Updated: Tue Aug. 19 2008 17:30:24

ctvcalgary.ca

A gas shortage is causing more and more Petro-Canada stations in our city to run on empty.

The company's refinery has had problems with a machine and that has forced Petro-Canada to ration its fuel shipments.

Alberta and British Columbia are hardest hit by the break down.

As many as 90 stations have seen their shipments stop completely and have closed their pumps.

Some independent retailers also rely on Petro-Canada fuel are also feeling the shortage.

A Fas-Gas station in the city's northwest hasn't had a fuel delivery in days.

Attendants have started selling premium fuel at regular gas prices just to fill the demand, but they say without regular shipments their businesses will be hit hard.

"It's not just the gasoline that we are going to loose out on it's the inside stuff because a lot of people get gas and smokes or whatever they like and if they aren't getting has here, they are also going to get their smokes from somewhere else," said Fas Gas Manager Muied Gelani.

But it could be some time before Gelani gets regular shipments.

It could be another week before the machinery at the refinery is fixed and until then officials at Petro-Canada are looking to other sources for fuel.

The fuel hasn't completely dried up.

Some fuel is still flowing through Petro-Canada's supply chain, but its being delivered in a priority order.

"Some sites stay empty of gasoline for a little longer then others as we try to ensure that the larger, more efficient sites, and in areas where there aren't other gas stations nearby are stocked better," said Petro-Canada spokesperson Kelly Stevens.

In February and March of this year Esso stations faced similar supply shortages when the company's Strathcona refinery also faced mechanical problems.