by The fuel shortage in Ukraine has become a thing of the past, moreover, there is now a clear trend towards cheaper fuel. Since the beginning of the year, gasoline has lost about 10% of its price. At the same time, two important trends have emerged in the fuel market – firstly, due to the availability of resources, individual gas stations in small towns and villages have resumed trading, and secondly, due to the actions of the aggressor, a significant part of the so-called mini-refineries in Ukraine has ceased to operate. These are semi-legal, or more often illegal producers with very low processing depth, which in Ukraine have already earned the nickname “samovary”. They used to flood the market with low-quality fuel. How have these factors affected the overall picture of gasoline quality? This was analyzed by experts from the Institute of Consumer Expertise.
So, researchers collected samples of A-95 gasoline in the largest nationwide networks (WOG, SOCAR, OKKO, ANP, PRIME, AVIAS, MARSHALL, AMIC, SHELL), as well as from serious regional players (Kyiv KLO and AVANTAGE 7, Zaporizhzhia ZOG and PARALLEL, Poltava’s BVS, Dnipro’s NEFTEK, Kharkiv’s OVIS, and the networks CHIPO and U.GO). Experts also paid attention to small networks operating in district centers and small towns (24/7, KRAFT, LN ENERGY, DNIPRO OIL GROUP). In addition, “branded” types of A-95 gasoline in major networks, namely SOCAR NANO, WOG MUSTANG, OKKO PULLS, KLO VENTUS, SHELL V-POWER, were also checked.
Experts divided the lab results into zones – green, blue, and red. The first included networks whose results met Euro-5 standards, the blue – samples with no violations but “without margin of safety,” i.e., on the borderline of acceptable values. And finally, red – the networks whose fuel did not meet the profile DSTU standards. Samples were tested for key parameters – octane number, sulfur content, and the volume of aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene.
Green zone (“branded” A-95). In this group, there were no surprises, as is typical for premium fuel. All samples received an “excellent” rating. Experts noted the absence of harmful sulfur in the SOCAR NANO sample (only 3 mg/kg). The highest octane reserve was with WOG MUSTANG (96.7), and OKKO PULLS had the lowest benzene level (0.42%).
Green zone (standard A-95).
A total of 9 networks were leaders in the green zone, marking a record for recent research years. WOG, SOCAR, OKKO, KLO, PRIME, AVANTAGE 7, CHIPO, ZOG, and OVIS. The parameters of gasoline purchased from these networks were significantly better than DSTU requirements. Firstly, the most important engine parameter, the octane number, was tested. The standard is set at no less than 95 units. The highest values were recorded at WOG (97.6) and SOCAR (97.5). Excellent – OKKO (96.6) and PRIME (96.5). The “ninety-fifth” KLO, CHIPO, ZOG, and OVIS also exceeded 96 units. With such octane numbers, the engine operates at full power, and fuel consumption is more economical. Next, the sulfur content was determined, one of the most important indicators of engine longevity and resource. Minimum values were found in A-95 gasoline from SOCAR, ZOG, and AVANTAGE 7 networks (6 mg/kg each). This surpasses the Euro 5 allowances. Regarding aromatic hydrocarbons content, all participants were within the norm, with OKKO showing the best at only 24.6%, and CHIPO (24.5%). Another important indicator tested was benzene content. This toxic substance should be minimal in gasoline, as its increase “kills” the catalyst, can reduce engine resource tenfold, and may cause cancer in pedestrians. The “cleanest” gasoline was at KLO (0.38% with a norm of no more than 1%), OKKO, and WOG (0.40% each). Overall, the results of the “green” zone clearly indicate quality products from European plants with a high level of oil processing.
Blue zone
A large group of gas stations, mostly low-costers, fell into the blue zone. These networks usually sell cheaper than market leaders. A-95 gasoline at BVS, MARSHALL, AMIC, SHELL, NEFTEK, PARALLEL met the Euro 5 standard, but with indicators closer to limit norms. An interesting trend is that networks that used to be regulars in the red zone have “moved” to this group. Coincidence? Experts think not, and the reasons for the metamorphosis are described below.
Red zone
This time, the red zone mainly featured gas stations of small regional networks and individual stations, usually trading in small towns and villages. The only exception to the rule is the nationwide networks ANP and AVIAS, but these companies have been generally unstable recently, so the results are not surprising. Strangely, the octane number was much lower than necessary in only one sample purchased at the 24/7 gas station in the Dnipropetrovsk region – 92 units. This is a clear marker of homemade fuel produced in artisanal conditions. Concerning harmful to the environment and air sulfur – an excess of thirty-five (!) times was found in a KRAFT gas station sample (352 mg/kg with a norm not exceeding 10). But even this was just a paltry parody compared to the truly “cool” guys – the sulfur amount in the DNIPRO OIL GROUP sample exceeded the norm by 70 times, i.e., 706 mg/kg. That’s astronomical. The volumetric fraction of toxic benzene in these networks’ samples also kept pace. In KRAFT’s gasoline – nearly four times the excess (3.82%), and in DNIPRO OIL GROUP it’s over sevenfold! Let us remind you that this is a dangerous compound that causes deposits and engine overheating. With such an enormous amount of benzene, health problems for drivers and pedestrians are practically inevitable. Indeed, as is the almost guaranteed failure of the car.
Overall, the research results revealed several interesting trends. Firstly, the amount of counterfeit resources on the market has significantly decreased. Experts definitely link this to the reduction in the number of artisanal production, the so-called mini-refineries. The largest ones were destroyed by Russian bombs and shells, others reduced volumes due to resource and logistics problems. That is why many networks from the “red” zone moved to the “blue”, as they now have to trade imported fuel. And the amount of artisanal fuel that remains has mainly gone to small regional networks, as they do not require significant volumes. Therefore, drivers from small towns and villages are advised by experts to drive an extra few kilometers to a large gas station to avoid trouble.
Vadim Krivenko
