First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to hold their first face-to-face talks today since the SNP seized power at Holyrood nearly a year ago.
The fuel crisis will be at the top of their agenda during the discussions at Westminster.
Mr Salmond has been in daily contact with the UK Government’s Business Secretary John Hutton since workers at the Grangemouth plant announced their strike plans.
A fleet of tankers is now making its way to Scotland carrying what the first minister described as unprecedented supplies of extra fuel.
Ironically, much of it has been refined from North Sea oil.
Among the ships en route are Antares from Teesport with 5,700 tonnes of diesel and kerosene; BIT Octania from Gothenburg with 10,000 tonnes of diesel; Alsterstern from Amsterdam with 12,000-14,000 tonnes of diesel; Bro Developer from Rotterdam with 14,000 tonnes of diesel; and Anefani from Rotterdam with 14,000 tonnes of diesel. The Humber Fisher from Teesport, with 4,000 tonnes of diesel and kerosene, was docked at Aberdeen last night.
On an average day, Scotland consumes about 6,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, so the additional imports over the coming days represent nearly 10 days of normal supply.
A Scottish Government spokesman said last night: “While there may be some difficulties at the start of the week as filling stations await the additional fuel, if the public continue to refill their vehicles as normal there will be minimal inconvenience and disruption.
“Some Sunday newspaper reports contained inaccurate reporting of the situation, but the facts are that essential services, including ambulances and other emergency vehicles, will receive the fuel they need to continue to operate and provide their services to members of the public.
“Any suggestions to the contrary are entirely without foundation.
“The armed forces have not been involved in the situation and there are no current plans to involve them.”