Some Areas See Fuel Shortage

By Dan Bewley and Scott Thompson, The News On 6

TULSA, OK - There was a big drop in oil prices on Tuesday.  Prices dropped to just below $107 a barrel.  On Monday, the price of crude made its biggest one-day gain in history.  Analysts say the drop may be a sign that oil is getting ready to make another big climb.  

The roller-coaster ride is causing some major problems along the east and gulf coasts.

Tulsa's QuikTrip is one of dozens of companies selling gas in Atlanta experiencing a shortage of fuel, forcing customers to wait hours and causing cars to wind around the block.   

Drivers in Atlanta are getting their own shock at the pump, there's hardly any gas.

"I've been to three gas stations so far this morning and all three have zero gas and it's getting frustrating to be honest with you," said one Atlanta resident.

Plastic bags cover the pumps and signs offer apologies to drivers.

Some 780 miles away, Tulsa-based QuikTrip is working to get its fuel to the Peach State.  The company has 111 stores in the Atlanta metroplex, right now only half of those have fuel.

"We're waiting, searching, trying to find when's the next pipeline circle coming through. How many barrels are in it?  All these kinds of things. But, in the meantime, it's not only frustrating for the consumer, but for us.   I mean everybody.  It's a nightmare," said QT's Mike Thornbrugh.

The problem started with Hurricane Ike.  Refineries in the gulf coast were shut down.  Then, last Friday a rush for gas in Atlanta caused stations to run dry.

"It's one of those deals where you can't turn a switch.  It doesn't work that way. Refineries take a week to two weeks to get back up. It takes a while for the pipelines to get back to 100% capacity and the meanwhile you have all this gasoline supply just being absorbed and it takes a long time to build," said QT's Mike Thornbrugh.

Thornbrugh isn't worried about the same happening in Tulsa.  He says Atlanta is a special circumstance.

The city gets all of its fuel from the Gulf Coast.  While Tulsa gets fuel from all over, refineries in Oklahoma as well as Missouri and Kansas.  For now, it's simply a waiting game.  One Atlanta residents are hoping comes to a quick end.

The price of gas in Oklahoma City is close to 20-cents less than it is in Tulsa.       

Triple A says it doesn't have an explanation, but says typically one company will set the price for the market and in Tulsa that company is QuikTrip.

A  QT spokesman says he can't comment on gas prices in Oklahoma City because the company does not have any stores there.  He adds gas at QuikTrip is always at the low end of the market price.