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Fuel Regulations

Chile: Fuels

Background

In Chile, fuel quality requirements are detailed in Decree 39/2024. It covers quality specifications for gasoline fuels for spark ignition engines, Grade A-1 Diesel, Grade B-1 Diesel, Grade B-2 Diesel, Kerosene, Fuel Oil No. 5 and Fuel Oil No. 6 for use nationally and in the Metropolitan Region [6666].

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Decree 39/2024 consolidated fuel quality requirements that were previously covered by national requirements found in Decree 60/2011 and separate requirements for fuels for the Metropolitan Region including Grade A-1 Diesel [2952][2949][6160]. At one time, Grade A-2 Diesel was specified for nonroad applications in the Metropolitan Region but is no longer included in official specifications.

Diesel Fuel

There are two grades of diesel fuel in Chile:

  1. Grade A-1—the only on-road diesel fuel legally available to the public in the Santiago Metropolitan Region.
  2. Grade B-1—the diesel fuel intended for the rest of the country.

Initially, Grade A-1 diesel had more stringent specifications and higher quality than Grade B-1 diesel (formerly Grade B diesel). Over time, the two diesel grades have become similar. The following list summarizes the steps in the evolution of the A-1 and B-1 specifications:

  • Starting July 2004, grade A-1 diesel [D.S. No. 58/04] had a maximum sulfur limit of 50 ppm and a lubricity requirement [D.S. No. 222/04].
  • Starting in 2007, Grade B diesel fuel [D.S. No. 133/04] sulfur was limited to 350 ppm. In 2008, the cetane number of Grade B increased to 50 to match Grade A-1 and in 2010, a sulfur limit of 50 ppm and an HFRR lubricity requirement for Grade B took effect [D.S. No. 319/06].
  • In April 2010, new fuel requirements for Grade A-1 diesel were introduced to limit sulfur to 15 ppm mass by September 2011. The new requirements also lowered the polyaromatic limit and increased the density and distillation ranges [2949].
  • From March 2012, the properties of Grade B diesel became more closely aligned with those of Grade A-1 [2952]. The changes included an expansion of distillation and density ranges and a narrowing of viscosity limits. The need to report nitrogen was also eliminated from Grade B diesel.
  • From September 2013, Grade B essentially aligned with Grade A-1 [2953]. However, Grade B allows flexibility in some properties to accommodate lower ambient temperatures encountered in the south of Chile.
  • In 2013, Grade B-2 diesel fuel was established with 50 ppm sulfur and a minimum 40 cetane number for stationary engines, boilers, agricultural and mining machinery and other equipment for domestic and industrial use. However, this Grade has not been commercially available since 2016.
  • In February 2024, a proposal was published to lower the sulfur limit in Grades A-1 and B-1 to 10 ppm [6161]. This was finalized several months later, confirming March 30, 2025 as the date that 10 ppm sulfur diesel and gasoline would be available at retail sites, 6 months before EPA Tier 3 and Euro 6c light- and medium-duty emission standards are required [6235].
  • The February 2024 proposal also consolidated petroleum fuel specifications into a single standard and included additional minor updates. Decree 39/2024 finalizing this change was published January 2025 to take effect March 30, 2025. This decree covers specifications for gasoline, diesel fuel grades A-1, B-1 and B-2, kerosene and fuel oils No. 5 and No. 6 [6666].

Biodiesel

Blending of biofuels is voluntary in Chile [2954]. Only 2% or 5% blends of biodiesel in diesel fuel are allowed. The biodiesel content of diesel fuel must be reported. Biodiesel consumption in Chile is negligible.

Gasoline

Sulfur in gasoline is limited to 10 ppm starting March 30, 2025. Previously, it had been limited to 15 ppm since September 2012 and 30 ppm prior to September 2012. Other details of the gasoline specification can be found in the appropriate decrees and regulations [2952][6161][6235][6666].

Decree 39/2024 introduced several changes including:

  • an increase in the oxygen level from 2.0 % m/m to 3.7 % m/m,
  • the adoption of the ASTM D4814 T50 minimum of 77°C,
  • silver strip corrosion limit,
  • driveability index,
  • instead of an analytical determination, an option to declare that the fuel contains no additives containing manganese, lead or phosphorus,
  • removal of the requirement to determinate the Motor Octane Number (ASTM D2700). Gasoline grades are sold based on their Research Octane Number (RON) with 93, 95, and 97 being common.

Ethanol blending with gasoline is voluntary and only 2% or 5% blends are allowed. Denatured ethanol specifications are available [2954]. While fuel ethanol consumption in Chile is negligible, MTBE is used as an oxygenate [6162].

Acknowledgement: This article based in part on information submitted by Marcelo M. Guerrero of ENAP.