BajaCactus
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 5-22-2004
Location: Km. 55, carretera transpenisular, El Rosario, B.C.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Helpful
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Petrol
For the first time in more than 16 years, we ran out of Gasoline at BajaCactus (Premium and Magna)... there have been other minor problems on all of
these years that sometimes have impeded us to sell gasoline (electrical outage, technical issues, etc.), but most of the times they have been resolved
within 20-30 minutes... however we had never ran out gas... until yesterday (April 9th).
You see, every gas station between Ensenada an Guerrero Negro gets supplied by the Pemex office in Ensenada (El Sauzal actually)... there are no other
supply centers in this region.
Well, this office closed last Wednesday (April 4th) at 3:00 pm, for the holidays, and they did not open until yesterday (Monday 9th) at 7:00 am, with
no concern whatsoever for the fuel supply in their area... they just went home to enjoy the weekend.
Now, we knew there was not going to be any hope for refueling during the weekend, so, at BajaCactus, we waited until the last minute to make our order
of fuel... and as a result we had our tanks topped Wednesday at 8:30 pm... there was nothing else we could do now.
We are talking of almost a quarter million of liters of gasoline. The usual storage capacity for a rural Gas Station is around 120,000-140,000 liters
(100,000 lts in the city)... because of the location of our Gas Station we installed almost double the usual capacity.
By Sunday (April 8th) almost every gas station in San Quintin was out of fuel... we still had a few thousand liters to go. On Monday morning we were
the first in line to order more fuel at Pemex Ensenada... but they began filling the delivery tank trucks until 10:00am... by this time we were almost
out... at this point we began to ration the selling of fuel, so everyone could get a chance to keep driving.
Finally, at 12:30 pm... we ran out of Premium and Magna (Diesel we had plenty). Customers driving in, told us that they only saw one Gas Station
between Ensenada and El Rosario pumping fuel, in San Quintin.
Our next shipment of fuel was on the way... but still 6 hours away... it was very stressful and frustrating to see all our customers just waiting...
and we could do nothing at all to help.
Our shipment arrived at 7:14 pm... and only Magna... Pemex has no Premium in storage. It seems this shortage of fuel was a general situation, everyone
was complaining about it. We now know that we were one of the last Gas Stations to ran out of fuel.
In all these years, keeping a continuous fuel supply at our Gas Station has been quite difficult and time consuming, always on the watch of our tank's
levels (24/7), always taking into account the time it takes the tank trucks to drive from Ensenada, always struggling, trying to keep the balance. We
had always managed to keep a constant flow, however, this time, all our efforts were not sufficient.
I would like to apologize to anyone who was affected by this situation; however, as you can see, it was totally out of our control and even though we
did our best, it simply was not enough.
BajaCactus
"Where the Baja is so much more than a dream..."
[Edited on 4-10-2007 by BajaCactus]
BajaCactus
"Where Baja is so much more than a dream..."
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3837
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Being educated about the logistics of Baja Norte's gasoline supply is very valuable in itself. Thanks, Antonio.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3720
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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Very interesting, and informative
Antonio, that is probably more than I ever thought I needed to know about Baja gas, but it was fascinating to read.
And, my friend, I know what a straight shooter you are, and your personal credibility makes it totally believable (as opposed to other versions that
may or may not be out there)
Quarter million liters is a lotta gas....
And I thought our little mini-caravan bought a lot from you last month!
Whew!!!
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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The premium gasoline was in San Felipe - they have been out of Magna for a while - This afternoon they had both.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64946
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you Antonio, as the only Pemex distributor who is also a Baja Nomad, your gracious time to explain the situation is most appreciated!
The fact that you filled your tanks the last day you could and ordered more fuel the first day it was available again is proof of your concern for the
Baja traveler and there was nothing else you could do.
Pemex, the government controlled oil monopoly, shows really poor management by allowing this extended vacation for everyone at their Ensenada
distribution center!
Thanks again Antonio!
[Edited on 4-11-2007 by David K]
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KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1209
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
Member Is Offline
Mood: Press On Regardless!!
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The Pemex station in Mulege, on the highway, was out of Magna last Wednesday.
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