Spain: Alternative players represent one-third of sites

Operators not associated with major oil brands now account for 33% of the country's fuel station network with 3,941 locations.

This figure represents an increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year, according to data from the Annual Report of the Spanish Association of Oil Product Operators (AOP). Non-historic oil companies have 2,995 outlets, 5.6% more than the previous year; hypermarkets and supermarkets operate 375 outlets, 2% more; finally, cooperatives run 571, 0.8% more.

Major players have been forced to gradually reduce the number of owned fuel stations after the legislation was reformed during the last legislature in order to avoid monopolistic practices. Repsol counts 3,350 petrol stations; Cepsa holds 1,522; BP, 747; Disa, 578; Galp, 570; Avia, 186; Meroil, 152; Ballenoil, 106; and Saras, 90, among others.

Spain breaks gas station record

Spain has achieved its own record number of petrol stations with 11,609 points distributed throughout the national territory in 2018, an increase of nearly 1% over the previous year, according to AOP data.

During the last seven years, coinciding with the worst moment of the crisis, the number of petrol stations has steadily increased by 1,300 stations.