Saving fuel and money: A reality for Shell business partners

MANILA, Philippines - Often overlooked in the transport sector today is the fact that using the right brand and variant of fuel tangibly contributes to cost savings in the long run. This is especially important when large operations are involved, such as those in the public transport industry or large private fleet operations.

Pilipinas Shell highlighted this reality during the company’s first transport forum dubbed “Energy Innovations for Transport Operations” recently held at the Mandarin Oriental in Makati City. The event emphasized Shell’s long-term partnership with customers and business stakeholders, through Shell’s innovative research and development (R&D) team that continuously develops fuel, lubricant and bitumen products to meet customers’ needs for operational efficiency, lower fuel cost, and environmental concerns such as lower carbon footprint.

Shell business partners and dealers were the primary participants of the forum. Partas, one of the biggest bus companies in the Philippines with more than 200 buses transporting thousands of commuters between Metro Manila and Northern Luzon daily, was cited as a compelling case study for Shell’s innovative FuelSave Diesel benefitting the bus company’s business and operations.

“Shell FuelSave Diesel gives three primary reasons why Partas is growing with Shell,” according to Danny Kumar, Shell’s Marketing and Business Development manager for Global Commercial Fuels in the Philippines. “It satisfies what Partas needs, which are operational efficiency, maintenance cost savings and cleaner emissions.”

In the forum, a breakout session on Shell FuelSave Diesel was held wherein samples of the fuel and ordinary diesel were shown to forum attendees to compare their qualities. The samples, when shaken, showed that Shell FuelSave Diesel produces less foam than the ordinary diesel, translating to faster refuelling time and allows more product fill.

Two fuel injectors, one using Shell FuelSave Diesel and the other, ordinary diesel, were also demonstrated to session attendees, who observed the cleaner formulation of Shell FuelSave Diesel. This illustrates the unique feature of Shell FuelSave Diesel that can help to extend the life of engine parts, translating into longer replacement intervals.

Kumar further cited results of laboratory tests on Shell FuelSave Diesel proving that it keeps fuel injector nozzles clean for optimum spraying of fuel and more efficient combustion. In contrast, the same nozzles become obstructed when ordinary diesel is used. In terms of fuel related emissions, Shell FuelSave Diesel produces less carbon dioxide emissions and less black smoke compared to ordinary diesel.

Kumar highlighted another feature of Shell FuelSave Diesel, which was found to reduce fall-off in engine performance. Kumar explained that fuel mixed with biofuel sometimes causes engines to jerk because such components attract water.

“When a fuel has water content, the engine performance is not consistent. The drive is not smooth and power is not sustained when you hit the pedal,” Kumar said. “Using Shell FuelSave Diesel, in addition, helps protect the fuel system from corrosion.”

In a video presentation during the breakout session, Partas president Wilmer Lim reported 2.5 percent to 5 percent savings on fuel and other maintenance cost using Shell FuelSave Diesel compared to previous years when the company used ordinary diesel.

“I found out that the more we use FuelSave, the more savings we are getting,” said Lim. “We’ve been running more trips and yet the fuel consumption is not as high as the previous year.” Lim added that Partas buses have been passing the yearly emission test with flying colors. “Our buses no longer have smoke belching problems anymore,” he added.

Shell FuelSave Diesel is produced in Shell’s refinery using imported crude and additives before delivery straight to customers or to the company’s supply depots in Visayas and Mindanao, Kumar said.

Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, smarter infrastructure, smarter use, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment, through cleaner burning natural gas and advanced fuels and lubricants technology.