Sale of 92 RON petrol to start from Nov 10

AHMAD AHMADANI

First cargo carrying environment-friendly 92 RON petrol has arrived at Karachi Port and sale of higher quality petrol to the consumers is likely to start by November 10, Pakistan Today learnt on Friday.

The sources at Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources informed this scribe that first cargo of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) carrying 55 thousand tons of Research Octane Number (RON) 92 petrol has reached at Karachi port to protect the environment and boost efficiency of the vehicles. And, the transportation of international standard petrol to the country’s petrol filling stations is to start in one or two days. They told that availability of 92 RON petrol at country’s filling stations was likely by November 10. “However, consumers of petrol will now bear additional Rs 2.60 per litre to fill the tanks of vehicles with environment friendly because 92 RON petrol was expansive to the per litre price of RON 87 petrol in the international oil market, the sources said.

When contacted with spokesman of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) to confirm the information about the import of 92 RON petrol to the country, she confirmed that first cargo of 92 RON petrol has disembarked at Karachi, while second cargo carrying 92 RON petrol is expected to arrive on November 6 or 7, and third cargo of 92 RON petrol is scheduled to arrive at Karachi port on November 11. Currently, the country is using 87 RON premiums, which is almost abandoned by the world.

“Consumers of petrol living in the major cities of Punjab province and Karachi (Sindh) will find 92 RON petrol at the petrol pumps very soon as sale of this international standard petrol to the consumers is likely during next four to five days, sources said. They added that with the import of 92 RON standard petrol to the country it is expected that its use in vehicles will make the environment cleaner, more hygienic to engines, boost efficiency of the vehicles and more mileage per litre.

Earlier, Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on August 18 allowed the introduction of 92 Research Octane Number (RON) premium motor gasoline (petrol) in Pakistan. The decision was part of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources’ plan to introduce petrol — premier motor gasoline (PMG) — of three different grades of better-quality imports to replace the existing petrol of 87 research octane number (RON). The higher-grade PMG imports include 92 RON, 95 RON and 97 RON. The gasoline currently available in Pakistan has a RON value of 86/87.

It is to note here that the refineries, worldwide, have reduced the production of Octane/RON 87, which is weaker fuel as compared to 92 RON. Also, current automobiles are designed at 92 RON or higher grade, while domestic refineries are not capable of producing 92 RON petrol because of their old technologies requiring substantial investments for up-gradation.