Q. Are losses of ultra-low-sulfur distillate fuel oil the same as downgraded volumes when reporting EIA surveys? (5/10/2006)

Q. Is it possible to report negative values for downgraded ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel on EIA surveys?(5/10/2006)

Q. Is the EIA product called "distillate fuel oil 15 ppm sulfur and under" (EIA product code 465) intended to be the same as ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel? (5/10/2006)

Q. Are losses of ultra-low-sulfur distillate fuel oil the same as downgraded volumes when reporting EIA surveys?

A. (Applies to EIA-801, 802, 811, 812)
We consider losses of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (distillate fuel oil 0 ppm - 15 ppm sulfur, EIA product code 465) to be the same as downgraded volumes for the purpose of reporting on EIA surveys. Downgraded volumes for EIA survey reporting may be calculated as beginning stocks plus receipts minus shipments minus ending stocks.

For example, a pipeline operator with ultra-low-sulfur diesel begins a month with stocks of 100 thousand barrels, they receive 200 thousand barrels, they ship 250 thousand barrels and end the month with stocks of 40 thousand barrels. In this example, downgraded ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel reported to EIA would be calculated as 100 thousand barrels plus 200 thousand barrels minus 250 thousand barrels minus 40 thousand barrels equals 10 thousand barrels downgraded.

The calculation described above will work for monthly or weekly data. The difference, other than the different reporting period, is monthly downgraded diesel fuel data are reported by PAD District while weekly downgraded diesel fuel data are reported only at the U.S. level.

Q. Is it possible to report negative values for downgraded ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel on EIA surveys?

A. (Applies to EIA-801, 802, 811, 812)
Yes, we expect to see some negative values reported for downgraded ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel. This will indicate cases where downgraded diesel fuel was recertified as ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.

Q. Is the EIA product called "distillate fuel oil 15 ppm sulfur and under" (EIA product code 465) intended to be the same as ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel?

A. (Applies to EIA-801, 802, 811, 812)
Yes. While the product name gives a specific sulfur range, the intent was to capture all of the ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel even in cases where the sulfur content may exceed 15 ppm. Examples of diesel fuel with sulfur content exceeding 15 ppm that would be reported to EIA as "distillate fuel oil 15 ppm sulfur and under" include fuel with sulfur content greater than 15 ppm but within test tolerance, and fuel with sulfur content greater than 15 ppm during transitions or other periods when EPA regulations allow such fuel to be sold as ultra-low-sulfur diesel. Fuel with sulfur content greater than 15 ppm that is handled and intended for sale as ultra-low-sulfur diesel should be excluded from downgraded diesel volumes reported to EIA.