Fierce Battles and Gas Shortage Fuelled by Tribal Seizure of LPG Tankers [Archives:2005/862/Front Page]

Sanaa, July 25 – Apparently, as part of the widespread protests against the recent partial uplifting of fuel products (gasoline, diesel and gas), tribes in the Mareb area have seized Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG – source for commercial propane and butane gases) container tanks that are heading to Sana'a and other cities of Yemen from the Gas Processing Plant in Mareb. rn
rnThe tribesmen in the Mareb area have repeatedly called for a greater share of what they perceive to be their oil and have now turned to seizing LPG tankers. This has caused a serious shortage of commercial propane and butane gas, which are the major cooking fuel and vehicle fuel for gas operated vehicles used in Yemen. rn
rnThe government has tried to release seized tanker vehicles and to halt further interruption of tanker traffic, but the tribesmen have refused to abdicate. There is now ferocious fighting between the Government forces as near as 40 km northeast of Sana'a, along the Al-Jouf – Marib – Sana'a Road, where the army and other security forces have begun an assault on some of the tribesmen holding out in that area. rn
rnThe tribesmen are using all the weapons at their disposal, including artillery, mostly made up of mortars and some howitzers, RPG's, machineguns and automatic AK-47s. There are no reports yet of casualties on either side, but the fighting is said to be heavy, with the government using tanks, and other heavy weapons. rn
rnThere are unconfirmed reports that some aircraft are also used in the assault. The LPG is derived from a small gas processing plant that liquefies some of the the gas accompanying the extracted oil from the Mareb fields, which is said to be rich in natural gas. The gas is turned into propane or butane for refilling into gas cylinders in Sana'a and distribution to consumers. rn
rnMost of the gas is still re-injected back into the wells pending the completion of the Yemen Liquefied Natural Gas Project (YLNG) project after which Yemen will begin to export bulk quantities of LNG to Southeast Asian and other markets, from Behalf in Hadhramaut Governorate (Starting maybe in 2008. rn
rnLong lines of gas cylinder buyers and auto gas vehicles can be seen throughout the city of Sana'a at gas cylinder distribution stores and gas stations, where vehicle gas is sold. Prices for cylinders have sold for 150 to 200% of the recently announced gas cylinder price of YR 400.
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