Many factors could lead to U.S. octane shortage: experts (O&GJ)

Nick Snow / Oil & Gas Journal

US gasoline markets are robust as the summer driving season continues, but several forces could lead to an octane shortage, speakers warned during a June 26 breakout session at the US Energy Information Administration?s 2017 Annual Conference.

Automakers could rely on engine designs with higher compression ratios to comply with more-stringent fuel economy standards, speakers said. In turn, this would require gasoline with higher octane ratings.

“Ironically, we?re not going to be using more fuel in the US in the next 5 years, but we?ll need more octane, at least until more cars run on electricity,” said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service, a division of IHS.

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