NPA further revises sulphur content for imported diesel

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has reviewed the national sulphur specification for diesel from 500 parts per million (ppm) to 50ppm or lower.

This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Petroleum, Mr Ben Dagadu who was addressing participants at a workshop on oil and gas.
The Deputy Minister said the further reduction will ensure the health of the general public is less at risk.

“It will ensure the protection of public health through a reduction in the emission of black smoke, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons and other greenhouse gases from vehicle exhaust tailpipes,” he stated.
This reduction is expected to take effect from January 1, 2017. The Tema Oil Refinery has been given a maximum of three years to reconfigure its equipment to the given standards of NPA.

The Chief Executive of the NOA Moses Asaga explained that Ghana was not doing this alone but was rather following a road map that will help other countries in the ECOWAS sub-region to reduce the sulphur content to 50ppm by 2020.

He said the authority is committed to “improving the quality of standard of fuel to ensure that the fuel supplied at final dispensing outlets is the right specification.”

The NPA in October this year reduced the sulphur content from 3000ppm to 500ppm after a report by Public Eye criticised Swiss firms for their links to the trade of diesel in Africa that contain high Sulphur considered illegal in Europe.