Pre-tax petrol prices in Spain are among highest in EU

SPAIN Deregulation and a lack of competition are the main causes of high fuel prices in Spain, according to a recent study by the European Commission. Only Denmark and Malta have higher pre-tax prices for petrol, and Spain is eighth among the EU's 28 for diesel fuel prices. Prices at the pump, though, which include taxes (boy, do they include taxes!), has Spain at about the middle of the price range, which means that the oil companies are making more profit than might be reasonable (we are preparing an item on petrol price-fixing in Spain). Consumer organizations have for years been asking for a governmentally-established maximum such as was in force until the late 1990s, when the market was opened up under the excuse that this would bring in more competition. A spurious argument, it turned out, and a problem that no government has wanted to deal with - a situation of which the oil companies have been very quick to take advantage.>>>

Petrol and diesel prices up by almost 2% in a week

Fuel prices in Gibraltar remain lower
SPAIN As usual, the summer holidays bring with it an increase in prices at the pump. Petrol is up to €1.45/litre, and diesel, €1.36, according to the EC's Oil Bulletin. This has been so since the beginning of July - yes, the beginning of the holidays in Spain (and many other countries in Europe), when some 80 million vehicles are expected to begin their annual peregrination, plus a larger influx of tourists is expected. Fuel prices have gone up by 2.3% since July 1, and by 3.4% for the same week last year, despite the fact that Brent oil prices are showing signs of stabilisation. Prices in the rest of Europe>>>

Campo de Gibraltar gets cooking oil recycling containers

In Jimena this morning

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR Jimena residents may have noticed some new orange/red containers in several parts of the municipality, where six have been installed recently. Getting rid of used cooking oil has been a problem for most households for a long time. The usual method has been to put it down the sink, but this is very bad for the water tables (one litre of oil can contaminate up to one million litres of water!). Some 114 special containers, with capacity for 420 litres, have been distributed in the Campo de Gibraltar, many at strategic points such as close to municipal markets and at Puntos Limpios (recycling centres). An important part of ARCGISA's Servicio Comarcal de Recogida Selectiva de Aceites Vegetales Usados (Regional Used Vegetable Oil Collection Service) is that bars, restaurants and other such establishments can request a special 25-litre drum that will be exchanged for a clean one at regular intervals. They can ask for it at their nearest ARCGISA office.

Filling car for long weekend costs 24% more

SPAIN (Agencies) If you're planning to spend the weekend other than at home, you will find that filling your tank with diesel fuel will cost an average €1.308 per litre, or 24% more than last year, though 95 octane petrol is only 15.8% more expensive at €1.354/litre. But the base price of oil has gone up by a lot more, at 49.5%, so how is the difference explained? Brent oil is not in dact passed on immediately nor in its entirety to the forecourt pumps, though it may seem that way to the ordinary motorist. This is because 48% of the pump price is for taxes, another 10% is for storage - neither of which is impacted by the Brent price. Therefore, the market price will affect only the remaining 40% of the price it takes to fill the car for the weekend. Bon voyage!

Congress agrees on Tarifa oil exploration

TARIFA (Agencies) An ammendment to another law that had approval of oil exploration licenses tagged on, was approved recently by the Chamber of Deputies. There was a debate on the licenses for prospecting close to the Marine Reserve at Islas Clumbretes, opposite Valencia, up to 35 miles off Ibiza, on the coasts of Málaga and Cádiz, under which was included the Straits of Gibraltar, off the coast at Tarifa. Although arguments against the proposals included the awareness of danger to protected areas, marine life and the environment because of the possibility of spillage by platforms and shipping, the approval scraped through.

Petrol in Spain up by 1% in one week, 5% in a month

SPAIN (Agencies) The price of petrol in Spain now averages €1.321 per litre (diesel is €1.289) throughout the country, according to the EU's Oil Bulletin.This works out at an increase of 1% for petrol in a single week, to historical levels of over €1.30: and a 5% increase in petrol pump prices in a month - diesel went up by 7% in the same period. The government has been taking emeregncy measures to try to cut down on oil imports, which account for over 75% of energy imports. Among these measures is a reduction in the top speed limit to 110kph and a reduction in rail fares. Last night, the price in Gibraltar was £0.99 (€1.17 approx.) for unleaded, and £0.96 for diesel.

Oil prices up here, too - surprise, surprise

SPAIN (Agencies) The price of petrol (gasolina) at the pump went up this week in Spain, as well as anywhere else. The litre went up by 1.285%, and diesel (gasóleo) by 1%. That means that to fill up an average car with 50 litres of petrol will cost €64.25, almost 9 euros more than it cost a year ago. And it's all Ghadaffi's fault. (It probably went up in Gibraltar, too; can anyone confirm?)

Ministry accepts environmentalist's appeal against oil prospecting

TARIFA / LOS BARRIOS

The Ministry of  Industry, Tourism and Commerce has accepted to study the appeals made by environmentalist group Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción against oil exploration near Tarifa and Los Barrios, which had been given the okay by its Directorate for Energy Policy and Mining. The group alleges that prospecting in the areas known as Ruedalabola and Tesorillo would have severe environmental impact on a good part of Tarifa and, less so, on Los Barrios, even if, as proclaimed by the administrations and politicians, a source of gas is found.