In response to significant disruptions in fuel supply, Slovenia has enacted temporary restrictions on fuel purchases at petrol stations. This decision aims to stabilize the market amid rising demand and logistical challenges affecting the distribution of petroleum products.
The Slovenian government is closely monitoring Petrol, the nation’s largest fuel distributor, emphasizing the need for an uninterrupted supply. Concurrently, the Interior Ministry has been assigned to investigate whether Petrol has adequately reported its supply issues to law enforcement authorities.
Current reports indicate ongoing supply difficulties within Petrol’s network, while MOL Group, another key player in the region, has managed to maintain a stable distribution chain. Consequently, Petrol has been directed to swiftly formulate an operational recovery plan, which must be presented to the Energy Minister by a specified deadline.
Additional measures include a call for a shareholders’ meeting aimed at initiating a special audit of Petrol’s logistics and supply operations dating back to mid-March. Authorities have also commenced inspection procedures, with police evaluating potential grounds for investigating economic offences or threats to public safety.
Petrol has countered these allegations, attributing the shortages to a surge in demand driven by the ongoing energy crisis and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The company asserts that its internal crisis management teams are actively engaged in efforts to monitor and adjust supply flows, highlighting that limited government support cannot adequately address the unusually high consumption levels.
As tensions escalate with governmental authorities, Petrol is advocating for systemic solutions, particularly calling for reforms in the fuel pricing framework. The firm has also arranged a Supervisory Board meeting to address what it describes as misleading claims regarding its operations and to discuss the current challenges facing the sector.
