Petron launches ‘clean’ diesel ahead of sked

Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil refiner, launched yesterday its low-sulfur "Diesel Max" in its newest service station in Batasan Hills/San Mateo in Quezon City.

Petron chairman Nicasio Alcantara said the earlier-than-expected launch of the Clean Air Act (CAA)-compliant diesel is consistent with the company’s commitment to bring to the public clean fuel at the soonest possible time.

Oil companies have committed to comply with the CAA specification on diesel products not later than Nov. 1 this year. Five of the new oil players have already complied with the CAA.

Petron is the first among the big oil players to offer the CAA-compliant diesel to its customers. Ziyad Al-Shiha, Petron vice president for corporate planning, said the dealer spent around P20 million to put up the said gasoline station.

Petron public affairs manager Virginia Ruivivar however, said the company will not immediately adjust the price of its diesel product with the implementation of the new CAA specification ahead of schedule.

"We want to introduce first then adjust the prices probably by December," Ruivivar said, adding that the adjustment in prices of diesel will be at around 20 to 30 centavos per liter.

Petron vice president for marketing Jose Campos said depending on the movement of world crude prices, the company will try to maintain the P15.50 per liter threshold on the price of diesel.

Campos said they will try to slowly phase in the distribution of its low-sulfur "Diesel Max" in Metro Manila next week.

Aside from reduced emissions, a lubricity-enhancer additive has been added to "Diesel Max" to help protect diesel injection pumps while maintaining its superior features. These include effective anti-foam performance, corrosion protection, and improved fuel economy.

In a related development, Ruivivar said they expect the company’s isomerization and gas oil hydrotreater units at its Bataan refinery to be on stream towards the end of 2004.

This $100-million investment signifies the company’s continuing efforts to enhance its refinery and meet the stringent specifications of the CAA.

These additional facilities will make Petron the only refiner in the country capable of producing CAA-compliant fuels to meet its requirements.