Bapco, the national oil company of Bahrain, on Sunday said that there was no shortage of diesel in the country and steps have already been taken to ensure the uninterrupted diesel supply as well as clamp on possible smuggling of diesel.
According to the statistics the diesel consumption is roughly about 7574 barrels a day while Bapco produces over 85000 barrels a day. Making sure that diesel supply to the domestic market Bapco has spent $11 million on new storage and supply facility in Sitra called Advanced Bulk Diesel Facility.
“There has been no shortage of diesel in Bahrain but the inefficient retail distribution must have contributed to the concerns of the end consumers,” Jassim Isa Al Shirawi, General Manager Oil and Gas Affairs at NOGA told a media during a press conference.
“The retail distribution network is currently being reviewed to make sure the uninterrupted supply of diesel in the country in addition to put a lid on possible smuggling,” Al Shirawi told media while responding to questions during an onsite press briefing of newly built Advanced Bulk Diesel Facility in Sitra area.
Al Shirawi, who was joined by Noorudding Ebrahim Manager Local Marketing Department at Bapco and Zakaria M.Y. Sulaiman Manager Petroleum Products Sales at Bapco, said Bapco has put a maximum limit of 4000 litres of diesel to bulk customers at any of its retail outlets across the Kingdom.
“The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain is keen on providing subsidised fuel to customers and private sector as part of the strategy and guidelines of the wise leadership,” Al Shirawi, said.
“Noga has been working closely with Bapco over past few days to ensure the supply of the required quantities of diesel to all petrol stations across the country,” he said.
“Bacp has the capacity to ensure the daily supply of petroleum products in the Kingdom of Bahrain including diesel and steps have already been taken to address all issues related to consumers,” he said.
“Through this gradual process, Bapco will shift all bulk sales to the Bulk Diesel Facility in Sitra making sure that retail outlet just cater to the needs of the consumers on daily basis,” he explained.
Talking about the smuggling, he said that Bahrain spent to the tune of BD200 to BD280 million a year on petroleum products subsidy and Bapco has been vigilant to pre-empt any possible smuggling of these products including diesel by working with other government departments on all grounds and sea channels.
“Since 1983 the prices of the petroleum products are same in Bahrain while the regional countries and the global markets have seen manifold increase in the prices, make Bahrain vulnerable to the possible smuggling. There are currently number smuggling cases are being investigated and Bapco is taking no chance to see any repeat in of this practise again,” Al Shirwai assured.