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| Fuel Shortage in Balikpapan: The Irony Behind Indonesia’s City of Oil. |
Imagine this: a city known for its rich oil history, now facing fuel shortages so bad that people are lining up for hours—sometimes even days—just to fill their tanks. Sounds like a joke, right? Unfortunately, it's the real situation in Balikpapan, Indonesia.
People online have been saying, “Hey, how can Balikpapan be out of gas? Isn’t it literally called the City of Oil?”
Let’s talk about how this ironic situation came to be.
Balikpapan Is Running Out of Fuel – Wait, Seriously?
Once the Pride of Indonesia’s Oil Industry
Balikpapan earned its nickname "City of Oil" for a good reason. Since 1897, it’s been home to major oil drilling operations, thanks to the legendary Mathilda well. Big oil refineries were built here, making Balikpapan a key player in the nation’s energy game. Some even joked that the asphalt in Balikpapan could make a Ferrari weep with joy.
But now? The city is running on empty—literally.
Long Lines, Empty Tanks, and Frustrated Faces
Today, gas stations in Balikpapan are packed with cars and motorcycles waiting in lines that stretch for blocks. It’s not uncommon for people to wait over 24 hours just to get a few liters of Pertalite or Pertamax. Some have even set up camp at gas stations overnight.
One online driver put it simply: “I used to wait for passengers—now I wait for gas.”
That’s how bad it’s gotten.
An Oil City Begging for Fuel From Its Neighbors
Here’s where it gets really ironic: Balikpapan, a city literally built on oil, is now depending on fuel supplies from nearby cities like Samarinda and Banjarmasin. The same city that once supplied energy to the nation is now on the receiving end.
People are joking, “If oil could cry, it would’ve left this place already.” But the truth behind the joke stings a little too hard.
Locals Are Starting to Come Up With Wild Theories
With the shortage getting worse, people are getting creative—and hilarious—with their theories. Some blame aliens. Others say it’s Mercury in retrograde messing up the fuel tankers. There are even spiritual "gas station healers" popping up, saying things like: “Fill your soul before you fill your tank.”
But behind the laughs, there's real frustration brewing.
Pertamina Tries to Calm the Situation—But Trust Is Low
Indonesia’s state-owned oil company, Pertamina, has released statements assuring the public that new fuel shipments have arrived and that distribution will return to normal soon.
Still, many residents are skeptical. After waiting in endless lines with no clear solution, hope is running low—kind of like everyone’s fuel tanks.
More Than Just a Fuel Crisis: This Is an Identity Crisis
Here’s the deeper issue: This isn't just about running out of gas. For Balikpapan, this is an identity crisis.
How does a city famous for oil end up begging for it?
An elderly man watching the refinery from afar put it best: “Back in the day, we could buy gas without drama. Now, it feels like we’re asking for a favor.”
The refineries are still standing. Smoke still rises from the stacks. But no one really knows if they’re still producing—or just exhausted like the rest of the city.
Hope Is the Last Drop in the Tank
Balikpapan is going through a tough time, no doubt. But the people haven’t lost their sense of humor—and maybe that’s what keeps the city going.
Because as one viral quote put it:
“As long as we can still laugh, the tank of life isn’t truly empty.”
This crisis is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that being an oil-rich city isn’t just about having oil under your feet—it’s about how that oil is managed, distributed, and valued by those in charge.
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