Fuel quality

Fuel quality: more than three decades of continuous improvement

Within the "Energy that Transforms" strategy, in the SosTECnibility chapter that seeks to boost the energy transition, Ecopetrol is working on offering a portfolio of high quality fuels that contribute to reduce the carbon footprint and provide better air for Colombians.

In a proactive and anticipatory manner, the Company has made progress in complying with fuel quality specifications in accordance with the standards: CONPES 3943 of 2018, Law 1972 of 2019 and resolution 40103 of 2021.

The work for the improvement of fuel quality in Ecopetrol has been going on for more than 30 years, and intensified since 2018. The Ecopetrol Group has been advancing the necessary studies to define the adjustments in the refineries and the national system of polyducts in order to comply with the regulation and dynamize the changes that are coming in the near future.

The importance of reducing the sulfur content in fuels is associated with two issues: the reduction in SOX produced in combustion, which results in lower direct contributions to air pollution, and making the entry of vehicle fleets with better technology feasible, which in turn is also reflected in less pollution and greater efficiency in fuel consumption.

The graphs show the path established in recent years by the regulation in terms of improving sulfur content: 

DIESEL

Regulatory evolution of diesel in Colombia

In this fuel, indispensable for cargo and passenger transportation, a decrease to a maximum of 25 parts per million sulfur (ppm) and 10-15 ppm was achieved in 2018 and 2019 respectively, values that were maintained during the COVID 19 pandemic, despite variations in supply and demand.

For 2021, the sulfur content in diesel remained on average at 13 ppm, a value that is much better than that defined in the regulation of up to 20 ppm.

Additionally, for Transmilenio, diesel is delivered with a maximum sulfur content of 10 ppm, equivalent to the sulfur content of Euro VI diesel, within the commitments acquired in the air quality pact of the city of Bogotá.

REGULAR MOTOR GASOLINE   

Ecopetrol produces basic gasoline (regular and extra), with qualities that are aligned with Resolution 40103 of 2021.

However, this improvement process has been taking place in Ecopetrol for several years, and as of December 2020, from Barrancabermeja, the product is delivered in refinery mesh in averages below 90 ppm of sulfur, even reaching values below 50 ppm.

To achieve this, technological improvements and maintenance were necessary in the gasoline hydrotreating unit (Prime G) and in the T-171 tower (gasoline separator), in addition to the optimization of production processes. In order to comply with Resolution 40103 of 2021, which requires a gasoline quality of 10 ppm in sulfur content as of 2030, Ecopetrol requires new investments and improvements in its refineries, which are in the process of definition and structuring.

The evolution of gasoline quality

EXTRA GASOLINE

Since 2018, an improvement plan has been developed for this fuel, which as of October 2019 became visible with production at an octane level that places it in the range of the so-called "premium gasolines" worldwide.

The Antiknock Index ADI was increased from 87 to 91, which is equivalent to a RON 94-95. In addition, the sulfur content has been reduced in line with motor gasoline.

The improvement in octane rating facilitates the arrival in the country of automotive technology with lower environmental emissions and greater efficiency and performance (Euro VI technology).

NGV

In 2021, the natural gas (NGV) growth strategy was launched with the following assumptions:

• A contribution of ~20 GBTUD of new demand in heavy vehicles (buses - trucks) between 2021-2024, a growth of 41% compared to the average consumption in 2020.
• Ecopetrol has $43.8 billion (cut-off Dec. 2021) to continue encouraging the natural gas vehicle market in Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, Bogota, Llanos, Huila/Tolima, Santander, within the framework of the "Collaboration agreements to encourage the transport, commercialization, distribution and consumption of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles".
• The strategy is aimed at boosting growth (factory vehicles dedicated 100% to natural gas) and protecting the base (current market).
• With the new Fuel Gas Law 2128 of August 2021, the possibilities of expanding NGV coverage in the cargo and passenger transportation segment becomes relevant given the economic benefits and guaranteeing a minimum fuel gas fleet.
• Ecopetrol, together with the agents of the gas chain and third parties, structure a financing program aimed at the small transporter allowing them to renew their vehicles and generating a growth dynamic in gas demand.

Advances in the sector:

• The vehicle fleet of vehicles dedicated from the factory to natural gas concluded 2021 with 4,061 vehicles operating, of which 926 are part of the segment of light and heavy load vehicles (trucks, tractor-trailers, minimules and garbage compactors), 2,996 buses rolling in the mass and strategic transportation systems and 139 cabs, representing a growth of 64% compared to 2020.
• Thanks to the gas produced by Ecopetrol, 742 buses circulate in Bogotá in the Transmilenio trunk lines, 1,375 zonal buses of the SITP for a total of 2,117 vehicles that contribute to improve the air quality of the capital.
• The mass and strategic transportation systems have incorporated in their fleets buses dedicated to natural gas with the commitment to reduce CO2 emissions. Proof of this in Bogotá there are 2,129 vehicles circulating between articulated, bi-articulated, feeders and buses, in Medellín 404 buses, in Bolívar 333, Valle 48, Eje Cafetero 43 and Atlántico 39 for a total of 2,996 units.

Social Gas:

• In 2021, the connection of 6,132 families was achieved in the municipalities of Yondó, Barrancabermeja, Castilla la nueva, Tame, Saravena and San Vicente del Chucurí, this with an investment of $ 21,187,521,714.
• In total since 2019, Ecopetrol has achieved the connection of 10,691 families have stopped cooking with firewood, garbage, cookstove among others and this improves the quality of the air they breathe and therefore their quality of life, not to mention its contribution in reducing emissions.
• During 2021, agreements were signed with Barranquilla, Arauca, Casanare and Santander that will allow the connection of more than 25,000 additional families by 2023.
• Through our subsidiary Hocol, we achieved 120 connections in Purificación, Tolima, and an agreement was signed with SURTIGAS to make 740 new connections by 2022.
• The Ecopetrol Group's goal is 70,000 new users by 2024.

Fuel quality graphs

Air quality pacts

As part of its commitment to improve air quality in cities, Ecopetrol actively participates in these programmed activities in two cities:

Medellín and the Aburrá Valley Metropolitan Area:

Since March 2018, Ecopetrol has been doing systematic work to improve fuel quality for this region.

• The Company was linked to the Air Quality Pact and has been ratifying it year after year. The commitment was to deliver diesel with less than 20 ppm of sulfur. Subsequently, the commitment was extended to motor gasoline with a maximum of 150 ppm.
• In addition to improving fuel quality, the Company has participated in research and development initiatives with public entities and academic institutions for a better understanding of air quality issues in the area.
• In June 2021, Ecopetrol, EPM, the mayor's office of Medellín and Transmetano announced the free conversion of one thousand cabs to NGV to contribute to air quality improvements in the region.

Bogota and the Secretariat of Environment.

In mid-2018, Ecopetrol extended its commitment to improve fuel quality to Bogota, with availability of natural gas vehicles and diesel with less than 10 ppm sulfur content, equivalent to Euro VI sulfur content, from the Transmilenio system's bus fleet renewal plan.

• Adjustments were made with the support of wholesalers to differentiate between fuel for TransMilenio (B2T, with less than 10 ppm) and fuel for the rest of the city with less than 25 ppm.
• The Company has been actively participating in the Air Quality Pact for Bogota for which in April 2021 it signed the general commitments, and in December 2021 the specific commitments.
• These commitments are aligned with the Internal Fuel Quality Improvement Pathway that has been developed in an accelerated manner in recent years, and that has allowed an improvement in the fuels distributed throughout the national territory, introduction of new vehicle fleets, acceleration of the introduction of natural gas fleets and an improvement in the quality of the air Colombians breathe.
• These commitments include natural gas, fossil fuels, research and promotion of sustainable mobility:

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Awareness-raising actions

As an additional initiative, through social networks, Ecopetrol develops a pedagogical work to raise awareness about the contribution we can all make to contribute to a better air.

Ecopetrol- Desplazamientos Verdes

Buenas practicas de conducción

Ecopetrol en vivo mejores combustibles para un mejor aire

Fuel quality research program

Since 2014, Ecopetrol's Innovation and Technology Center (ICP), together with the Refining Development Management (GDR) and the Barrancabermeja Refinery (GRB) and some strategic allies such as the universities of Los Andes, La Salle, Antioquia, Pontificia Bolivariana, Politécnico Jaime Isaza Cadavid and entities such as Transmilenio, the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley, the Environment and Mobility Secretariats and the UPME, have been developing the research initiative on fuel quality and its impact on air quality.

The aim is to appropriate the knowledge that will leverage Ecopetrol's medium and long term strategy regarding the quality of the fuels produced and their proper alignment with the regulator's vision. This includes technological surveillance on regulatory issues, world trends in quality, vehicle technologies, refining strategies, advances in international research, among others.

Some of the R&D programs underway or already developed are:

• Low-cost air quality sensors. Together with the Universidad de La Salle, an agreement is being developed to test low-cost equipment and technologies for monitoring air quality in Bogota, which can be used by communities and specialists to take ownership of air quality management. The tests are being carried out in three sectors of the city of Bogotá (Colegio La Salle on Calle 170 and the fire stations of Fontibón and Puente Aranda). Results are expected by March 2022.
• Air Quality within the Transmilenio System. It was developed with the Universidad de los Andes, in order to make measurements of particulate matter PM2.5, number of particles and gases in buses and stations in the Transmilenio trunk system.
  • 2019: it was determined that with the renewal of 25% of the trunk fleet, the concentration of particulate matter to which users are exposed improved by 50%.
  • 2020: a significant impact of the operation of 100% of the new fleet plus the use of 10 ppm sulfur diesel and natural gas was established: air quality within the system improved by 78% for PM2.5 and 80% for soot.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIf1M7cnsOk&t=14s

• Determination of Transmilenio's emission factors. It is developed with state-of-the-art measuring equipment from Ecopetrol. This study has been underway since November 2021.
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• UN Project, ARCAL Politécnico Jaime Isaza (PJIC), AMVA and Ecopetrol. It aims to characterize PM2.5 (particulate matter 2.5) in Medellin (Nov 2018 - Dec 2021). Preliminarily concludes that the reduction of the sulfur content of fuels between 2017 and 2020 has reduced the concentration of PM2.5 by about 20% in the Aburrá Valley.
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• AMVA Agreement for characterization of resuspended PM. Seeks to investigate the origin and composition of the resuspended material present in the air and incorporate the results in the air quality models of the Aburrá Valley region.
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• Tree Planting Agreement with the AMVA. By the end of 2020, 555 stumps and 66 square meters of hard floors had been removed, plus the planting of 800 trees in 5 municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley. The process is advancing in the maintenance of the trees planted for 4 years.