VPS: Tests Show ExxonMobil's HDME 50 "Likely to be a Good Fuel"

Charlotte Røjgaard, Group Technical Director, VPS said they don't see many issues with HDME 50

Testing of ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50, a new grade of low sulfur marine fuel compliant with the upcoming 2015 Emissions Control Area (ECA) sulfur regulations, show that its "likely to be a good fuel", Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) said at the recent VPS Marine Fuel Management Seminar in Singapore.

"The tests we have performed with [HDME 50] show that it is likely to be a good fuel. We don't see many issues," said Charlotte Røjgaard, Group Technical Director, VPS.

Launched by ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants (ExxonMobil) in July, the oil major has described Heavy Distillate Marine ECA 50 (HDME 50) as a "new category of marine fuel" that handles onboard like HFO, but is compliant with the 0.10 percent sulfur cap that takes effect in ECAs on January 1, 2015.

"There are virtually no cat fines, it has a high viscosity, but is low in sulfur," Iain White, field marketing manager at ExxonMobil Marine Fuels & Lubricants, told Ship & Bunker during the product's launch.

"The exact viscosity varies slightly between 45 and 80 cSt."

Prior to its launch, ExxonMobil said HDME 50 was tested with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) to confirm its suitability for main and auxiliary engines and marine type boilers, and following the positive signs from their testing, VPS says it now remains to be seen if the new fuel continues to perform in real world use.

"The point is, how is it going to act in service? How is it going to act when you start mixing it during fuel changeovers? Because you will have some occasional mixing in the pipes," said Røjgaard.

"What about at storage if you keep it for a long period of time? That is very difficult to test out in the lab."

HDME 50 is currently being produced exclusively at ExxonMobil's Antwerp refinery, and is available now on a spot or contract basis for delivery by barge throughout the ARA region.

A number of other bunker companies have also announced plans for 0.10 percent sulfur products, including Lukoil's "fuel marine environmental" (TSE), which it describes as a hybrid between fuel oil and distillate products, and CEPSA's DMB 0.1% distillate fuel.

Formerly known as DNVPS, in July VPS unveiled its new name, and new branding, following its split from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) last year.