Fri, 06/27/2008 - 18:25
Sinopec ends diesel rationing in Shanghai, gasoline shortages may remain
Shanghai. June 27. INTERFAX-CHINA - China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation's (Sinopec.) Shanghai sales subsidiary ended diesel retail rationing yesterday due to improved supply, but some gas stations may still face gasoline supply shortfalls during the daytime due to fuel transport restrictions, industry insiders told Interfax today.
In the face of limited supplies, Sinopec's Shanghai sales subsidiary started to ration diesel sales about one month ago, allowing each vehicle a maximum of RMB 500 ($72.67) worth of diesel per filling.
However, since the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) raised retail prices for gasoline and diesel by 17 percent and 18 percent respectively on June 19, Sinopec's diesel supplies have recovered, prompting the company to lift the restrictions, a service representative with Sinopec said.
Sinopec has warned that its gas stations in Shanghai could run short on gasoline supplies during daylight hours due to safety restrictions on gasoline transport in summer. Gasoline can only be transported between 4 p.m. and 6 a.m. from June 15 till October, according to a source at a Sinopec gas station in Shanghai.
The source said that Sinopec gas stations normally receive diesel and gasoline supplies of over 5,000 liters from Sinopec every month.
-LCL
