Friday, May 20, 2011

Egypt's Recurring Diesel Shortage Problem

Egypt ministries responsible for diesel supplies have not learned the 6 p's ("previous planning prevents piss poor performance")

Nov 2009 Egypt Sells Diesel to Bangladesh  for period Jan to June 2010

Article March 2010 diesel shortage

And of course Diesel shortage again this year  - article

Quote from article

"One expert from the petroleum industry, who preferred to remain anonymous, attributed a good part of the problem to what he called "the government's poor planning". He pointed out that Egypt has been repeatedly suffering diesel shortages for the past three years around this time of year. He explained that the government should examine diesel consumption on a monthly basis to provide the needed quantities beforehand. "Knowing that in summer consumption peaks, the government should have been prepared," he told Al-Ahram Weekly."

ooooooooooops - here is rumor (I could not substantiate googling) .I heard today - unfounded... Egypt is full of Rumors........ Saudi stopped regular exports of Diesel to Egypt because of way Egypt is treating Mubarak and family?????  is it true Saudi is holding Egypt to ransom????????????

Winter Diesel was also a recurring yearly problem. I recall, when working in Egypt Oil and Gas Sector, each year a panic would set in when winter coming (yup called winter here even though a low of 0 C might be a record) to receive winterized Diesel. 

Diesel fuel solidifies in winter weather.  Diesel fuel contains paraffin's, similar to the wax candles are made from. When the paraffin cools it solidifies into a light yellow or white wax, plugging fuel filters and choking your fuel system. 

Diesel engines are becoming more popular in Egypt, especially for large trucks, minibuses, and recently more cars and 4x4's. If you have diesel engine, and have problems, you can do some emergency treatments as below

A farmers type emergency solution is to add a gallon of gas per 15 gallons diesel, (1 liter per 15 liters) but beware this reduces the cetane rating, at a time when you most likely need it.
 
A better way is to add 10% - 20 % kerosene (in Egypt 5%-10% would likely do the job well)

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