Global petroleum refiner and fuel maker BP said it is planning to invest more than $130 million at its Whiting, IN, refinery to prepare for the new ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) requirements that go into effect next year.
With the addition of a new Distillate Hydrotreater (DHT), BP said its refinery would have the capacity to produce approximately 36,000 barrels per day of ULSD fuel that meets or exceeds the 2006 on-road regulations that will limit the sulfur content of diesel to no more than 15 parts per million (ppm) compared to the 500 ppm in use today.
“The lower sulfur enables new diesel engine technology to reduce fine particulate emissions along with sulfur emissions,” said Brad Johnson, BP clean fuels project manager.
“The U.S. EPA will require 15 ppm sulfur on-road diesel production beginning in June 2006 at which time 80% of the BP Whiting refinery’s on-road diesel fuel must meet the new EPA specification,” he added. “By January 2010 all on-road diesel must contain no more than 15 ppm sulfur. Off road diesel transitions to the 15-ppm specification in 2010, and locomotive and marine diesel follow in 2012.”
