BP P.L.C.The company (BP.L) said that despite the government's plea for motorists to behave normally, nearly 1/3 of its UK gas stations ran out of two major grades of fuel on Sunday as panic purchases continued. And insist that there is no fundamental shortage.
After oil companies reported a lack of drivers causing traffic problems from the refinery to the front yard, motorists queued at the gas station for a third day, some waiting for hours to fill up.
Some operators have to ration supplies, while others have to close gas stations.
BP P.L.C., which operates 1200 sites in the UK, said in a statement: "due to strong demand over the past two days, we estimate that about 30 per cent of the sites in the network currently do not have any major grade fuel."
"We are trying to replenish as soon as possible."
The fuel panic comes at a time when Britain is facing several crises: soaring international oil prices have forced energy companies to close down, associated carbon dioxide shortages could derail meat production, and a shortage of truck drivers has wreaked havoc on retailers and retailers.
RDSa.L, the Anglo-Dutch oil group, said demand at its UK gas stations had been increasing since Friday, leading to fuel shortages at some levels.
Transport Secretary Grant Sharps called for calm, saying the shortage was caused purely by panic purchases and that the situation would eventually resolve itself because fuel could not be stored.
"there is plenty of fuel and there is no shortage of fuel at home," Mr Sharps said.
"so in fact, the most important thing is that people can continue to work as usual and refuel their cars under normal circumstances, so that you don't have long queues and there is no shortage of gas stations."