Chilean consumers will see no increase in fuel prices this Thursday, April 9. The National Petroleum Company (ENAP) confirmed in its weekly report that there will be no variation across its primary references.
Specifically, the price estimates for 93 and 97 octane gasoline remain at 0.0 pesos per liter. Kerosene, diesel, and vehicular LPG are also frozen at current rates, providing a temporary reprieve for motorists and households.
The scope of ENAP’s pricing power
ENAP issued a clarification regarding its role in the domestic fuel market. The company emphasized that it does not regulate or fix final consumer prices, as these are determined independently by individual distributors.
“Enap has among its main functions that of commercializing different hydrocarbon derivatives with distributing companies, which autonomously set the final sale price to their customers,” the state company stated in its report. Because Chile operates as an open and competitive market, the weekly report serves as an informative guide rather than a binding mandate for service stations.
The weekly estimates rely on a variety of technical factors. These include import costs from the U.S. Gulf Coast, which serves as the primary reference market for Chile, as well as maritime transportation expenses.
Furthermore, the pricing model incorporates rules from the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (MEPCO) and the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (FEPP). These mechanisms function to absorb international price volatility, helping to mitigate sudden cost spikes for local consumers.
