Sharjah’s executive council on Tuesday issued Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) with an ultimatum to resume the supply of petrol or face permanent closure of its branches in the Northern emirate.

Should Enoc not comply, the Dubai company risks losing exposure to the Sharjah retail fuel market, a threat compounded by Abu Dhabi’s crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s reported decision to increase the amount of petrol supplied to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) stations in the northern emirate.

The ultimatum will come into effect on Friday 24 June.

“The Executive Council directed the Sharjah Economic Development Department to close down all stations and facilities owned by Enoc Group after 72 hours from Tuesday, June 21, if the group fails to resume operations at all its petrol stations in Sharjah,” the council said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting.

According to media reports, Adnoc Distribution is increasing fuel supply by up to 40 per cent in its 59 stations in Sharjah and the remaining four northern emirates.

Enoc and its subsidiary Emirates Petroleum Products Company (Eppco) have stalled on deliveries to the Northern emirates for a month, blaming station maintenance work.