Oil Ministry Clarifies Fuel Crisis, Promises Improvement

The Ministry of Oil clarified today, Friday, that the congestion at fuel stations results from a gap between production and consumption volumes, promising a tangible improvement in fuel supplies starting today. Salim Al-Rikabi, the Ministry of Oil spokesman, stated that the ministry has resorted to importing enhanced gasoline from abroad to compensate for this deficit, relying on shipments via maritime routes. Al-Rikabi highlighted that regional events and ongoing conflicts create logistical challenges for tanker movement, causing delays in their arrival or docking at ports. He explained that the ministry currently has only one contracted tanker due to the region's volatile security situation. He added that the tanker's unloading, reloading, and return process is time-consuming, leading to supply shortages at stations. To mitigate this, Al-Rikabi revealed a ministry plan to employ multiple tankers, aiming for greater flexibility in meeting daily petroleum product needs and strengthening the strategic reserve. Al-Rikabi urged citizens to take sufficient gasoline and avoid crowding at stations for limited quantities, stressing that this behavior worsens congestion and queues. He also called for disregarding rumors linking the overcrowding to the economic model of the refining and distribution sector, assuring that refineries are operating at full capacity to secure citizens' fuel needs.