Business Continuity Guidance for Businesses
Loss of availability of oil and fuel
If fuel distribution ceased, petrol stations and commercial supplies could be exhausted within 48 hours, with normal levels fully restored 10 days after the emergency.
Underpinning risks:
This scenario may arise following industrial action by fuel contract drivers or if there is international disruption in oil supply.
Central government could take emergency powers under the Energy Act 1976. This would enable the Government access to one or more of the emergency response tools available under the National Emergency Plan for Fuel, including:
- Forecourt Supply Management to restrict the amount of fuel that retail customers can purchase at any one time under a 'Maximum Purchase Scheme' in order to conserve fuel available at sites and to provide a fair allocation to customers;
- Under the Emergency Services Scheme and Utilities Fuel Scheme essential blue light and utility logoed vehicles would have access to fuel through designated filling stations.
- Under the Commercial Scheme, fuel would be prioritised to truck stops and HGV motorway filling stations to help keep food, health and transport supply chains operational.
- The Bulk Distribution Scheme to prioritise individual grades of fuel to bulk customers including domestic allocation of marine and aviation fuels.
Link to further details on response tools under the National Emergency Plan for Fuel
BCM Implications:
- Businesses should consider the impact of lack of availability of fuel on their supply chains and operations, as well as considering the impact on employees' transportation arrangements.
- At any given time there will be a quantity of fuel held ready for use (e.g. in car fuel tanks) - there may be merit in planning to limit the use of this fuel to critical activities only.
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