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Closed oil pipeline causes MManila fuel shortage


(Updated 9:30 p.m.) Ten days after an oil pipeline was shutdown for a supposed a gas leak in Makati City, several gas stations in Metro Manila have reported a fuel supply shortage this weekend although there were no reports that gasoline prices were affected. Several Shell gasoline stations along Commonwealth Avenue and in Barangay White Plains, both in Quezon City, have posted signs saying, “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" on Sunday. The 40-year-old pipeline of the Lopez-owned First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC), which transports around 60 percent of Metro Manila’s crude and refined petroleum needs, was closed after geologists confirmed the presence of a leak.

The FPIC has two main pipelines transporting petroleum products from oil refineries in Batangas to terminals in Pandacan, Manila. The damaged pipeline is FPIC's 117-kilometer “white line" that carries gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products. Its 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 motorists in Metro Manila, reported QTV. Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said that some of its gasoline stations have completely run out of supplies of unleaded and premium gasoline, leaving only diesel fuel. Shell is experiencing “temporary tightness but mostly in differentiated fuels," said an official of the company. According to Shell, 50-60 percent of its gasoline supplies come from the FPIC pipeline. Any shortage experienced by gas stations will only be temporary, according to the Department of Energy. Shell added that its fuel supply in Metro Manila is expected to stabilize during the coming week, as they plan to position a supply ship off the Pasig River to maximize barging activities of petroleum products to the Pandacan Depot in Manila. Meanwhile, the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) extension has been opened to help avert a shortage in aviation fuel, said South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) spokesperson Alma Tuazon. “Aviation authorities were relieved when jet fuel, with reserves that will last for another day, were secured to keep the country’s planes airborne," she said. The SLTC will continue to work with oil companies, the DOE, and the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure that the SLEX is maximized in averting the possibility of a more widespread fuel shortage, said Tuazon— KBK, GMANews.TV
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