Forties to shut: petrol dearth fears

Last Modified: 26 Apr 2008
By: Andy Davies

Petrol shortage fears are sparked by a statement that a pipeline carrying a third of North Sea oil to the UK will shut by 6am tomorrow.

Most of the oil brought in through BP's Forties Pipeline is actually exported but still the government has been forced to warn the public not to panic buy.

The closure has been prompted by industrial action at the Grangemouth oil refinery due to start tomorrow.

Grangemouth normally distributes its petrol and diesel by truck at the site's main tanker terminal.

It also distributes fuel by train on the northern edge of the site. It distributes by underground pipe to the west coast of Scotland and by ship from the jetties which lie next to the refinery. It is these jetties which have become critical in this dispute.

This is where emergency supplies have been shipped in since the refinery began losing its production capacity.

Ineos want the union to allow them to keep these facilities open during the strike to help feed the petrol stations.

The union have said no - the only distribution they'll allow from there they say will be for emergency and essential services.