Fuel Oil News

Fuel Oil News - December 2016

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30 DECEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com 57% of those answering say they do. The size of the bulk plant facilities ranges widely, from 5,000-gallon capacity at the low end to 20 million gallons at the high end. In addition, 61% say they use their bulk facilities to store other petroleum products. Of those answering the question, "Have you substantially updated your bulk plants in the past 10 years (or are your plants new construction) 44% answered yes. FUEL ADDITIVES The use of fuel additives is broad throughout the industry, based on responses to the survey. Among those answering the question, 84% say they use fuel additives. Just how and where they blend the additives is where variables come into play: 68% say they blend the additives in their bulk plant tanks; 26% say they blend in the tanks on their trucks; and 42% say they blend in their customers' tanks. Note that respondents were asked to select all methods that they use. For that reason the total responses to this question add up to more than 100%. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT Of those responding to the question, "Do you have a service department?" 75% answered in the affirmative. Respondents put the value of their service department inventory at nearly $192,000. Of those responding to the question, "Do you plan to buy new service vehicles this year?"41% said yes. DELIVERY TRUCKS Asked whether they planned to buy a new truck in the next 12 months, 30% of those who answered the question said they did intend to make such a purchase. To another question, respon- dents indicated that on average they have nearly nine leased and/ or owned oil delivery trucks, with five or more of them being Class 7 units, and two being Class 8 tractors. Virtually 100% of respondents indicate they do not own or lease tank trailers. Further, 15% of those responding to the question expect to pur- chase a new truck tank to install on an existing chassis. DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID Later-model diesel engines are required to have enhanced emis- sions technology. This can be either selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). SCR technology, while providing a desirable increase in fuel efficiency and power compared to EGR, requires the use of diesel exhaust fluid BULKPLANT TANKS ON TRUCKS DIRECTLY INTO CUSTOMER TANKS 67.7% 25.8% 41.9% WHERE DO YOU BLEND FUEL ADDITIVES? SERVICE CALLS SERVICE VANS 2725.3 8.8 SERVICE DEPARTMENT OWNED AND LEASED HOW MANY ARE CLASS 7? HOW MANY ARE CLASS 8? 8.70 5.25 2.10 NUMBER OF DELIVERY TRUCKS The size of the bulk plant facilities ranges widely, from 5,000-gallon capacity at the low end to 20 million gallons at the high end. The use of fuel additives is broad throughout the industry, based on responses to the survey. Among those answering the ques- tion, 84% say they use fuel additives. Asked whether they planned to buy a new truck in the next 12 months, 30% of those who answered the question said they did intend to make such a purchase. For those using engines with SCR technology there are a number of ways to manage DEF. Among those responding, by far the majority (58%) say they use jugs of DEF.

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