Current Fuel Quality Standards and Plans

Presentation by

ALPHA O. WELBECK (MRS.)

NPA

September , 2012

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

• Background • NPA’s Mandate • Emissions from fuel • Fuel Quality Standards in

Developed Countries • Fuel Quality Standards in

the Sub-Region • Gasoline and diesel

sulphur content • GSA Specification and

Compliance • Future Plans

Background

• Need to promote high fuel

quality

Reducing air pollutant

emissions

Increasing engine performance

NPA’S MANDATE IN ENSURING FUEL QUALITY

• Protect the interests of consumers and petroleum service providers

• Initiate and conduct investigations into standards of quality of petroleum products offered to consumers.

HARMFUL EMISSIONS FROM

BURNT FUEL

• SOx

• VOC

• COx

• NOx

• Particulate Matter

Fuel levels in Developed countries

• European Union (EU) has introduced environmental specifications applicable to fuels: a ban on the marketing of leaded petrol and the obligation to make sulphur-free fuels available within the Union. As at 2009 the Proposed Sulfur level in Diesel was 10ppm.

• The U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency(EPA) recommend low sulfur diesel with a maximum of 0.05 percent mass (500 ppm) and, for ultra-low sulfur diesel, it is 15(ppm) maximum

Quality Fuel Levels in the Sub Region

• In March 2006, refiners from all over Africa voted to create an NGO, the African Refiners Association, to represent their interests and to address issues that impact the African downstream oil industry.

• Among the many objectives of the Organization is to improve product specifications.

• The organization has set target dates for the AFRI specifications alongside a number of government initiatives needed to reap the environmental and economic benefits of the product improvements.

Gasoline & Diesel Sulphur Content

• The more recent drive in fuel quality improvement focuses on sulphur reductions.

• Sulphur in fuel is found to be the main contributor to sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions.

• Sulphur is found to reduce the efficiency of exhaust after-treatment systems.

• The degree of required reduction in

sulfur levels varies around the world.

ARA’s Specification Policy for

Gasoline and Diesel

Ghana Standard Authority Specification and

Market Compliance

*Figures for imported products and TOR’s production are average figures compiled in 2011.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT (PLANS)

• A committee is being instituted to deliberate on strategies and action programs towards achieving low sulphur levels in fuel as per AFRI-4 specifications.

Table 3 below indicates Sulphur Reduction Plans in both Gasoline and Diesel expected to be achieved by

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