Oil color change faces 3-month delay

BANGKOK, 10 February 2010 (NNT) – There will be a three month delay in colors added to fuel to identify the fuel types, according to Peerapol Sakarin, director-general of the Department of Energy Business.

After the color change began from 1 February 2010, most petrolium businesses have yet to made changes as most oil refineries, tank farms, and oil services still have much fuel left in their stock. The director-general explained that the newly changed colors could confuse users when sold with the old oil.

The color change of petroleum benzene 91 will be delayed until April 2010 with benzene 95 and diesel B up until March 2010.

Based on the latest reports, 61% of the color change has been completed by oil refineries while the rest or 39% is oil in the old stock. The department has called for oil refineries to expedite the color change as soon as possible.

The director-general reported that there have been reductions in energy usage, including oil, NGV, and LPG, in all sectors due to oil price hikes. The global oil price is currently 72 USD/barrel.