Chevron Phils wants more tests on coco-biodiesel

Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), formerly Caltex Philippines, said it wants more tests conducted before it sells pre-blended coco-biodiesel products, a company official said.

CPI manager for policy, government and public affairs Mark Andrew Quebral told reporters that the oil company’s main concerns are on product liability.

"Our concern is that there is no engine test being conducted. What they have done are all property tests. Our view is that they should do the proper test as agreed upon," he said.

But Quebral pointed out that they would continue to support government’s efforts to promote the use of alternative fuels.

"We have already raised some concerns on the Biofuels Bill. But at the end of the day, it is still the government that sets the policy.  We will always comply with the law," he said.

On the use of ethanol in the transport sector, he said their concern is on its implementation. "There is no infrastructure yet that would cater to the use of this product."

CPI has submitted its position to Congress on House Bills 4341 and 4426, authored by Reps. Monico O. Puentevella and Luis R. Villafuerte, respectively, and which both mandate the use of coco methyl ester (CME) in diesel fuel. 

"Evidenced by our presence in the Philippines for more than 80 years, we remain committed to openly discussing initiatives with the government agencies whose decisions impact the company and its operations," the company said.

"We are concerned about the adverse effects the CME-laced product will have on both the Batangas-Manila Pipeline as well as the other products (especially jet fuel) that are transported using this same pipeline. We are also concerned about the effects on our infrastructure and products during product receipt and storage at our ports, in view of water-pushing practices," it added.

CPI said the three major oil companies jointly operating the Pandacan Terminal may be hard pressed to construct additional tanks to be used for both CME blending and storage.

The City of Manila and the Department of Energy have ordered the three oil companies to scale down their respective facilities and operations in the each of the companies’ respective terminals, leading to a now scaled-down facility.