Opal fuel - Estimated 1.7 million tanks filled in the past six years with zero warranty claims
Release date:
11 October 2011
Opal is a low aromatic petrol blend developed by BP, which is a direct substitute for Regular Unleaded petrol. It is designed to help reduce the incidence of petrol sniffing in remote communities. Opal does not give the “high” that attracts those wishing to sniff petrol because it contains very low levels of aromatics.
Opal has been extensively tested, without incident, in a range of vehicles and equipment; it fully conforms to the national and overseas standards for 91 octane petrol and can be used in any engine recommended to use Regular Unleaded.
Since Opal was launched in 2005 over 84 million litres have been sold. This is the equivalent of some 1.7 million tanks of fuel and, since its launch, there have been no reported instances of vehicle performance issues being attributable to Opal.
BP said: “Opal was thoroughly tested prior to its launch and further independent testing along with confirmation from sales to some 1.7 million customers demonstrates that motorists can use Opal with confidence.”
Opal is currently available to 117 remote communities who participate in the Australian Government’s Petrol Sniffing Prevention Plan.
A senate inquiry released in March 2009 stated that Opal fuel was central to the success of the government’s petrol sniffing strategy. Australian Government research shows that Opal fuel has helped reduced the incidence of petrol sniffing by up to 94% in affected communities.
Opal has been extensively tested, without incident, in a range of vehicles and equipment; it fully conforms to the national and overseas standards for 91 octane petrol and can be used in any engine recommended to use Regular Unleaded.
Since Opal was launched in 2005 over 84 million litres have been sold. This is the equivalent of some 1.7 million tanks of fuel and, since its launch, there have been no reported instances of vehicle performance issues being attributable to Opal.
BP said: “Opal was thoroughly tested prior to its launch and further independent testing along with confirmation from sales to some 1.7 million customers demonstrates that motorists can use Opal with confidence.”
Opal is currently available to 117 remote communities who participate in the Australian Government’s Petrol Sniffing Prevention Plan.
A senate inquiry released in March 2009 stated that Opal fuel was central to the success of the government’s petrol sniffing strategy. Australian Government research shows that Opal fuel has helped reduced the incidence of petrol sniffing by up to 94% in affected communities.
Notes to editors:
Since 2004 Opal has been subject to independent testing on no less than 5 separate occasions. These tests involved cars (Toyota, Ford and Holden) and 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboards.These tests were carried out in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 and showed that Opal fully conforms to the national and overseas standards for 91 octane petrol.
In 2010, new re-formulated Opal which includes advanced fuel technologies which clean up the sooty deposits which ordinary fuels can leave behind in fuel systems was introduced.
BP recommends the use of premium (minimum 95 octane) fuel in small engines such as whipper-snippers and chainsaws.
