Fuel Supply update 1 pm, 8 September 2010

This is a message on behalf of Mobil NZ to confirm that there is no fuel shortage in Canterbury and fuel is being distributed from Woolston.

There is also no truth in the rumoured reports that a fuel tank is on fire in Lyttelton.

Update: 4:21pm

Mobil provides the following comments to assist in dispelling any concerns/rumours about the current fuel supply situation.

As requested of Julie Rea, Mobil provides the following comments to assist in dispelling any concerns/rumours about the current fuel supply situation.

•There is no fire or other damage to Mobil oil terminals at Lyttelton and Woolston, or to the pipeline between the two over the Port Hills, which is impacting the supply of fuel to the Christchurch area

• Mobil is not aware of any fire or significant damage at other oil company facilities, although we cannot speak for other companies

• There continue to be significant aftershocks in the area following Saturday's major earthquake and when such seismic activity occurs pipeline and other oil transfer operations cease automatically

• We then need to conduct inspections and testing of our fuel facilities, including the pipeline, to confirm their integrity before recommencing normal fuel supply operations

• Mobil has sufficient fuel available in our Christchurch terminals to meet current demands

• In view of the continuing seismic activity in the area and the disruptions that can cause we are managing fuel distribution out of Woolston terminal under standard oil industry "fuel supply coordination" arrangements

• The next shipment of fuel into Lyttelton is scheduled for next week (Sep 14, with subsequent one on Sep 16)• Supplementary fuel supplies are available from other oil company terminals in the South Island (Timaru, Dunedin, Nelson)

• A number of Mobil service stations (currently 6) in and around Christchurch are not operating either because they are in areas of the city which have been closed to public access or because they have suffered damage which we need to assess/make safe - they are not closed because of any shortage of fuel.