D2 (often called D2 Gas Oil or D2 Diesel Fuel) is a type of diesel fuel, while gasoline (petrol) is a different fuel used in spark-ignition engines. Distillate Fuel No. 2” or Diesel Gas Oil is not gasoline. It’s the standard diesel you put in trucks, generators, heavy machinery.

D2 is a middle-distillate diesel fuel commonly used in:

• Diesel trucks
• Buses
• Generators
• Agricultural equipment
• Industrial machinery

Historically, D2 gas oil was a common international trading product, though many markets have largely shifted to lower-sulfur diesel grades such as EN590.

D2 DIESEL SPECS

• Type: Distillate Fuel No. 2 / Gas Oil Middle distillate, C10-C20 hydrocarbons
• Color: Clear & bright, straw to amber Can be dyed red/green for tax purposes
• Density @15°C** 820-860 kg/m³ Heavier than Jet A-1, lighter than BLCO
• Sulfur: 500 ppm max “Low Sulfur” / 15ppm “ULSD” / 0.02% GOST 305-82 Modern D2 is 10-15ppm ULSD for Euro 5/6 engines.
• Viscosity: @40°C** 2.0 – 4.5 cSt Thicker than Jet A-1, much thinner than D6
• Flash Point: 55°C min, usually 60°C+ Safer than gasoline
• Cetane Number: 45-51 min Measures ignition quality for diesel engines
• Pour Point: -5°C to -15°C Gels in extreme cold vs Jet A-1 at -47°C

D2 Vs. GASOLINE

• Engine Type: D2 Diesel is used in diesel engines, while Gasoline is used in petrol engines.
• Ignition Method: D2 Diesel ignites through compression, whereas Gasoline requires spark plugs for ignition.
• Fuel Density: D2 Diesel has a higher fuel density than Gasoline.
• Fuel Economy: D2 Diesel generally offers better fuel efficiency, while Gasoline typically provides lower fuel economy.
• Common Use: D2 Diesel is commonly used in trucks, buses, generators, and heavy equipment, whereas Gasoline is mainly used in cars, motorcycles, and light vehicles.

D2 vs. EN590

• Sulfur Level: D2 Diesel generally has a higher sulfur content, while EN590 contains a maximum of 10 ppm sulfur, making it an ultra-low sulfur diesel.
• Environmental Impact: D2 Diesel produces higher emissions, whereas EN590 offers cleaner combustion and significantly lower sulfur emissions.
• Engine Compatibility: D2 Diesel is suitable for older diesel engines, while EN590 is specifically designed for modern Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel engines.
• Current Market Demand: D2 Diesel has lower demand in many international markets, whereas EN590 is one of the most widely traded diesel fuels globally.
• Fuel Quality: D2 Diesel is a conventional diesel grade, while EN590 is manufactured to strict European quality standards for superior performance.
• Fuel Quality: D2 Diesel is a conventional diesel grade, while EN590 is manufactured to strict European quality standards for superior performance.

So, if someone says “D2 gasoline,” they are mixing two different fuel types. The correct term is usually D2 Diesel Fuel or D2 Gas Oil. D2 is diesel/gasoil, while Gasoline = petrol. Totally different fuel.

It is natural gas (mainly methane) that has been cooled to about −162°C (-260°F), turning it into a liquid. This reduces its volume by approximately 600 times, making it much easier and more economical to transport by ship over long distances.

HOW LNG IS PRODUCED

• Natural gas is extracted from gas fields.
• Impurities such as water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur are removed.
• The gas is cooled or freezed to −162°C.
• It becomes a clear, odorless liquid called LNG.
• It is pumped into huge white cryogenic spheres on the LNG ship.

PROPERTY DETAILS

• Natural gas: 90-95% methane CH4, cooled to liquid
• Temp: -162°C** at 1 atm pressure. That’s colder than Antarctica
• Volume: Gas → liquid shrinks 600x. 600m³ gas becomes 1m³ liquid
• Look Clear, colorless liquid. Like water but super cold.
• Smell: Odorless. They add smell like rotten eggs before it reaches homes.
• Use: Power plants, factories, cooking gas after regasification.

COMMON USES OF LNG

• Power generation
• Industrial fuel
• Residential heating and cooking
• Marine fuel for ships
• Feedstock for petrochemical industries

KEY DIFFERENCES

• LNG is primarily composed of methane, while LPG consists mainly of propane and butane.
• LNG is stored at an extremely low temperature of −162°C, whereas LPG is stored at normal temperatures under pressure.
• LNG is produced from natural gas fields, while LPG is produced during crude oil refining and natural gas processing.
• LNG requires cryogenic storage tanks and specialized LNG carriers for transportation, while LPG is transported using pressurized cylinders, tankers, and LPG carriers.
• LNG is widely used for power plants, industrial operations, marine fuel, and international energy trade, whereas LPG is commonly used for household cooking, heating, industrial fuel, and automotive fuel (autogas).
• LNG is generally preferred for large-scale energy supply and export, while LPG is more suitable for domestic, commercial, and portable fuel applications.

LNG IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Major LNG exporters include countries such as Qatar, United States, and Australia. LNG is transported globally by specialized LNG carriers to importing countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

For oil and gas trading, LNG is a major commodity traded under long-term contracts as well as spot cargo agreements, similar to crude oil and LPG.

D6 Virgin Fuel Oil (often called D6 Virgin Oil, D6 Fuel Oil, or Residual Fuel Oil D6) is a heavy residual fuel obtained directly from the refining process and has not been previously used or reprocessed. It’s the heavy, “bottom of the barrel” fuel left after gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc. are distilled out of crude oil. “Virgin” just means it’s straight from the refinery, not recycled/blended waste oil.

D6 IS A HEAVY FUEL OIL (HFO) PRIMARILY USED FOR:

• Large industrial boilers
• Power plants
• Marine vessels (where regulations permit)
• Heavy industrial furnaces

It is much thicker and heavier than diesel or Jet A-1 and usually requires heating before it can be pumped or burned.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

Fuel Type: Residual Fuel Oil
Appearance: Dark brown to black
Viscosity: Very high
Density: Higher than diesel
Heating Requirement: Usually required
Main Use: Industrial and marine fuel

KEY SPECS

Type: Heavy, high-viscosity residual fuel oil

• Grade: Category 6 fuel oil – thickest grade
• Viscosity: 650-900 cSt @ 50°C – like tar at room temp
• Color: Black, dense
• Energy: ~150,000 BTU/gallon – very high energy density
• Sulfur: High, typically <3.5%. Low-sulfur versions exist but cost more
• Flash point: Min 60°C.

HOW IT’S USED:

1. Power plants – Boilers & turbines for electricity, often backup fuel.
2. Large ships – Ocean tankers, bulk carriers, container ships as “bunker fuel”
3. Industrial – Cement plants, steel mills, big boilers/furnaces for process heat.
4. Large generators – Backup power for factories/grid.

IMPORTANT: SPECIAL HANDLING NEEDED

• D6 is so thick/viscous it must be pre-heated to 104-127°C before it can be pumped or burned. You need special storage tanks, heaters, and burners.
• Not for cars, small boats, or normal diesel engines. It will destroy them. D2 diesel is much lighter and for trucks/cars – D6 is only for massive engines designed for it.

COST VS ENVIRONMENT:

Pros: Cheap per energy unit, high BTU, cost-effective for bulk use

Cons: One of the most polluting fuels due to high sulfur + impurities → SO2, acid rain. Regulations now require desulfurization.

Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) is a high-quality, low-sulfur (“sweet”) crude oil produced in Nigeria. It’s named after Bonny Island/Bonny Terminal in Rivers State where it’s loaded. It is one of the country’s most important flagship export grades and is highly valued by refineries because it yields a large proportion of gasoline, diesel, and other light petroleum products.

OVERVIEW

Origin: Nigeria
Production Area: Niger Delta region
Export Terminal: Bonny Oil Terminal
Crude Type: Light, Sweet Crude Oil

PROPERTY TYPICAL SPECIFICATION

• API Gravity: Typically, around 35° – 37° API “Light” crude. Low density, flows easily. High yield of gasoline/jet fuel.
• Sulfur Content: Approximately 0.14–0.20% (low sulfur) Very low sulfur = less refining cost + less SO2 emissions “Sweet” crude.
• Density: @15°C 849-850 kg/m³ Thin compared to heavy crudes.
• Pour Point: -5°C to -36°C Stays liquid in cold, good flow.
• Color: Dark Brown Dark, but much thinner than D6 fuel oil.
• Origin: Nigeria, Bonny Terminal NNPC Export grade benchmark.

WHY BONNY LIGHT IS VALUABLE

• Low sulfur content – easier and cheaper to refine.
• High yield of valuable products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel.
• Strong international demand from refineries in Europe, Asia, and other regions.
• Good refining characteristics compared with heavier crude grades.

WHY REFINERIES LOVE IT & WHAT MAKES BLCO SPECIAL:
BLCO is a “sweet, light” crude- that’s gold for refineries.
• High yield of light products: 70-80% ends up as gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel. The distillation shows 51.5% distills by 250°C
• Low sulfur: “sweet”: Only 0.15% sulfur vs 2-4% in heavy sour crudes. Less hydrotreating needed
• Low metals/asphaltenes: Very low nickel, vanadium, asphaltenes = less catalyst poisoning.

PRODUCTS REFINED FROM BLCO

Refineries can produce:

• LPG (Cooking Gas)
• Gasoline (PMS)
• Diesel (AGO / EN590-type diesel after refining)
• Kerosene
• Jet Fuel (Jet A-1)
• Fuel Oil
• Petrochemical feedstocks

TRADING TERMS

BLCO is commonly traded under:
• FOB (Free on Board)
• CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight)
• Spot cargo contracts
• Long-term supply agreements

TYPICAL CARGO SIZES

• 950,000 barrels
• 1,000,000 barrels
• 2,000,000 barrels and above

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Nigeria’s crude oil sector is overseen by entities such as Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and international oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.

For oil trading purposes, BLCO is considered one of the most recognized African crude oil grades alongside Brent Crude and other major export crudes.