Mandan, N.D. (AP) A spokesman for the oil refinery in Mandan says it's selling as much fuel as it can, to help ease shortages at pipeline terminals in the region.

Leif Peterson says the Tesoro refinery in Mandan is taking care of its own customers first and then allocating fuel to others.

Governor Hoeven and petroleum marketers said last week that refinery slowdowns elsewhere in the region are forcing truckers to wait longer at pipeline terminals to get fuel, and they worried that service stations would run low. Hoeven issued an executive order that waives the limit on how long drivers can be on the job if they're hauling fuel.

Peterson says it appears to be a short-term problem. He says the Mandan refinery is running at full capacity.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-02-07 0959CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list