Bahrain: Special petrol pumps for a new “super fuel” have been installed in three areas with plans to roll them out in several stations in the coming days.
The Octane 98 provides consumers with a third option, alongside Jayyid and Mumtaz, and has a higher octane rating that ensures better engine performance.
Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza yesterday said that the UAE-imported fuel is being offered at a fixed price of 195 fils per litre for promotional purposes, but would be later sold at varying market prices.
He said the super pumps have been installed in three petrol stations – Busaiteen, Sanabis and Sakhir – as part of a trial phase.
Other petrol stations in Tubli and Hoora will also offer the fuel in the coming days followed by stations in Saar and Riffa.
The National Authority for Oil and Gas is setting up the new pumps in collaboration with Bapco.
“We are still assessing super fuel, exported from the UAE, considering that it is confined to a limited market as it is for high performance engines like Ferrari and Porsche besides potential expected profitability,” Dr Mirza told the GDN exclusively.
“It is now offered in three locations with us targeting four more in Tubli, Hoora, Riffa and Saar by the end of this month as part of the first testing phase.
“We only allow stations with proper tank space and lineage for useable pumps to offer super fuel and not all stations fulfil our criteria or are capable of offering it.
“In some strategic locations that we want the fuel to be available, we may consider providing technical support for the move, but again it will all depend on how things progress.”
The availability of super fuel, alongside locally produced Mumtaz (Octane 95) and Jayyid (Octane 91), was based on directives from the Cabinet to improve the fuel market.
“The move to introduce super fuel has come after we studied adding more options from just being confined to Mumtaz and Jayyid and here we are exploring a bigger market – early indicators show positive signs, but again we need to reach an acceptable target,” explained Dr Mirza.
“We could end up with 10 petrol stations offering the fuel and we could go up to 30, the fuel will be available, but the issue of it being accessible is what we are concerned about.”
In January the government increased prices of Mumtaz petrol by 60 per cent to 160 fils per litre, while cheaper Jayyid fuel increased by 56.25pc to 125 fils per litre as part of cost-saving measures prompted by low oil prices.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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