'Green' fuel to be produced in Azerbaijan
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijan will produce A-98 gasoline of green color in an effort to protect the rights of consumers, the state oil company SOCAR said Wednesday.
Manufacturing this brand of green gasoline is to be carried out under recent changes made to the motor gasoline standards. The changes concern data on the types and amount of oxygenate which will be used in the production of gasoline.
In accordance with the amendments, SOCAR started producing A-92 gasoline in red color in January 2013, while A-95 brand gas is manufactured in its natural color.
Based on the state standards, the Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery produces gasoline of three types - A-92, A-95 and A-80. Currently, A-92 gasoline takes the lion's share in overall production - 94.6 percent, while A-95 has a share of 4.7 percent in total production and A-80 less than one percent.
The recent amendments to the state standards make it possible to produce A-98 gasoline domestically. The timing of commissioning such a production line is yet to be announced.
Azerbaijan is importing A-98 gasoline from Romania, Turkey and even Greece, to meet the demand of many vehicles which are to use gasoline with octane grade not below 98.
Azerbaijan has only two refineries with a total producton capacity of 16 million tons per year. The Heydar Aliyev Baku Oil Refinery focuses on the production of light petroleum products and Azneftyag refinery produces dark petroleum products.
SOCAR includes Azneft production association, which runs onshore and offshore oil producing companies, Azerkimya production association, and Azerigas production association.
SOCAR is the only producer of oil products in the country and also owns petrol stations in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Romania. SOCAR has a network of gas stations in Switzerland as well.
SOCAR is also a co-owner of the largest Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim.