Total launches CAA-compliant diesel product

Total (Philippines) Corp. introduced recently its low-sulfur diesel product in all of its service stations in Metro Manila.

Total vice president for retail Gilles Cartier said this is part of Total’s continuing efforts to promote the use of environment-friendly fuel, in compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).

He said the low-sulfur content of its diesel fuel already meets the CAA specification that becomes mandatory in January 2004.

"Like other Total petroleum products, the Total diesel bears the same seal of quality excellence that our company’s products and services are known for. This new diesel’s sulfur content was significantly reduced to .05 percent from .25 percent. This will help in reducing smoke emissions that contribute to air pollution," Cartier said.

Meanwhile, Isuzu Philippines recently endorsed Total Diesel as the ideal fuel for Isuzu diesel injected engines.

The direct injection diesel technology and Total’s diesel with lower sulfur content is an excellent collaboration for optimum fuel efficiency, which will result to notably cleaner emission, Cartier said.

Oil companies have committed to fasttrack compliance with the new sulfur specification of the CAA not later than Nov. 1. Under the CAA, the new specs should be adopted by Jan. 1, 2004.

Total is recognized by the Department of Energy (DOE) as the country’s fourth largest oil company.

Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez said Total is not a small player anymore. "We can say that we have the Big 4 now. Total has been very aggressive in the local market."

Total has been very aggressive in expanding its operations in the Philippines. It recently inaugurated its newest oil depot in Manila’s North Harbor.

It expects to invest about P500 million for its Manila oil terminal as part of its aggressive expansion program in the country.

During the inauguration of the two-hectare oil depot, Total president and managing director Jeff Attwood said they have already invested about P280 million for Phase I of the oil facility while another $4 million or more than P200 million will be spent next year.

Total is a subsidiary of Total S.A. which is the world’s fourth largest oil and gas company. It is the leading oil firm in Europe and Africa and operates a 16,000 service stations network in more than 120 countries.