Australian petrol stations running dry despite assurances of well supplied market

The government released fuel from its reserve and has 30 days of diesel stored. Read more at straitstimes.com.

PERTH – Several hundred Australian fuel stations are out of either petrol or diesel despite Australian ministers assuring the public the market is well supplied, local media reported on March 24.

New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, has 165 stations without diesel and 298 without at least one type of petrol, The Sydney Morning Herald said on March 24, as consumers stock up amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

Energy minister Chris Bowen confirmed to Parliament that petrol stations in multiple states were facing shortages.

On March 24, Mr Bowen also rolled out another relaxation of fuel standards that would allow more diesel into the market after earlier lowering sulphur standards.

Mr Bowen said the six-month adjustment would lower the “flashpoint” of diesel to 60.5 deg C from 61.5 deg C, which would increase supply from Australian refineries and international sources.

“In effect, Australian refineries will now have more flexibility for making diesel and widen the markets from which we source diesel,” he said in a statement.