 million litres a day, to make up for what residents had not been able to buy (Detik Bali, 19 October). Its president director apologised for the shortage and said the company would work to restore normal distribution.
| Date in 2026 | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 11 October | A tanker with 18 million litres reaches the Manggis terminal about 22:00 instead of in the morning; long queues begin | ANTARA, 16 October; BPS Bali |
| Monday 12 October | Pertamina announces 26,200 kilolitres of extra fuel, delivered by ship in stages | ANTARA Bali, 12 October |
| By 15 October | Terminals run 24 hours, 66 stations in Denpasar and Badung open around the clock, the army joins to secure distribution, mobile fuel sales start | ANTARA and Bali Expat, 15 October |
| Friday 16 October | The Governor announces the odd-even rule for 17 to 19 October and says tourism is safe so far | ANTARA, 16 October |
| Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October | Odd plates are served on the 17th and even plates on the 18th; Pertamina says queues are easing | ANTARA, 17 and 18 October |
| Monday 19 October | The Governor extends the rule to Friday 23 October | ANTARA Bali, 19 October |
| Friday 23 October | The odd-even rule ends | ANTARA Bali, 27 October |
| Monday 26 October | Police announce four arrests for hoarding subsidised Pertalite | ANTARA, 26 October |
| Monday 2 November | BPS Bali links the shortage to higher inflation in October | ANTARA Bali, 2 November |
Dates are local dates in Bali. The 23 October end date comes from Pertamina's statement reported on 27 October.
How did the odd-even fuel rule work?
The rule came from a letter signed by Governor Koster. It applied to subsidised Pertalite (RON 90) at all Pertamina stations in Bali. Buyers were served on the days that matched the last digit of their number plate: odd digits on odd dates and even digits on even dates. ANTARA reported limits of 20 litres for a four-wheeled vehicle and 3 litres for a two-wheeled one. Ambulances and fire engines had priority at the pumps, and trucks could refuel only at night.
To shorten the queues, 66 stations stayed open 24 hours: 42 in Denpasar and 24 in Badung. Pertamina said 100 soldiers from the Udayana military command would help run stations at night and police would escort fuel tankers. From 15 October a mobile service brought fuel in 3-litre cans to the busiest stations and poured it straight into motorbike tanks, to prevent misuse. At one station on Jalan Hayam Wuruk in Denpasar, Detik Bali reported on 17 October, a queue that had taken three hours the day before took about one hour on the first day of the rule, and Pertalite and Pertamax had separate queues. A student told the reporter that earlier queues had stretched more than a kilometre. Pertamina's contact centre for questions is 135.
- Fuel covered: subsidised Pertalite; the reports we read do not describe rules for other fuels
- Who was served: plates whose last digit matched the date, odd or even
- Limits: 20 litres for a four-wheeled vehicle, 3 litres for a two-wheeled vehicle
- Priority: ambulances and fire engines; trucks only at night
- Exemptions for tourists or rented vehicles: none mentioned in the reports
Is Bali's fuel shortage over?
The odd-even rule ended on Friday 23 October 2026. On 27 October ANTARA Bali reported that Pertamina said queues had returned to normal at several stations since the rule ended and that service continued. On 2 November Detik Bali reported that police and Pertamina staff checked four stations in Badung, Tabanan, Gianyar and Denpasar, saw no long queues and found all four open 24 hours. At the Sanggaran depot, police said the stock of Pertalite was about 30,000 kilolitres, enough for 13 days, and other fuels were enough for about 20 days, with more supply due within about two days. Police asked people not to panic-buy before Christmas and New Year. We found no report of new limits or new queues up to 2 November. Pertamina said it would review its operations regularly with the Manggis and Sanggaran terminals, which supply all of Bali.
Three details show how tight the supply was. On 19 October ANTARA reported that Bali's reserves covered 11 to 12 days of demand, that shipping problems had cut them by three to four days, and that Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia wanted them back at 15 days. On 26 October police announced four arrests for hoarding subsidised Pertalite for resale and said they had seized 795 litres. On 2 November BPS Bali said the shortage disrupted the distribution of goods and was one reason monthly inflation in Bali reached 0.25% in October, with a long dry season that cut vegetable output as a second reason.
What did the shortage mean for tourists?
Governor Koster said on 16 October that tourism was safe so far, but that the queues had reduced activity and that he had not yet calculated the impact. On 28 October he said daily foreign arrivals were stable at 19,000 to 24,000, that the fuel problem had no negative effect on visitor numbers, and that hotel occupancy was above 90%.
The reports we read do not mention tourists, taxis or rented vehicles, and they do not describe any exemption for them. The limits mattered most for vehicles with small tanks. A scooter allowed 3 litres has to refuel often, which in the worst days meant standing in a queue. If you rent one, our guide to getting around Bali explains why we advise most visitors to skip the scooter, and the licence and insurance rules are in our scooter rules guide.
What should you do if fuel runs short again?
We cannot predict a repeat, but the steps are simple. Pertamina asked residents to stay calm and buy only what they need, because panic buying makes queues longer.
- Buy what you need. Pertamina asked people not to buy more than their daily needs.
- Start long days with a full tank. Fill up the evening before, not on the way.
- Ask before you rent. A rental shop can tell you how the bike is fuelled and what it does if a shortage hits.
- Pre-book the important rides. A booked car does not depend on you finding a pump.
- Use the official line. Pertamina Contact Center: 135.
For sightseeing days, a private car with driver is from $59 per car, and an airport transfer is from $15 per car; our airport transfer guide has the times to each area. Our private driver cost guide explains what the car price covers, and Grab, Gojek or a private driver compares the other options. We take bookings on WhatsApp with no prepayment, so a change of plan costs you nothing.
Where these facts come from
- ANTARA, 16 October 2026: Bali introduces odd-even license plate fueling system starting Oct 17 — the rule, the plate days, the 20 and 3 litre limits, the 66 stations, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA, 17 October 2026: Pertamina backs Bali's odd-even rule for Pertalite purchases — Pertalite only, priority for ambulances and fire engines, trucks at night, soldiers and police escorts, contact centre 135, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 19 October 2026: Gubernur Koster perpanjang ganjil genap antre BBM hingga Jumat — extension from 20 to 23 October, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA, 19 October 2026: Indonesia deploys seven more ships to boost Bali's fuel supplies — reserves of 11 to 12 days, target of 15 days, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA, 16 October 2026: Bali Governor assures tourists despite fuel queues at gas stations — the late ship, quota not cut, the Governor's words on tourism, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA, 15 October 2026: Army joins Pertamina to secure Bali fuel distribution amid shortage — army help, the president director's apology, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 12 October 2026: Pertamina Patra Niaga tambah penyaluran BBM 26.200 kiloliter di Bali — extra fuel delivered by ship in stages, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA, 18 October 2026: Bali fuel queues ease as Pertamina boosts distribution — easing queues and the mobile service for motorbikes from 15 October, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 17 October 2026: Pertamina Patra Niaga pastikan penyaluran BBM jerigen langsung ke tangki kendaraan — the mobile service with 3-litre cans poured into the tank, retrieved 2 November 2026
- detikFinance, 17 October 2026: Beli Pertalite di Bali Cuma Boleh 20 Liter untuk Mobil, Motor 3 Liter — the same limits from a second outlet, Pertalite only, 66 stations, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Detik Bali, 17 October 2026: Antrean Tiga Jam di SPBU Berkurang Jadi Satu Jam — the queue on Jalan Hayam Wuruk in Denpasar and the earlier queues, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Detik Bali, 19 October 2026: Pertamina Kirim Pertalite 3 Juta Liter/Hari, Melebihi Konsumsi Harian Bali — 3 million litres a day against a normal need of 2.2 million, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 27 October 2026: Pertamina Patra Niaga evaluasi operasional berkala pastikan keamanan stok BBM di Bali — the rule ended on 23 October and queues returned to normal at several stations, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 30 October 2026: Koster klarifikasi video viral di SPBU — the ship that could not dock for 18 hours after its anchor snagged, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA, 26 October 2026: Bali Police arrest four for hoarding subsidized fuel — the hoarding arrests and 795 litres seized, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 2 November 2026: BPS Krisis BBM picu inflasi bulanan di Bali 0,25 persen — the 11 to 15 October dating of the shortage and the October inflation figure, retrieved 2 November 2026
- ANTARA Bali, 29 October 2026: Gubernur Koster sebut kunjungan wisman ke Bali stabil di angka 19.000-24.000 per hari — daily foreign arrivals and hotel occupancy, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Detik Bali, 2 November 2026: Polda Bali Cek SPBU dan Depo Pertamina, Stok BBM Dipastikan Aman — no long queues at four stations and the depot stock, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Detik Bali, 2 November 2026: Polda Bali Jamin Stok BBM Saat Nataru Aman, Warga Diminta Tak Panic Buying — police on fuel stock for Christmas and New Year and the request not to panic-buy, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Bali Expat, 15 October 2026: Pertamina Strengthens Fleet and Runs Terminals 24/7 to Restore Bali Fuel Supply — terminals open 24 hours and 66 stations around the clock, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Bali Expat, 20 October 2026: Bali Extends Odd-Even Rule for Fuel Purchases until October 23 — the extension announced at the Sanggaran terminal, retrieved 2 November 2026
- Tour prices from SB Excursions tour pages, November 2026
FAQ
Is there a fuel shortage in Bali now?
Not as of 2 November 2026. The odd-even rule ended on Friday 23 October, and Pertamina said on 27 October that queues had returned to normal at several stations. On 2 November police reported no long queues at four stations and about 13 days of Pertalite at the main depot. If you notice a problem at a station, Pertamina's contact centre number is 135.
What was the odd-even fuel rule in Bali?
From 17 to 23 October 2026, buyers of subsidised Pertalite were served on days that matched the last digit of their number plate: odd plates on odd dates and even plates on even dates. It applied to cars and motorbikes at all Pertamina stations in Bali.
How much fuel could I buy during the odd-even rule?
ANTARA reported limits of 20 litres for a four-wheeled vehicle and 3 litres for a two-wheeled vehicle. The reports did not describe any exemption for tourists or rented vehicles, so plan on the same limits if a rule like this returns.
Why did Bali run short of fuel in October 2026?
A tanker carrying 18 million litres was due at the Manggis terminal on the morning of 11 October and arrived about 22:00. The Governor later said it could not dock for 18 hours after its anchor snagged, so deliveries to stations stopped for the day and queues formed. He said Bali's fuel quota had not been cut.
Did the fuel shortage affect tourists in Bali?
The Governor said on 16 October that tourism was safe so far and on 28 October that daily foreign arrivals were stable at 19,000 to 24,000. The reports we read do not describe problems for flights, hotels or tour operators. The 3-litre limit mattered most for people on scooters.
Could the fuel shortage happen again?
We cannot predict it. Bali's fuel arrives by ship and is stored at two terminals. On 19 October the reserve covered 11 to 12 days against a target of 15, and on 2 November police said the Sanggaran depot held enough Pertalite for 13 days. The Governor said he raised the issue with Pertamina's president director to prevent a repeat. If it happens, buy only what you need and start long days with a full tank.
Should I rent a scooter in Bali during a fuel shortage?
We would not rely on one. With a 3-litre limit you refuel often, and queues cost time. A car with a driver starts the day with a full tank, and our private car with driver is from $59 per car. The licence and insurance rules for scooters are in our scooter rules guide.
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