XN000022-1973-11-20 — Page 2

Tuesday, November 20, 1973

OIL COMPANIES ASKED TO CONSERVE OIL STOCKS

The government has asked oil companies to implement specific

measures to help conserve Hong Kong's oil stocks.

In a letter to the six oil companies, the Deputy Colonial Secretary

and Chairman of the Oil Policy Committee, Mr. M.D.A Clinton, said it

seems probable that there will be a reduction in the amount of oil delivered

to Hong Kong during the coming months.

Among the measures to be adopted at this stage, is the maintenance

of adequate bunker stocks so that essential supplies are available for

ships calling at Hong Kong

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To allow for this, Mr. Clinton has asked that the amount of bunker

oil for ships should now be determined by the future supply situation.

If replacements are not forthcoming, deliveries should be reduced to enable

the ship only to reach the next bunkering port.

At the same time, the oil companies have been asked to refrain,

where possible, from providing higher grades of bunker oil than is necessary

for any ship.

In a second measure to reduce the consumption of oil products,

Mr. Clinton has requested the companies to limit strictly the amount of

aviation fuel provided to aircraft. This should be limited to the amount

normally required to cover the route over which the aircraft is flying,

but with regard to the availability of fuel at the next landing point.

Mr. Clinton stressed, however, that in no case would supplies be

so restricted as to endanger the safety of the aircraft.

He emphasised that although stocks are at present normal, further

measures may be needed to conserve supplies during the coming weeks.

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