Mobil petrol shortages in south
Some Mobil Oil stations in the South Island have run out of high octane petrol, and there are unconfirmed reports of outlets with no fuel.
The owner of the Mobil Murchison station declined to answer questions about his supplies – the station is one of a handful on the inland Lewis Pass route.
According to an official statement from Andrew McNaught, lead country manager, Mobil Oil, ‘‘there would be periods over the next week or so when Mobil service stations in the South Island do not have regular or premium unleaded fuel available.
‘‘We are actively working to put in place alternative supply arrangements to minimise any impacts on our customers.
‘‘Where possible, we have increased trucking from other terminals where supply has not being affected, as well as identifying other near-term supply sources.
‘‘We expect there will continue to be impacts to our customers and service stations over the next few weeks.
‘‘While we are receiving replenishments of fuel at terminals during this time it is likely we will have to continue to closely manage supply arrangements in the South Island throughout the next fortnight and beyond. We apologise for any inconvenience.’’
McNaught attributed the lack of supply to greater than anticipated demand across the South Island over the Christmas and New Year period.
‘‘This has occurred at the same time as we’ve had unforeseen delays in vessel replenishments into Lyttleton, Dunedin and Bluff and a reduction in available port tankage in Dunedin.
‘‘In addition, Mobil has received less gasoline than planned from Refining NZ for the preceding months of November and December,’’ McNaught said.
AA Petrolwatch spokesman Mark Stockdale said 95 and 98 octane made up about 20 per cent of petrol sales.
Some newer car engines required the higher octane fuel, although it would not be significant if motorists used 91 octane as a one-off.
Stockdale recommended that motorists should shop around other brands for the correct petrol.
If owners of cars requiring high octane were unable to obtain 95 octane they could use 98 octane.
Alternately, if higher octane was unavailable they should not wait until their tank was empty but should top up with 91 octane so there was a blend of fuel, Stockdale said.