Phl urged to form new fuel standards

Lauding the recent crackdown on over- blending of methanol in gasoline products, Singapore-based Methanol Institute (MI) urged the Philippines to issue new standards and related policies for the effective use of the blending product to safeguard motorists.

In a statement, MI said it supports efforts of the Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOEOIMB) to ensure high-quality, safe petroleum products for consumers and their vehicles in the country.

Since January this year, DOEOIMB has been conducting inspections of liquid petroleum products in gasoline stations and retail outlets nationwide to test for the presence of methanol and to ensure compliance with Philippine National Standards (PNS) for fuels.

Out of 924 gas stations inspected, 46 gasoline stations were found to have methanol blend ranging from one to 16 percent per volume.

It was discovered that methanol was being added illegally to gasoline while gasoline was being transported to individual filling stations as blending methanol with gasoline products is cheaper than pure gasoline.

But like all other fuels, methanol must be used and handled with care as it is being used safely as a transportation fuel in a number of countries, where stakeholders develop methanol-gasoline blends under approved government standards.

Methanol’s success in transportation fuels in other countries has been due to its economically competitive costs, octane-enhancing properties, and environmental benefits.

“MI believes methanol use in the Philippines can benefit consumers through development of higher-quality, lower-cost, and environmentally-beneficial fuel solutions. Methanol is a liquid chemical that can be derived from natural gas, coal, sustainable biomass, municipal solid waste, and captured carbon dioxide (CO2),” it said.

It urged the Philippine government to develop new fuel standards and related policies, which will be vital for the safe and effective use of methanol in gasoline blends.