Fuel supply problems hit as effects of pipeline leak linger

Saturday, 16 December 2017

The effects of September's pipeline crisis are still being felt around the country.

Fuel supply problems affecting petrol stations throughout the country are an after effect of September's Auckland pipeline break.

Motorists have reported having problems buying fuel, particularly diesel, at petrol stations across the country.

The pipeline was again shut down last Sunday following a false alarm, combining with high seasonal demand to heap further pressure on supplies.

A Refining NZ spokeswoman said while the shutdown was short-lived, the industry was continuing to manage impacts to ongoing fuel supplies.

* Inquiry ordered into Auckland fuel pipeline outage**

'Following the RAP outage in September, Refining NZ had been operating the pipeline at a reduced capacity to meet pipeline certification requirements,' she said.

'Coupled with the weekend's short outage, the result is lower than usual stock levels at the Wiri terminal, which supplies fuel to the industry and Auckland Airport.'

The 170 kilometre pipeline connecting the refinery at Marsden Point to Auckland was shut down for 10 days after a leak was discovered on September 14.

The Government has announced an inquiry into the outage.