Shortage of Premium Unleaded

**Lukey** · 21-01-2009 06:45 PM

traralgon bp has been out of ultimate for at least 3 weeks now

been filling up with vpower recently.

**thebigd** · 21-01-2009 08:47 PM

The Brisbane supply of Caltex Vortex 98 appears to be getting back to normal. The recent shortage was due to a misshap at the Caltex Lytton refinery. I believe this refinery also produces BP's Ultimate. I prefer to use these two fuels. I had to fill up with Mobil 8000 over new year as it was all I could get locally. Initially I was a bit worried (getting out of the comfort zone), but can report that performance seemed the same.

**SPQR** · 21-01-2009 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by power_of_dreams

you don't "dig" for 98 octane.

True. It's formulated from an additive extracted from the Rambutan tree in Malaysia; not unlike the spaghetti tree of Sicily and North Africa which is a hairier version of the same species.

**MiSloVic** · 22-01-2009 04:19 AM

I can still get 98 from caltex and shell and mobil in SE melb yesterday. I know of shortages in brisbane due to problems at some refineries, but have not heard of shortages in sydney and melb. What i observed is, some stations put 'not in use' signs on some premium pumps regularly, every tuesdays and wednesdays. When you ask, they will give some 'faulty pump' 'out of petrol' reasons. I recall a few months ago, on today tonight, some stations are faking those reasons, to prevent people from using those pumps... Limiting 'loses' during those heavily discounted days.

**BiLL|z0r** · 22-01-2009 06:41 AM

That wouldn't surprise me. My BP had all 95's down yesterday but all 98's working. The tanker was there at the time so maybe it was filling the 95's and I'm just sceptical.

**Crapdaz** · 22-01-2009 07:27 AM

is that why fuel prices havent gone under $1/L for the past few days!!!

**traumatized** · 22-01-2009 08:06 AM

has anyone noticed that with the recent drop in normal unleaded prices, 98ron has jumped up from the normal 10c or 11c price difference.

been to a few mobil's and caltex which previously has 98ron 11cents more than 90ron unleaded but now have jumped to 14cents and 13cents

**power_of_dreams** · 22-01-2009 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by SPQR

True. It's formulated from an additive extracted from the Rambutan tree in Malaysia; not unlike the spaghetti tree of Sicily and North Africa which is a hairier version of the same species.

!!!!?!?!

**Crapdaz** · 22-01-2009 10:45 AM

hahahahaa

**power_of_dreams** · 22-01-2009 11:10 AM

What I was meant to say is that you don't specifically dig for 98 octane petrol. You either stop digging for oil or stop making it by distillation.

**MiSloVic** · 22-01-2009 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by traumatized

has anyone noticed that with the recent drop in normal unleaded prices, 98ron has jumped up from the normal 10c or 11c price difference.

been to a few mobil's and caltex which previously has 98ron 11cents more than 90ron unleaded but now have jumped to 14cents and 13cents

yes. the difference was increased when 91ron petrol hit $1.7/ltr. it has not reduced since then.

the price differentiation used to be:
6 cents between 95 and 91; and
4 cents between 98 and 95.