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| Sunday, 2 February 2003 |
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Gulf War.... ? : CPC braces with contingency plans by ANTON NONIS With tension mounting in the Gulf region, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), has taken steps to stockpile petroleum products to full capacity, Deputy General Manager (Planning and Development) Ranjith Wickremasinghe told the `Sunday Observer'. At the present rate of consumption, the available stock is estimated to last just for another month. CPC up to now has been placing their orders with their suppliers once a week. However, from now on it has increased the quota. According to Wickremasinghe, orders are being placed almost daily, as indicators shown an increase in the rate of consumption. Crude oil suppliers to Sri Lanka are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Abu Dhabi and Malaysia. In addition to Crude oil for the refinery, stocks of refined products of petrol and diesel are all purchased from them. An official of the CPC's Commercial Division said that each crude oil shipment is around 90,000 metric tonnes while refined products is 40,000. Shipments take about two weeks to get across here. CPC officials warn consumers to stock their oil requirements as an added precaution. Although huge CPC stock available, still shortages may occur, if a war breaks out. Of the three major fuel variety, petrol, diesel and kerosene, petrol is said to be the most difficult item when it comes to keep extra stocking arises, being highly volatile. According to Wickremasinghe, as there are no contingency plans for petroleum products, people are warned to store in sufficient quantities, (petrol, diesel and kerosene). Limited facilities for storage have made the CPC to urge the public to stock their own supplies and face scarcities. CPC foresee that there might even face difficulties in finding vessels to transport oil from the Middle East. Even if ships are available, the transport cost would be very high. The increase in rates may have to be passed on to the consumer, CPC officials said. |
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