A Controller described a confused and unanticipated fuel shortage declaration that led to confusion and a significant increase in workload. The reporter suggested the rules governing fuel issues need revision.

Narrative

Atlanta Center advised me that Air Carrier X was minimum fuel upon hand off. Based upon traffic and other operational conditions at the time; I anticipated no 'undue' delay in Air Carrier X's arrival. Even with weather prominent in the Atlanta Terminal Area; and the Southeast United States for that matter; I expected Air Carrier X to fly at 250 KTS to midfield downwind; then reduce to 210; turn base and reduce to 180 and be cleared for approach and land; just like the previous 300 arrivals during the evening shift so far. What I did not expect was that when abeam the airport; Air Carrier X declared that he could fly no farther than a fifteen mile final or else would have to divert. Atlanta Approach; during triple ILS operations; routinely; turns final no closer than twenty miles and more typically 22-25 NM. It would have been unsafe to pull three or four aircraft off a triple parallel operation for an MD88 who could have flown an additional twenty two miles and landed normally; with everyone else. I was moderately busy at the time and the insane amount of coordination which had to be done; placed the ten arrivals behind him and the five departures under him all at risk for an operational error. Approach positions; FLM; TMC; DR N; DR S; P; HO P would be affected. The flightplan had to be amended; coordination had to be done to turn Air Carrier X out of the downwind and opposite direction to the arrivals and departures; clear him to AGS and accomplish point outs to two departures and a hand off to the Center. I understand the IFR rules about fuel requirements; however; instead of flying twenty two miles farther (total) than a fifteen mile final caused an aircraft to fly an additional 140 NM and land at a location other than where they wanted to be. The amount of workload placed upon the system by this flight crew action increased the risk and potential for incidents in a highly congested and complex environment. The rules and regulations should permit the PIC to make an educated and informed decision based upon actual conditions and probability to continue and make a safe landing at the original airport of destination when they are already in the terminal area of the destination.