A US testing company believes it has found the cause of a fuel problem that led to more than 80 ships experiencing mechanical issues after bunkering in Houston.
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) had issued a bunker alert on 26 April informing clients of multiple vessels impacted by a sticking of fuel plungers and fuel-pump seizures and failures when burning fuel oil bought at the Texas port.
"At that time it was known to be a widespread problem that was not limited to any particular supplier or barge, but more a potential upstream production, or refinery issue, with the 'true' cause unknown at that time," it said this week.
The problem grew to affect at least 30 vessels belonging to VPS clients, making it one of the most widespread fuel quality issues of recent years.
Eight suppliers and 17 bunker tankers are in the chain of supply, the company said.
A VPS task force has since been undertaking detailed forensic analysis of the many samples received from numerous vessels.
"It was critical that we were able to identify which components were common to all of the fuel samples and have the physical properties which could cause the problems experienced by our clients," it said.
Phenolic compounds were eventually identified as being present in every one of the 12 samples.
One called 4-Cumyl-Phenol was found in a concentration range of 300ppm to 1,000ppm.
"In some samples we also identified high boiling carboxylic acids (fatty acids) but these were present at much lower levels," VPS said.
Violation of fuel standards
4-Cumyl-Phenol has many industrial uses including the manufacture of epoxy resins and as an emulsifier in pesticides, both of which utilise its adhesive qualities.
"Analysing our database of previous fuel problems, VPS has identified that phenolic contamination of fuel oils gives rise to problems with fuel injection equipment and filter clogging.
"It is therefore our conclusion that the presence of phenolic compounds are most likely the cause of problems arising from this batch of problem fuel delivered in Houston and surrounding ports."
VPS added that the presence of this contaminant is in violation of Clause 5 of ISO 8217 which states: “The fuel should not include any added substance or chemical waste which jeopardises the safety or adversely affects the performance of the machinery; or is harmful to personnel; or contributes overall to additional air pollution.”
Sources cited by the Platts news agency said more than 80 ships had been affected by the fuel, with some facing more extensive damage than others.
A US trader told Platts the compound probably ended up in bunker fuel from a cutterstock.
Some petrochemical streams contain similar compounds.
"It's going to be a mess to figure out," one US Gulf Coast supplier said.
The original source has yet to be determined.
Similar instances in the past have resulted in extensive legal battles over many years.
