A mechanical issue at the Imperial Oil fuel distribution facility in Corner Brook has been having an impact on gasoline supplies at service stations on the west coast this week.
Jon Harding, a spokesperson with the company in Calgary, said the issue at the terminal
is affecting its wholesale customers’ ability to load fuel.
It’s those wholesale customers that distribute fuel to the various service stations around the region.
“We have product at the terminal, but there’s a mechanical issue with loading that is preventing them from loading their normal volumes, so they have to pick up less,” he said.
The problem is only affecting gasoline and Harding said the company is
working with customers to help them as best it can.
He said Imperial Oil is allowing its customers to pick up less fuel or to go to other supply points in Newfoundland.
He would not comment on what customers were affected or what stations they may service. He said if there were impacts at the retail level it could be at any brand.
However, it appeared that Irving stations were the most impacted and in some areas drivers flocked to the pumps over concern of stations running out.
Pasadena Irving posted on its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon that it had run out of fuel, after warning of a shortage the day before, and the Irving on Mount Bernard Ave. was also reported to have run out.
The Irving Big Stop in Deer Lake ran out on Tuesday but was able to get fuel in on Wednesday.
As of Thursday, Irving stations in Roddickton and Plum Point were also out of fuel and the one in St. Anthony was running low.
Harding said the issue is a temporary one and the company was waiting for a part, that had been held up in transit, to fix the problem.
He said the repair could be completed fairly quickly and anticipates the terminal will return to normal operations in the next few days.
In the meantime, he said the company appreciates the patience and understanding of customers as it works through the issue.
A message left with the media relations contact for Irving resulted in an emailed reply from Candice MacLean.
“We are aware of the supply challenges being experienced on the West Coast of Newfoundland,” the email read. “As our supplier works to resolve this issue, we are working hard to limit disruptions to customers at our retail sites in the area. We thank our customers for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.”
