Metro gas stations report lack of fuel supply

MANILA, Philippines – A fuel shortage hit Metro Manila 10 days after the Makati city government shut down an oil pipeline blamed for a gas leak in the West Tower condomi­nium in Barangay Bangkal, according to the gmanews.tv website.

Several gasoline stations in Metro Manila have reported a shortage in fuel supply, although there are no reports that prices will be affected.

Several Shell gasoline stations along Commonwealth Avenue and in Barangay White Plains, both in Quezon City, have posted signs: “Apologies as we ran out of fuel product. We regret the inconvenience.”

Chevron Corp. (formerly Caltex) also reported being affected by the closure of the pipeline, according to QTV’s Balitanghali yesterday.

The Lopez-owned First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) pipeline, which is 40 years old, was closed after geologists confirmed the presence of a leak.

The FPIC’s pipelines supply 60 percent of the metropolis’ crude and refined oil from refineries in Batangas to the Pandacan oil depot in Manila.

The leaky pipeline is the 117-kilometer “white line,” which carries gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products. The FPIC’s other pipeline, called the “black line,” transports heavier petroleum products.

There have been some deliveries from FPIC depots in La Union and Batangas, but this is not enough for Metro Manila, according to QTV.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said some of its gasoline stations have completely run out of supplies of unleaded and premium gasoline, leaving only diesel fuel. FPIC supplies 50 to 60 percent of Shell’s gasoline.

The Department of Energy, however, said any shortage will be temporary. Shell said its fuel supply in Metro Manila is expected to stabilize this week as it will position a supply ship in the Pasig River to transport fuel to the Pandacan depot by barge.