Shell Shuns MTBE
HOUSTON -- Shell Oil Products Co. U.S. said it will discontinue the use of MTBE as an oxygenate in their gasoline products supplied in the State of California by the end of 2002.
The conversion will take place one year in advance of the sate-imposed deadline effective Dec. 31, 2003.
"This switch to ethanol is the embodiment of our earlier commitment to move away from MTBE in our products as soon as it was feasible," said Rob Routs, president of Shell Oil Products. "We feel certain that the necessary supply of ethanol is available and are working diligently with permitting authorities, as well as our industry partners to ensure that the necessary infrastructure systems are in place by the end of 2002."
Shell operates a branded network of nearly 9,000 branded convenience stores and gas stations in the Western United States, including approximately 3,500 in California. Shell Oil Co. is also a 50-percent owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining Inc., which refines and markets branded products through 13,000 stations in the Eastern and Southern United States.
The conversion will take place one year in advance of the sate-imposed deadline effective Dec. 31, 2003.
"This switch to ethanol is the embodiment of our earlier commitment to move away from MTBE in our products as soon as it was feasible," said Rob Routs, president of Shell Oil Products. "We feel certain that the necessary supply of ethanol is available and are working diligently with permitting authorities, as well as our industry partners to ensure that the necessary infrastructure systems are in place by the end of 2002."
Shell operates a branded network of nearly 9,000 branded convenience stores and gas stations in the Western United States, including approximately 3,500 in California. Shell Oil Co. is also a 50-percent owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining Inc., which refines and markets branded products through 13,000 stations in the Eastern and Southern United States.