Shell kickstarts octane 91 sales again | Bangkok Post: business

Shell has resumed its sales of octane 91 gasoline in Thailand after a three-year hiatus, saying the adjustment is in response to the Thai government's recent decision to reduce Oil Fund contributions on petrol and diesel.

Pissawan Achanapornkul, chairwoman of Shell Company of Thailand, said the move was aimed at enabling Shell to stay on track to increase its sales volume by 2-3% this year from 2 billion litres sold in 2010. Without this change, Shell's sales volume was expected to fall by 4% from last year.

After the reduced fuel levies, which took effect on Aug 27, prices of octane 91 petrol became cheaper than gasohol 95, making the latter less attractive. Sales of gasohol 95 at Shell stations have dropped by 20% compared to the same period last year, while gasohol 91 sales increased by 19%, she said.