Gas tanks are empty at some Circle K’s

Some Circle K gas stations in Arizona ran out of fuel Monday, but the problem does not appear to be with the pipelines that supply the state with fuel.

The company, owned by Canadabased Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., said it was working to refuel the stations, and did not say how many were affected or where they were.

“Circle K is experiencing fuel outages across Arizona due to a ‘perfect storm’ of unforeseen circumstances including isolated issues with its pipeline, refinery supply source and ethanol distribution,” spokeswoman Donna Humphrey said via email.

“The situation has been exacerbated by the customary fuel blend change at this time of year and high fuel demand due to spring break.”

Arizona requires different blends of gasoline during different seasons to mitigate air pollution. Hot and cold weather create different air-pollution problems, so fuel requirements change with the seasons.

“Everyone in the Arizona Business Unit, Circle K’s global fuel department, and our supply partners are working hard to correct the situation,” said Tim Tourek, vice president of operations Arizona, in a prepared statement. “We expect it will be several more days before we are back to full capacity.”

A clerk who answered the phone at the Circle K at 6349 S. McClintock Drive in Tempe confirmed there was no fuel at that station at 2:30 p.m. Monday but could not comment and directed questions to the corporate office.

Some stations in the Tucson area were affected, and several more were out of gas in Yuma, according to a TV station there.

Arizona has no fuel refineries and gets its gasoline via pipelines from Texas and California. The Arizona Corporation Commission regulates pipeline safety and spokeswoman Holly Ward said Monday there are no known problems on the supply lines.