France is continuing to experience fuel supply disruptions as energy markets remain under pressure from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to global oil flows.
Official French government data showed that 11% of service stations were experiencing shortages of at least one type of petrol or diesel at 9:00 a.m. on September 23, down from 15% the previous day. The government data covers thousands of stations across the country.
Although the latest figure represents an improvement from earlier in the week, fuel availability remains uneven across France, with several regions reporting significantly higher levels of disruption.
The situation comes as European governments respond to record or near-record fuel prices and as disruptions to Middle Eastern oil supplies continue to affect global markets.
France Fuel Stations Continue to Report Shortages
France’s official fuel availability data showed that 89% of stations had no reported difficulty at 9:00 a.m. on September 23.
The proportion experiencing a shortage of at least one petrol or diesel product had fallen from the levels recorded earlier in the week. On September 22, the figure was 15%, while several regions continued to report shortages above the national average.
Grand Est reported shortages at 16% of stations, while Île-de-France stood at 12%. Brittany and Normandy were both at 11%, while Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes was at 11%.
The figures show that the situation is not uniform across the country.
Some individual stations have also reported shortages affecting specific fuel products rather than being completely out of fuel.
A separate analysis of the official government data on September 23 counted more than 1,300 stations reporting at least one fuel shortage, although the exact number varies depending on the time the data is collected.
France Faces Pressure From Rising Fuel Prices
Fuel prices have also risen sharply as international oil markets respond to supply disruptions.
Reuters reported on September 22 that France was expanding targeted fuel-price relief for households and sectors heavily affected by higher energy costs.
The French government said the measures would increase the number of eligible high-mileage commuters from about 3 million to 5.5 million. Additional support was announced for sectors including fishing, farming and construction.
The government has also said that overall fuel supplies remain stable for the coming weeks, although it continues to monitor the situation closely.
That distinction is important: France is experiencing localized shortages and exceptionally high prices, but the latest official data does not indicate that the entire country is running out of fuel.
Saudi Oil Supply Disruptions Add Pressure to European Markets
The European fuel situation is being closely watched because of disruptions affecting Saudi oil exports.
A drone attack damaged Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, a major route used to transport crude from the kingdom’s eastern oil fields toward the Red Sea.
Bloomberg reported that Saudi Aramco told at least two European refining customers that they would receive no crude under their normal long-term arrangements in October. The report said the decision applied to European buyers, although Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the Bloomberg report.
Saudi Aramco has been working to restore the affected pipeline infrastructure, while European refiners have looked for alternative sources of crude.
Reuters reported that some customers had already begun seeking replacement supplies, including North Sea crude, following the disruption.
The disruption does not mean Europe will receive no oil at all in October. European refiners use crude from multiple sources, and alternative supplies can be purchased on international markets.
However, losing some contracted Saudi supplies adds pressure to a market already dealing with major disruptions.
Global Diesel Prices Reach Record Levels
The effects are also being felt outside Europe.
Reuters reported on September 21 that global diesel prices had reached record levels as conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine disrupted supplies from major producers and exporters.
Middle Eastern diesel shipments had fallen sharply, while Russia’s diesel exports were affected by its decision to restrict exports following attacks on refineries.
European diesel futures had risen to more than twice their levels at the beginning of 2026. Reuters also reported that U.S. retail diesel prices had moved above $6 per gallon for the first time.
The pressure is particularly significant because diesel is essential for trucking, agriculture, construction, shipping and rail transportation.
Higher diesel prices therefore have consequences far beyond the price drivers see at fuel stations.
Pakistan Introduces New Fuel Conservation Measures
Pakistan has also introduced new measures aimed at conserving fuel and reducing energy consumption.
On September 17, the federal government reintroduced austerity measures following renewed tensions in the Middle East.
Under the measures, shops, markets, shopping malls and other commercial establishments must close by 9 p.m. Marriage halls and similar venues must close by 10 p.m., while restaurants and food outlets can operate until 11 p.m.
The government also reduced fuel allocations for official vehicles by 50% for three months.
Other measures include restrictions on official foreign travel, limits on government-funded events and a continuation of the single-dish policy for marriage functions.
Essential services including hospitals, pharmacies, fuel stations and several other facilities are exempt from the closing-time restrictions.
Bangladesh Continues to Deal With Energy Shortages
Bangladesh is facing its own energy challenges.
The government has introduced earlier closing times for shops, markets and shopping malls as part of efforts to reduce electricity consumption.
Under the revised schedule, shops and shopping centres are required to close by 8 p.m.
Bangladeshi businesses have reported significant economic effects from the shorter operating hours.
The Daily Star reported that some retailers estimated they were losing as much as 30% of sales following the reduction in shopping hours.
The country’s broader energy problems have also affected households and industrial users.
The Guardian reported that Bangladesh has been dealing with shortages of gas and electricity, with significant load-shedding affecting parts of the country.
Indonesia Introduces Fuel Restrictions
Indonesia has also faced fuel shortages in some areas.
In South Sulawesi, authorities introduced restrictions on vehicle refuelling following long queues at petrol stations.
Reports from Makassar described queues stretching for around one kilometre, with some drivers waiting for several hours.
The measures included restrictions based on vehicle registration numbers and additional requirements for some private vehicles before they could purchase fuel.
The developments illustrate how supply disruptions and high international prices can quickly translate into restrictions for consumers when local supplies become strained.
Nepal Faces Severe Cooking Gas Shortages
Nepal is facing another form of energy disruption, with shortages of cooking gas affecting households and businesses.
The Kathmandu Post reported that LPG bottling plants in the Kathmandu Valley were delivering only a small fraction of the cylinders normally required each day.
Restaurants have been among the businesses affected, while some households have reportedly waited weeks for new supplies.
Nepal is particularly vulnerable to fuel supply disruptions because it imports its petroleum products through India.
Any disruption further along the regional supply chain can therefore create significant pressure inside Nepal.
Middle East Conflict Remains a Major Risk to Energy Supplies
The continuing conflict in the Middle East remains one of the biggest sources of uncertainty for global energy markets.
Oil and fuel supplies can be affected not only by direct damage to production facilities but also by disruptions to major transportation routes.
The Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are particularly important because they are major routes for global energy shipments.
Further military escalation could create additional disruption, although the exact impact would depend on which infrastructure and shipping routes were affected.
Trump Weighed Further Strikes Against the Houthis
The United States has also been considering its response to escalating fighting involving the Houthis in Yemen.
Axios reported that President Donald Trump considered military strikes against the Houthis over the weekend after Saudi Arabia requested additional U.S. support.
U.S. officials said military planners prepared options for airstrikes, but Trump ultimately decided not to proceed.
The decision was significant because military action could have affected shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, another important route for global trade and energy shipments.
Any prolonged disruption in the area could place additional pressure on already elevated oil and shipping costs.
Trump Warns Iran of Further Military Action
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have also remained high.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, Trump said he faced a choice between reaching an agreement with Iran and taking further military action.
Trump said he could “annihilate the Islamic Republic” if an agreement was not reached. He also said he believed a deal could eventually be reached after the U.S. midterm elections.
The comments came as the conflict continued to affect energy markets and shipping routes.
Trump later said that U.S. representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff had met with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the UN gathering.
Iran Warns It Could Change Its Military Strategy
Iran has also warned that any new U.S. attack could lead to a change in its military response.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on September 21 that Iran could change its weapons and the geographical scope of its military operations if another attack occurred.
Iran did not publicly provide detailed information about what new weapons or targets could be involved.
The warning adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile regional situation.
What the Energy Crisis Means for Consumers
The developments in France, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal demonstrate the different ways energy shortages can affect everyday life.
In France, the main problem is currently a combination of high prices and localized fuel shortages.
In Pakistan, authorities are attempting to conserve fuel by restricting business hours and reducing government fuel consumption.
Bangladesh has reduced operating hours for businesses amid electricity shortages, while Indonesia has introduced restrictions affecting fuel purchases in some areas.
Nepal’s shortages have directly affected access to cooking gas.
These situations are different, but they share a common vulnerability: countries that depend heavily on imported energy can be particularly exposed when global supply routes are disrupted.
Global Energy Markets Remain Under Pressure
The latest developments suggest that energy markets remain highly sensitive to events in the Middle East.
Saudi crude supply disruptions, the conflict involving Iran, fighting in Yemen and uncertainty around major shipping routes are all contributing to volatility.
At the same time, governments are trying to protect households and businesses from the impact of higher fuel prices through subsidies, financial assistance and conservation measures.
France has expanded targeted assistance, while other countries are imposing restrictions designed to reduce fuel or electricity consumption.
For consumers, businesses and transportation companies, the key issue will be how long the supply disruptions continue and whether alternative sources of oil and fuel can offset the losses.
For now, France’s latest official figures show that fuel-station shortages have eased from the peak reported earlier in the week, but the wider energy situation remains volatile.
With global diesel prices at record levels and several countries already introducing emergency measures, further developments in the Middle East could have consequences far beyond the region.
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