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Abu Dhabi: A 115.11 per cent price difference in diesel price has caused massive queues at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) fuel stations, where Dubai-registered vehicles are queuing for cheaper diesel being retailed at Dh8.60 a gallon compared to Dh18.50 sold at Enoc, Eppco and Emarat pumps.
The staff at diesel pumps of Adnoc Distribution in Abu Dhabi said yesterday the oil retailer has set a Dh100 limit on one-time purchases of diesel for small buses and pickups and Dh200 for trucks and bigger buses as they grapple with increasingly longer queues of Dubai vehicles trying to beat the fuel price difference between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The move is aimed at discouraging Dubai vehicles that are queuing up at the Abu Dhabi pumps due to a 115.11 per cent price difference in the retail prices of diesel in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and to thwart the possibility of any illegal trade that may take place due to the huge price differential.
However, police vehicles, Al Ghazal Transport vehicles and government vehicles are exempt from this restriction, the pump attendants said, adding that the waiting time for filling a diesel vehicle often exceeds 30 minutes, such is the rush.
The three Dubai oil retailers buy diesel at international prices and then adjust the local prices, based on the landed cost of the oil product. Abu Dhabi due to having its own crude oil supplies and refinery has been able to keep fuel prices steady.
An Adnoc Distribution official was unavailable for comment when reached by Gulf News. Adnoc Distribution, a subsidiary of Adnoc, is responsible for distribution, storage and transportation of refined products in the emirate.
"The Dh100 limit means that at one time we can't sell more than 11.627 gallons to smaller vehicles in a day. For trucks and bigger buses, our orders are that we sell no more than 20 gallons, or Dh172 worth of diesel through a single filling on a given day," said the superintendent of an Adnoc diesel pump, on the condition of anonymity.
Another Adnoc staff member said that if the queues aren't long, they can sell diesel worth as much as Dh150 for smaller vehicles. "But, only if there's no rush," he added.
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