U.S. fuel supplier files for bankruptcy, leaving local gas stations scrambling

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

HOUSTON, Feb. 9 (Chinese media) -- Financial problems-inflicted U.S. fuel distributor Crescent Oil Company Inc. has filed for bankruptcy, leaving local gas stations scrambling for a new supplier, local media reported on Monday.

The Kansas-based company, which supplies fuel for gas stations in at least six midwest states, filed for bankruptcy protection last Friday at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Kansas City, according to the Kansas City Star.

The bankruptcy came after several retailers in the midwest last week reported not receiving regularly scheduled deliveries of fuel and being out of fuel.

Some affected stations still have no fuel but most appear to have found new suppliers, the report said.

Crescent supplies fuel for more than 340 locations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana. It's a wholesale supplier of Conoco-Phillips, Shell, Valero and British Petroleum gasoline.