Petrol stations in Sharjah that have been closed for years are starting to reopen, bringing relief to motorists in the city
Many petrol stations run by oil retailer Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) had closed in 2011, triggering a fuel crunch in the emirate. Now, they are once again opening in phases after being re-branded as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
The Al Dar service station on Al Ittihad road was the first one to be refurbished and reopened, and now has eight fuel dispensers. The Al Dar station, which opened on 30 June, is currently the only open service station on the entire stretch of the major highway to Dubai.
ADNOC CEO Abdullah Al Dhaheri was quoted in a company statement as saying that the distribution company is “working to finalise the reopening of the 24 remaining service stations in a phased manner after conducting the overhauling and maintenance works, as well as the health, environment, safety and IT checks.”
ADNOC had signed an agreement with ENOC last year which transferred ENOC’s 25 service stations in Sharjah to ADNOC. As per the agreement, the transfer of all non-operational service stations in Sharjah to the ADNOC network will be completed by the beginning of 2016.
ADNOC operates 31 service stations in Sharjah at present, and other than ENOC’s 25, it has also acquired another 29 service stations from Emarat.
