ANP finds irregularities in fuel prices in 12 states

The National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) inspected stations and distributors of liquid fuel and LPG (cooking gas) in 14 municipalities in the country between the 22nd and 25th of May. Irregularities were found in prices, equipment and composition of fuels in almost all locations. Mato Grosso and the Federal District were the exceptions.

Actions were taken after the change in Petrobras pricing policy, announced on May 16th. They had the support of Procon and other consumer protection bodies, and were part of the National Campaign for the Fair Price of Fuels, an initiative of the National Secretariat for Consumer Protection (Senacon). There was also participation from other public bodies, such as the Civil Police of São Paulo, the Institute of Weights and Measures of Paraná (Ipem/PR) and the State Police Station for Repression of Crimes Against Consumers of Goiás (Decon-GO).

Establishments fined by the ANP can pay fines ranging from R$5,000 to R$5 million. Consumers can report irregularities in the fuel market directly to the institution’s website or by calling 0800 970 0267 (toll free).

Goias

In the state, ANP agents were in 31 municipalities. They analyzed the quality and quantity of fuel offered at metering pumps. Among the problems encountered, a highlight was a gas station in Itumbiara that sold fuel with an alcohol content and mass different from the required standard. In Goianira, 4.4 liters of lubricating oils not registered with the ANP were seized. And in Jataí, there was an interdiction and seizure of a 23,000-liter tank of ethanol. The company producing biodiesel was fined for carrying out the activity without authorization from the ANP.

For

There were 11 gas stations inspected in the municipalities of Igarapé-Miri, Cametá and Barcarena. Two service stations were fined for lack of equipment to analyze the quality of fuel, a test that may be required by the consumer.

Amazonas

Eleven fuel stations were also chosen, in addition to an inland navigation dealer (TRRNI) and six distributors. In Itapiranga, a gas station had a defective standard measure of 20 liters.

Alagoas

There were 13 gas stations inspected in the cities of Cajueiro, Capela, Ibateguara, Chã Preta, Santana do Mundaú and Viçosa. In Cajueiro, establishments displayed incorrect fuel prices and equipment irregularities. In Santana do Mundaú, a service station was fined for lack of an instrument for quality analysis.

Bahia

Inspection at 38 gas stations in the cities of Bom Jesus da Lapa, Correntina, Riacho de Santana, Salvador, Santa Maria da Vitória and São Félix do Coribe. In Bom Jesus da Lapa, Santa Maria da Vitória and São Félix do Coribe, nine service stations were fined for not following safety standards, irregular supply pumps and not providing essential information to consumers.

Ceará

Ten economic agents, including aviation fuel distributors, fuel distributors, gas stations and LPG resellers were inspected. In Fortaleza, a gas station sold ethanol outside specifications.

St. Catarina

Ten stations were inspected and two LPG resale companies in the cities of Campo Alegre, São Bento do Sul, Mafra and Rio Negrinho. In Mafra, a station sold products with irregular volumes.

Rio Grande do Sul

The inspectors visited 20 gas stations, three LPG dealerships, one LPG distributor, two retail transporters-retailers (TRRs) and one fuel distributor in the cities of Carazinho, Marau, Passo Fundo, Progresso and Porto Alegre. In Porto Alegre, eight gas stations were fined for poor pump conservation conditions and lack of mandatory fuel measurement and analysis equipment.

Paraná

ANP actions took place at 17 service stations and at a fuel distributor in the cities of Campo Mourão, Cianorte, Curitiba and Maringá. In Curitiba, a gas station was fined for having a defective thermodensimeter (equipment attached to an ethanol pump to check quality aspects).

Rio de Janeiro

29 economic agents were inspected, including gas stations, LPG resellers, biodiesel producers, liquid fuel distributors and LPG distributors. The municipalities were Duque de Caxias, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Barra Mansa, São João de Meriti, Resende and Cabo Frio. In Duque de Caxias, a station had hydrous ethanol nozzles banned because of irregularities.

Minas Gerais

Inspection took place in the municipalities Belo Horizonte, Betim, Contagem, Igarapé, Santa Luzia, São José da Lapa and Vespasiano, Águas Formosas, Araxá, Ataléia, Crisólita, Ibiá, Novo Oriente de Minas, Pavão, Pratinha, Santa Juliana and Teófilo Otoni. In total, 91 establishments were analyzed. In Belo Horizonte, a gas station was fined for not operating at the minimum time required by law. In the capital, in Betim, Contagem and Santa Luzia, five stations were fined for irregularities in the fuel price panel.

São Paulo

Inspections took place in 43 establishments in the cities of Americana, Barretos, Cajamar, Olímpia, Poá, Santo André, São Paulo and Taboão da Serra. In the capital, a service station was fined for breaking seals and removing from previous prohibition strips. In Santo André, a station had 14 nozzles and four tanks banned for selling common gasoline and common hydrous ethanol outside the mandatory specifications.