UK Fuel Supply: An update for our customers

The recent UK HGV driver shortages, and the resultant panic-buying activity seen the UK’s petrol forecourts, have been widely publicised in the media and are causing concern amongst our customers.

We’d like to reassure all customers by confirming that there is not a nationwide UK fuel shortage, either for the transport fuel grades or for home heating oil. There remains plentiful product across all grades at the UK’s fuel terminals and refineries.

However, high demand and selected pinch-points in the fuel distribution network have now increased lead times in most of our regions beyond what may be considered as standard for this time of year.

As always, our Sales, Customer Service and Operational teams continue to work hard to support our customers and deliver fuel to homes and businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We’d like to let our customers know that:

Our advice to customers remains the same
Our advice to our home heating and commercial customers remains consistent: please order only when you need fuel, but in good time. Please be honest about your current level when placing orders to allow us to help plan and manage your order as efficiently as possible. Our teams are still able to process new orders for all locations, but please be aware that our lead times in most areas have now increased.

We will always prioritise those most in need
In line with government and industry guidelines, in any periods of high demand or reduced capacity, we will always prioritise deliveries to our Cold Weather Priority domestic customers, and/or those in vulnerable or priority groups classified by the Government (including ‘blue light’ emergency services).

Call volumes are currently very high
Call volumes into our sales and customer service centres across the country have been incredibly high this week, and we thank all customers for their patience. Our teams are working round the clock to field all enquiries and place orders as efficiently as possible.

We will update this guidance regularly
We will publish updates to our website as soon as available.

Issued: 27th September 2021, updated: 29th September 2021