British refinery closure sparks fears of petrol queues

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — British motorists could face petrol shortages in the next few days after one of the country's biggest oil refineries shut down Friday ahead of a strike over pensions.

The Grangemouth plant, west of Edinburgh in Scotland, was shut down by owners Ineos ahead of the action by its 1,200 workers on Sunday and Monday.

Energy giant BP was also making preparations to close the neighbouring Forties pipeline, which brings in oil from the North Sea and delivers a third of Britain's daily output.

The pipeline cannot function without electricity and steam generated by Grangemouth.

Energy minister Malcolm Wicks admitted the strike could hit petrol supplies and urged people to behave "sensibly and rationally."

"I cannot guarantee that every...