Richmond County gas stations are expecting higher gas prices over the next several days due to pressure on fuel suppliers following Hurricane Harvey, but there is low risk of fuel shortages.

President of Swink Quality Oil Gene McLaurin said that there is no reason to panic about gas shortages, despite reports of refineries shutting down.

“Supply is tight, no question, McLaurin said. “The pipeline has been down and will be down over the next couple of days, but as long as everybody doesn’t go out and top off their tanks at once things should return to normal in a few days.”

Swink supplies 10 gas stations in Richmond County and 70 between North and South Carolina. McLaurin said that his suppliers are doing everything they can to get product in place.

Major suppliers like BP and Shell are only giving stations a reduced portion of their normal supply to make sure that everyone has enough.

The Colonial Pipeline, which provides nearly 40 percent of the South’s gasoline and stretches from Houston to New York, is only able to deliver fuel on an “intermittent” basis to stations from Louisiana and further east and northeast. The operators say they will be able to resume service in the Houston area by Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Governor Roy Cooper on Thursday signed executive orders aimed at making it easier for fuel trucks to get to their destinations. One of the orders declared a state of emergency to temporarily lift the cap on how long the trucks can be in service as they travel through the state.

Another executive order declared an abnormal market disruption for gasoline following refinery shutdowns in Texas and Louisiana. This puts into effect North Carolina’s laws against overcharging for gas during a crisis. The law will remain in effect for the next 45 days.

Hurricane Harvey has forced the shut down of eight Texas refineries, and average gas prices nationwide have surged by $0.10 since last week, according to AAA.

Ricky Patel, manager of the Lucky Stop station on Broad Avenue said that his station has enough gas stockpiled for the next three days but estimated that there is a 60 percent chance of a shortage at some point this weekend.

Patel’s supplier for his location in Forest City said “supply is almost non-existent” and would not be able to provide the full amount of fuel. Patel said he expects prices to reach as much as $3 by this weekend.

The owner of Conner Convenient Corporation, Chuck Conner, said that he hasn’t seen any lines for gas since news of the damage in Texas broke, and hasn’t been notified of a shortage at his station. His station is supplied by Swink.

“My heart bleeds for Texas, it could’ve been us,” Conner said. “So far I’m very confident there won’t be a shortage.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach Gavin Stone at 910-817-2674.

McLaurin
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_genemcluarinmug.jpegMcLaurin

William R. Toler | Daily Journal Prices were up to $2.45 per gallon for 87-octane gasoline at several Rockingham gas stations Thursday afternoon and prices are expected to go higher before lowering.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_gasprices_17.jpgWilliam R. Toler | Daily Journal Prices were up to $2.45 per gallon for 87-octane gasoline at several Rockingham gas stations Thursday afternoon and prices are expected to go higher before lowering.
McLaurin: No reason to panic over shortages

By Gavin Stone

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