Local
The Ministry of Oil is facing challenges in securing gasoline fuel, as it announced a daily deficit estimated at around 5 million liters. This comes amidst a surge in the country's daily need for gasoline during the summer season, reaching approximately 35 million liters, necessitating intensive efforts to ensure stable supplies and meet the growing demands in the local market. In its diligent endeavor to secure citizens' needs for petroleum derivatives, the Ministry's spokesperson, Salim Al-Rikabi, clarified that the Ministry has resorted to importing quantities of premium gasoline from external sources via its southern ports. This crucial measure aims to bridge the gap between the local refineries' production capacity and the actual consumption volume, thereby addressing the existing deficit in national fuel supplies. However, the process of importing premium gasoline is not without its difficulties at present, due to the changing security conditions and regional situations, according to Al-Rikabi's statements. He stated that the Ministry faces a real challenge in finding companies capable of offering sufficient and available quantities of premium gasoline for sale in international markets. Al-Rikabi pointed out that current efforts have resulted in contracting with only one company that operates a single tanker. Upon the arrival of this tanker and the unloading of its cargo, fuel stations are immediately supplied with the necessary quantities of premium gasoline. Nevertheless, he noted that after this tanker departs, it takes approximately four days for the replacement tanker to arrive. During this interim period, the Ministry relies on its available stock, which often leads to fewer quantities being supplied to stations and temporary shortages in some areas. To address these challenges and ensure continuity of supply, Al-Rikabi affirmed that the Ministry is working to overcome the existing shortages. The Minister of Oil has directed the search for another company and an additional tanker to serve as a permanent backup, with the aim of guaranteeing uninterrupted supply operations and complete coverage of all required quantities of premium gasoline. He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that work is actively underway to provide premium gasoline more stably, anticipating a significant improvement in supply operations soon, which will meet citizens' needs and curb any potential future shortages.
