Country’s Oil Firms Start 5% Biodiesel Blend

Oil companies will start offering a higher biodiesel blend February 6, 2009 as mandated by the Biofuels Act of 2006.

Department of Energy (DOE) director Mario Marasigan said the National Biofuels Board (NBB) has assured of a smooth transition in the implementation of the higher biodiesel blend.

“All systems go. We do not see any problem,” Marasigan said.

The Philippines has been lagging behind the utilization of alternative fuels in Southeast Asia. Thailand, for instance, is already offering B5 or five-percent blend on their diesel products. It is also in the process of exploring the use of B10 and B20. Read more

PTT Philippines Launches Ethanol-Blended Gasoline

PTT Philippines Corp. (PTTPC), the local arm of PTT Public Ltd. Co. of Thailand, launched last January 28, 2009 its new ethanol-blended gasoline, Performa 95+.

PTTPC president Siripong Phoungpaka, said they have invested about P6 million to be able to comply with the ethanol blend requirement under the biofuels law.

Under Republic Act 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006, oil companies are required to blend five percent ethanol in their gasoline products starting Feb. 6, 2009. By 2010, this blend will be increased to 10 percent. Read more

Chevron Philippines to invest $20M in Ethanol Program

Chevron Philippines Inc. (formerly Caltex) will invest some $20 million for its ethanol-related initiatives.

During the launching of its E-10 blended gasoline, Chevron brand manager Dominic Timbancaya said the amount will cover expenses for pipes and tanks for ethanol processing over the next two years.

Local oil firms have been investing capital to comply with the mandated 10 percent blend of ethanol under the Biofuels Act to be carried out in January next year. Read more

Petron Procures Ethanol from Leyte Agri Corp

Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil refiner, has started the procurement of locally-produced ethanol from Leyte Agri Corp. (LAC).

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the publicly-listed Petron said the purchase is consistent with its commitment to promote the use of indigenous alternative fuels.

Petron said they would use the fuel grade ethanol from LAC to blend with its E10 Premium gasoline. Read more