Jakarta. Indonesian energy distributor Sefas Group has agreed to acquire 100% of Shell’s fuel station business in Indonesia, marking the latest step in Shell’s exit from the country’s retail fuel market.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and the fulfillment of other customary conditions, with completion expected later this year, Sefas said on Wednesday. The company did not disclose the value of the transaction.

“As the largest distributor of Shell lubricants in Indonesia, Sefas Group is proud to take this next business step and support the future growth of Indonesia’s energy retail sector,” Sefas Group Chief Executive Officer Ricky Roesli said in a statement.

Roesli said Sefas would proceed with the process of taking full ownership of the business, with its main priority being to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining safe and reliable operations.

Shell’s brand will remain visible at the stations under a licensing arrangement, meaning services for customers, employees and business partners are expected to continue.

“Local ownership provides a strong foundation for the next phase of business development. Our ambition is to build one of the most trusted and sustainable energy retail businesses in Indonesia,” Roesli said.

Shell Indonesia President Director Andri Pratiwa said Sefas was a long-standing Shell partner with a deep understanding of the Indonesian market, customer needs and the existing retail network.

The acquisition follows Shell plc’s decision to exit its Indonesian retail fuel station business as part of a global strategy to streamline its downstream operations and focus capital on higher-return businesses.

Shell announced in May 2025 that it planned to sell its entire Indonesian fuel station network, which comprises roughly 200 outlets. The company has been seeking to reduce its global retail petroleum footprint while focusing on areas including lubricants and lower-carbon energy.

The Indonesian fuel retail market has become increasingly challenging for private operators. Government restrictions on fuel imports have required private retailers to source additional supplies domestically through state-owned energy company Pertamina, limiting their ability to rely on global supply chains.

Shell’s operations were further disrupted after the company exhausted its approved fuel import quota, with restrictions on additional imports contributing to fuel shortages at its stations.

Private fuel retailers also face intense competition from Pertamina, whose network includes subsidized fuels such as Pertalite and Solar. The price-sensitive nature of Indonesia’s fuel market makes it difficult for private brands to gain market share, particularly when global oil prices rise.

Sefas, founded in 1997 as PT Sefas Pelindotama in East Kalimantan, is a major distributor of Shell lubricants in Indonesia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The company serves industries including mining, logistics, manufacturing and marine through more than 20 offices and warehouses across Indonesia.

The company was founded by Indonesian entrepreneurs Herman Soegeng, who serves as commissioner, and Ricky Roesli, its president director. It subsequently expanded from Kalimantan into major commercial centers including Surabaya and Jakarta.

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