Australia: Fuel drought as refinery problems cause shortages

MOTORISTS face the likelihood of petrol shortages amid claims oil companies are using refinery malfunctions to exploit consumers by inflating prices.

Shell confirmed yesterday that its unleaded supplies were “tight” after the breakdown of the catalytic cracking unit at its Clyde refinery.


Shell spokesman Peter Scott said outlets were short of unleaded while 100 sites were without premium unleaded since supplies dried up last week.

The shortages come amid a flurry of other refinery malfunctions up and down the east coast.

Daily Telegraph