Pemex Diesel Fuel Update
There is some important new information to share regarding the availability of ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) in Mexico. Over the past month (February 2017) I kept pestering a half dozen public rel...
Forum Discussion
In the past few days I was able to view a laboratory sample test of diesel imported to the Tepeixtles terminal near Manzanillo. It was ULSD with sulfur quite a bit LESS than USA 15 ppm. I was told the diesel came from Asia by tanker and is distributed up to Puerto Vallarta, which probably explains the lack of problems for Snowbirds in that area this past winter.
And yes, I have PERSONALLY drawn several samples of fuel from Northern Baja stations and had them tested at a lab in the USA over the past 18 months. All were ULSD except for one station where it was apparent that there was a mix of ULSD and LSD in the tank. A second test at that station a month later found that sulfur levels had dropped to 18.6 ppm, which suggests that most of the LSD had been diluted out by subsequent deliveries.
As for color, there can be color differences between the stock from different refineries but it is NOT possible to determine the sulfur ppm from the color. The only reliable method is a lab test.
I continue to be somewhat trusting of the Pemex list of ULSD stations because my own testing, along with other information being leaked to me, and the lack of sulfur-in-fuel problems being reported in some areas this winter, suggests that the list is accurate.
And yes, I have PERSONALLY drawn several samples of fuel from Northern Baja stations and had them tested at a lab in the USA over the past 18 months. All were ULSD except for one station where it was apparent that there was a mix of ULSD and LSD in the tank. A second test at that station a month later found that sulfur levels had dropped to 18.6 ppm, which suggests that most of the LSD had been diluted out by subsequent deliveries.
As for color, there can be color differences between the stock from different refineries but it is NOT possible to determine the sulfur ppm from the color. The only reliable method is a lab test.
I continue to be somewhat trusting of the Pemex list of ULSD stations because my own testing, along with other information being leaked to me, and the lack of sulfur-in-fuel problems being reported in some areas this winter, suggests that the list is accurate.
