Gasoline and diesel to compensate for the loss of production are made available. A corresponding energy control regulation will be issued by the Ministry of Climate Protection today.
A mechanical incident in the main distillation plant of the Schwechat refinery on Friday claimed two minor injuries. Commissioning of the refinery, which has been on a maintenance shutdown since April 19, will now be delayed. The surveys on the exact extent of damage are still ongoing.
In order to ensure that the reserves are released quickly, the necessary approval in the Main Committee of the National Council will be given afterwards. The parliamentary parties have been informed of this procedure according to government information. The release serves exclusively to secure the supply of necessary fuels until the damage has been repaired or alternative deliveries arrive in Austria.
The oil reserve includes the average Austrian oil consumption of 90 days. Not only crude oil, but also finished fuels such as petrol and diesel are part of this reserve. Of these, 112,000 tons of diesel and 56,000 tons of petrol are now released. Overall, the reserve stored in Austria is reduced by the consumption of six days.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) emphasized in a broadcast that the security of supply with fuel was secured despite the incident: “Nobody has to worry about that.” The reserves are there for precisely such cases. According to Infrastructure Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), it is not yet clear how long it will take to repair the damage. In order to bridge longer repair work, part of the state oil reserve is being released. Extra petrol and diesel would be provided for 14 days.
Source: Nachrichten
