BajaNomad

PEMEX You Might Want To Fill Way Up If Possible

DavidE - 5-26-2012 at 07:11 PM

Mexico is dependent on around 30% of it's Magna, and all of it's Premium from the USA. All of the diesel in Baja California (that's one state), is ULSD.

Wholesale fuel is on the rise and the exchange rate for the peso/dollar is eroding the peso.

Bad sun/moon/stars/tide alignment for gasoline and diesel prices in Mexico.

If my rig held a hundred gallons I would tend to want to fill before too much more time elapses. Countering this is the pressure of an election year with the PAN far behind. I wonder which gravitational pull will be greater? Banco de Mexico spent a billion dollars of currency reserves the last week or so and got nowhere. I am leaning toward seeing a fuel price increase soon.

J.P. - 5-26-2012 at 08:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Mexico is dependent on around 30% of it's Magna, and all of it's Premium from the USA. All of the diesel in Baja California (that's one state), is ULSD.

Wholesale fuel is on the rise and the exchange rate for the peso/dollar is eroding the peso.

Bad sun/moon/stars/tide alignment for gasoline and diesel prices in Mexico.

If my rig held a hundred gallons I would tend to want to fill before too much more time elapses. Countering this is the pressure of an election year with the PAN far behind. I wonder which gravitational pull will be greater? Banco de Mexico spent a billion dollars of currency reserves the last week or so and got nowhere. I am leaning toward seeing a fuel price increase soon.







It' here I filled up in
Ensenada Wensday and Magna was 9.8 per litro.

acadist - 5-27-2012 at 05:39 AM

please.....hold on for 2 more weeks

bigmike58 - 5-27-2012 at 06:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
All of the diesel in Baja California (that's one state), is ULSD.



David, Where is this info coming from? I have not found and ULSD in Baja that I'm aware of. According to the Pemex website any station selling ULSD will have UBA on the signage (see pic below). I also read "somewhere" on pemex's website that they will not have ulsd for at least another year. I have spoken (recently) with a few the the miners in Santa Rosalia that have 07-08 Ford diesels that have plugged/ruined their DPF's. I have also heard the the new ford diesels sold in Mexico do not require ULSD.

Reg. diesel


LSD diesel


ULSD diesel



I would tend to believe that all diesel in Baja is at least 'LSD" due to the fact that the local buses and trucks don't spew black smoke like they did just a few years ago... and we know that Mexico didnt require all those old motors be upgraded! LOL.
I have a 2008 ford 6.4 and have only put 5 tanks of Pemex diesel thru it. I sometimes have added the Lucas Additive ( the miners swear by it, not me). One thing that I do notice is that my truck runs better and is quieter on pemex deisel, but it could leave me stranded if the damn DPF fails. I would like FACTS if anyone has them or links to some concrete sources please..thx bm

Taco de Baja - 5-27-2012 at 06:41 AM

I have noticed that for gasoline, that I get a lot better MPG than I do on USA gas (at least 10-15% better :o ). But, the "Check Engine" light also comes on indicating that the O2 sensor before the catalytic converter doesn't really like the Magna mix.

Based on these facts, I 'assume' that I am likely buying Made in Mexico gasoline.

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by Taco de Baja]

Russ - 5-27-2012 at 06:44 AM

No facts. Just my experience with a 1996 ~ F 250 ~ 7.3. Much better mileage and stronger performance with Baja Sur fuel than US ULSD.

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by Russ]

bigmike58 - 5-27-2012 at 06:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
No facts. Just my experience with a 1996 ~ F 250 ~ 7.3. Much better mileage and stronger performance with Baja Sur fuel than US ULSD.

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by Russ]


Russ, Congrats on owning Ford's best diesel. I have owned them all starting in 86 with a 6.9 and wish I still had my 2001 7.3, every truck since that one has blown up on me, 6.0's and 6.4's. The 2007 and 2008 trucks have a DPF(diesel particulant filter) on them.(on the exhaust like a catalytic converter) I'm not sure if the 2009-2012's have em.

I did find this article which validates my "feeling" on why my engine would run better on Pemex diesel.. The cetane rating..
http://mexicotrucker.com/study-suggests-mexicos-pemex-brande...

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by bigmike58]

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by bigmike58]

durrelllrobert - 5-27-2012 at 07:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigmike58


The 2007 and 2008 trucks have a DPF(diesel particulant filter) on them.(on the exhaust like a catalytic converter) I'm not sure if the 2009-2012's have em.

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by bigmike58]

A (former) friend of mine has twin diesels with DPFs in his boat. He has to change them every time he goes out. Ver expensive. Fuel is purchashed at the Coral Marina in Ensenada.:?::?:

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by durrelllrobert]

DavidE - 5-27-2012 at 10:38 AM

The state of Baja California is very difficult to supply from the mainland. If you've ever driven from say Sta Ana on Mex 15, on Mex 2, you could get a better appreciation of this. The largest tank farm closest to the border there in is south Guaymas. There are pipelines running through Nogales but none going east or west. Worse yet, are the location of mexican refineries. The closest being at Salamanca.

So Petroleos Mexicanos did the smart thing, long ago and simply imports fuel from California. Not necessarily refined in California, as there are gigantic pipelines running all the way across the USA from the gulf, through texas, ie the Pemex/Shell Oil joint venture refinery in Deer Park Texas. What arrives for use in California is ULSD. Even the Magna going into Baja California (1 state) is made in USA. Mexico does not have sulfur extraction plants in place and operating at any of it's refineries, so you can be assured that gasolineras 5 km from the borders of Guatemala or Belize -are supposed to- be selling Premium that is UBA.

Interesting logos above. Interesting in that for the last half dozen years Pemex has stated that until every last gasolinera in mexico has access to UBA diesel, Pemex would not allow signage specifying UBA diesel. I would however appreciate seeing logos on signs, along with the location (scene of the station itself) on images. I do know instances of where talented folks have created diesel signage to show examples of what real signs would look like when UBA diesel becomes available.

I was invited to and attended a small reception given at the Celaya/Salamanca refinery several years ago. Old bookworm me, I studied volume after volume of process control borrowed from the abandoned Platformer plant at a Shell Oil Co. refinery when I was going to college. My curiosity led me to concentrate on the process of alkylation, which in turn lead to me stumbling into a conversation with an engineer in Manzanillo, which in turn...

After excusing myself as being gringo, and of course following that with a hundred questions I asked, rather discussed for I already knew the logistics of fuel for the Baja California peninsula.

But, nevertheless, this UBA diesel, fuel from california issue really needs confirmation from Antonio señor baja cactus. Or perhaps from several members of the forum whom have read his responses on this forum to this subject.

DavidE - 5-27-2012 at 10:51 AM

I had to do this in a separate post:

The "No UBA Diesel Available" has caused a titanic scandal in mexico (the city). Newer buses and transports are mandated by federal law to meet the strictest of emissions controls including particulate. They couldn't purchase new buses and old ones were becoming unrepairable. All due to the unavailability of UBA. I haven't kept current on this so I do not know what has happened recently.

When I tested the dispensers at "Servicio Meza" eighteen years ago, they were dead on accurate. One of the few from Tijuana to San Lucas. I do not know the relationship of Antonio of Baja Cactus, to Servicio Meza, but I try my level best to arrive in El Rosario with an empty tank :-) It's one of the fewest of gasolineras in mexico where I'll pull in, and say "lleno por favór".

comitan - 5-27-2012 at 11:03 AM

David

Maybe you can explain the many fuel barges that are unloaded at the Pemex tank farm here in La Paz.

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/daleandjojosbuenavida/images...

[Edited on 5-27-2012 by comitan]

DavidE - 5-27-2012 at 12:01 PM

They originate at Topolobampo. They are supposed to fill pipas that travel as far north as Villa Jesus Maria. They do not have ULSD. They are supposed to bring UBA premium and Magna as well as made in Mexico diesel. The premium is supposed to be unadulterated with Magna. The Magna may or may not be of USA origin.

I have no experience with whether or not the transbordador from Sta Rosalia to Guaymas brings pipas as cargo negra from Guaymas tank farms. This would be costly to say the least, but it's a long haul from Pichilingue.

But please bear in mind that Baja California is not Baja California Sur. Two states.

bigmike58 - 5-27-2012 at 01:17 PM

David, Thank you for taking the time to explain, but I'm not sure that that is an absolute "YES, all Baja north stations only have ULSD. I hate cutting and pasting but we are having friends over for fish taco's today and I can't type for chit.

"In my description of the situation above, I used the word "theoretically" because PEMEX, the state-owned oil company, has dragged its heels, with no apparent enforcement actions or penalties for its long delay. In fact, as we approach 2012, the cleaner diesel fuel is available only in the border zone, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and a few other places.

PEMEX’s lack of progress suggests strongly that, despite the legal requirement to do so, it believes that it does not need to provide ULSD so long as Mexican trucks are built to weaker standards than American trucks, and therefore don’t need the cleaner fuel to operate properly. Engine makers, of course, do not sell U.S.-quality engines in Mexico, since the emission control systems on those engines will be damaged by Mexico’s high-sulfur fuel.
"

here is a link to the entire article. http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/rkassel/time_to_move_forwa...

It was written by "a global warming" enviromental group.. So there is a good chance it's BS..:rolleyes:


Any idea on what it would cost to have the fuel tested? Maybe I should just get some test samples and see. I'm not finding anything concrete on the Pemex site.

DavidE - 5-27-2012 at 02:13 PM

I was told by reps at Celaya that all of Baja the northern state has but ULSD. I believe I have read Antonio's remarks on this forum corroborating this. Some folks on other forums have commented that the limit for southern fuel coming north is at Guerrero Negro. Antonio claims his gasolinera in El Rosario is definetly the most southerly station to offer ULSD (UBA) diesel on Mex 1. Personally I go with Antonio's version. He is an intelligent individual. This leaves Cataviña, and Villa Jesus Maria stations as having fuel from the south. I asked one of los angeles selling fuel out of the bed of a pickup where he got his fuel and he replied that he gets it from the Jesus Maria gasolinera.

Personally if I owned one of those new super sensitive diesel rigs, I would not be afraid to fuel up all the way to and including El Rosario.

bajatravelergeorge - 5-29-2012 at 02:34 PM

Its been a few years since I've been south of Santo Tomas, below Ensenada. Does anyone know if they sell diesel at the Pemex in San Vincente? Its the next little city south of Santo Tomas.

Thanks,

Bajahowodd - 5-29-2012 at 04:22 PM

Can't speak directly about the availability of diesel in San Vicente, but, I'm guessing you can buy it there.

That said, in the past few years, Pemex franchisees have opened a boatload of new station all the way down to the one at Los Pinos, just South of San Quintin, where you can DEFINITELY get diesel.

As for the debate about fuel sourcing, it is true that virtually all refined product sold in BC is from Texas. Virtually all refined product in BCS is from the mainland.

It strikes me as curious in that the current debate about the Keystone pipeline from Canada to Texas has so many supporters and detractors. Simple fact is that retail gasoline prices are a product of many factors, mostly having nothing to do with current supply of either crude or refined product. If the Keystone thing is built, unless current supply and demand conditions change, most of that product will be either exported from Texas or refined there and then exported.

DavidE - 5-29-2012 at 07:26 PM

Bajahowodd,

The "grey area" extends from south of El Rosario to the 28th parallel. It's in B.C. but has fuel from the south. This includes I would imagine every gasolinera south of San Felipe on the future Mex 5. I cannot imagine fuel there arriving from the north.

To complicate matters, much of the Magna in Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and 'Tamaulipas originates in the USA as well, but not diesel, except according to Pemex, within a 25 km strip along the US border. There they must sell only ULSD.

Colonia Guerrero is so close to San Vicente, I cannot imagine why it needs to be available in San Vicente. Maybe Bajatravelergeorge can enlighten me. Yes, it is a nosy question, but I am ever so curious.