Why Is Oman Considering Introducing M92 Fuel?

For years, Oman has powered its vehicles with a duo of readily available fuels - M95, and its lower grade counterpart, M90. Now, the nation is considering introducing a new calibre of fuel to its existing line-up. Proposed by state-owned Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic), the move will see drivers offered M92 fuel, a new grade of octane petrol.

With the latest February data from Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information revealing that retail outlet fuel consumption for M95 is over 1.2 million barrels higher than M90, the demand for high octane fuel is evident.

A midrange solution

As a midrange fuel, M92 will fall in between M90 and M95 on both the price and quality scales. It will offer motorists a high octane count and improved density, which will help keep injectors clean and facilitate slightly more power per litre. Local media groups have been eagerly anticipating the introduction, with journalists maintaining that the fuel will generate more revenue for Orpic. Demand is pre-existing, which will fast-track sales and rapidly popularise the adoption of the midrange option.  

“Most of the vehicles in Oman require M92. However, as it’s not available, motorists go for M95 and some compromise with M90,” explains Orpic general manager, Hilal Al Hinai. “We are currently studying the possibility of introducing the M92 fuel in Oman. We see a demand for it in the market.”

For Oman, the introduction of M92 would put the nation on par with the sophistication of its fellow Arabian Peninsula nations. The UAE currently offers its motorists a trio of options - M91, M95, and M98.

Making way for fuel #3

Unfortunately for Orpic the move won’t be seamless, as the nation doesn’t currently have the capacity to support three different types of fuel. This means that modifications will have to be made before rolling out M92.

“We doubt that at present the fuel stations have the infrastructure to provide three types of fuel,” comments Tawfiq Al Lawati, a member of the Shura (Consultative Assembly).

As well as providing fuel for on-road motorists, Orpic is also a petroleum industry pioneer. The company is currently fronted by around 2000 employees, all with a common goal of building an integrated Omani refining and petrochemicals realm. For more insight into recent advances in Photo-Ionisation Detector (PID) technology within the petroleum industry, ‘Advance in PID Technology Give Resistance to Humidity Effects and Allow Continuous, Benzene-Specific Monitoring’ offers readers expert insight from Dr. Werner Haag, Senior Applications Chemist at Ion Science.