DAMMAM, 26 November 2006 — Saudi Aramco yesterday organized a meeting with some of the owners of petrol stations and distributors of petroleum products in the Riyadh region in order to discuss their preparations to receive and sell the new gasoline grades, Premium 91, which will be marketed starting Jan. 1 along with the existing gasoline grade, Premium 95.
“The objective of the meeting was to answer to queries of the owners of petrol stations and distributors of petroleum products and review their preparations for the sale of Premium 91,” an Aramco official said.
Faisal Al-Moaiqel, director of local sales and technical support at Saudi Aramco, said about 85 percent of cars in the Kingdom are designed to use Premium 91. “So the continued use of Premium 95 for these vehicles is a waste of money,” he said. The numbers refer to each fuel’s corresponding octane.
According to Ziyad M. Al-Shiha, Saudi Aramco spokesperson, said the price of Premium 91 would be 60 halalas per liter while Premium 95 will be 75 halalas per liter. “A majority of cars in Saudi Arabia can use Premium 91 and gain no increase in performance by using a 95-octane gasoline,” he pointed out.
Al-Moaiqel said Saudi Aramco and owners of petrol stations were partners in marketing the new product and encourage consumers to use them.
“Saudi Aramco’s refineries and distribution centers have the necessary flexibility to supply both types of petrols,” he said.
Muhammad Hassan Al-Qahtani, head of the department for sales and marketing at Saudi Aramco, said the company has completed all preparations to distribute the new oil, which he said would benefit not only the consumers but also the distributors and the national economy.
Saudi Aramco has colored Premium 91 green to enable consumers to clearly distinguish it from Premium 95, which is currently available on the market and will retain its red color.
Saudi Aramco has previously launched an Internet website, www.9195.info, which has answers to common questions about the new gasoline and identifies the proper grade for each type of vehicle, in addition to containing other relevant information.
Saudi Aramco has also designated a toll-free telephone number, 800-124-9195, for consumers to get answers to questions about the new grade of gasoline.
Aramco is to hold similar meetings with distributors and petrol station owners in different parts of the Kingdom within the next few weeks.
