Shell Canada rolls out new ULSD, Rotella T oil

by Adam Ledlow

TORONTO, Ont. – After months of intense development, Shell Canada’s $400 million investment into its ultra low-sulfur diesel project has reached its peak, with ULSD finally available in the Canadian market as of the Oct. 15 deadline. The new remarkably low-emission fuel came about after the US Environmental Protection Agency announced it would require the trucking industry to reduce it’s emissions by 90% in 2007. Shell executives held a press conference to field any unanswered questions about ULSD and its new line of related lubricants at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto Sept. 20.

Gerry Ertel, manager of regulatory affairs for Shell Canada, gave an overview of ULSD and what its use will mean for the Canadian trucking industry. With the introduction of ULSD, Ertel said 2006 will mark the beginning of a new era for diesel fuel in Canada. The EPA’s demands have helped reduce on-road sulfur content in diesel fuel to be reduced to a maximum of 15 parts per million – a dramatic reduction from the 500 ppm 12 years ago, and 5,000 ppm prior to 1994. Combined with engine technology and aftertreatment control, Shell’s ULSD works to deliver dramatic nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions reduction, Ertel said.

“The clean diesel vehicle will rival any alternative engine technology or fuel option,” said Ertel in his presentation. “Diesel vehicles are approaching emission-free vehicles.”

Overall, Shell’s ULSD will offer similar performance to its existing low-sulfur diesel, though refinery processes that remove sulfur may also reduce fuel density and energy content, resulting in slight reductions in fuel economy and power. For fleets that have purchased 2007 trucks with EPA-compliant engines, ULSD is a must, but some seals on high mileage vehicles older than 1993 may leak when ULSD is used, Ertel warned. But just as new diesel engines require ULSD, they also need engine oil that can ensure durability and continued performance of these new emission control technologies. That’s where Shell’s API CJ-4 engine oil comes in.

Lenore Indarsingh, brand category manager heavy-duty engine oils and greases, outlined the latest API oil category. Indarsingh described CJ-4 as key to meeting the new emissions requirements and critical for optimum performance of the diesel particulate filter.

“CJ-4 oils provide increased wear protection, deposit stability, soot handling and ATD compatibility,” Indarsingh said in her presentation. “Equipment, fuel and lubricants technology must work together.”

Shell’s flagship oil for the CJ-4 category is the new Rotella T engine oil with Triple Protection, which Indarsingh referred to as the “most significant advancement in heavy-duty diesel engine oil in 30 years.”

She said there are three key benefits for consumers with Shell’s Rotella T oil. First is the significantly improved wear protection, which Indarsingh estimated as an average of 50% lower wear through industry recognized engine tests.

“In over 5.5 million miles of customer service (there was) significantly lower iron wear,” she said.

The second benefit is outstanding deposit and cleanliness control, she said. The new formulation is equipped with 30% more active ashless chemistry and exclusive patented detergent system designed for high-temperature stability and DPF compatibility, she continued.

The third key benefit Indarsingh described was how the oil is optimized for aftertreatment systems, including an exclusive low-ash formulation, no-compromise performance and protection for exhaust aftertreatment devices.

“Shell listened to its customers and marketing agents and we are taking a leadership position by offering a single-oil solution. New Rotella T engine oil eliminates the need to stock multiple products, reducing the complexity of daily operations and eliminating the risk of damage to new emission-control engines that could occur through use of the wrong formulation.”

With the research and development phase for on-road ULSD behind them, Shell officials are now working to reduce sulfur for off-road applications and continue with their history of “fuel firsts.” Shell was the first Canadian oil company to offer ULSD in 2006, low-sulfur diesel in 1994 and was also the first to sell unleaded gasoline in 1970.


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