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| Dangote holds sample of petrol from his refinery in Lagos |
On Tuesday, Aliko Dangote introduced a colourless petrol from his refinery, a significant departure from the yellowish or reddish-pink petrol that Nigerians are used to. This has sparked discussions about the quality of petrol in the country.
“You might think it looks different, but this is the real thing,” Dangote said while showcasing the product. “You will now have good petrol, and your car engines will last longer. No more engine problems like before. The quality here matches global standards, and we won’t be beaten on quality.”
Dangote’s statements and the petrol’s clear appearance have led some to question whether the usual coloured petrol in Nigeria is of inferior quality. But does the colour of petrol really matter?
WHAT IS PETROL?
Petrol, also called gasoline, is a liquid fuel used in cars. According to the National Geographic Society, petrol is a clear or slightly yellowish liquid made from crude oil, which can come in a range of colours from black to greenish, reddish, or tan.
WHAT COLOUR IS PETROL SUPPOSED TO BE?
According to Car from Japan, a car marketplace, petrol has no fixed colour. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbons, such as heptane and octane, which are used for different types of vehicles. These hydrocarbons can be mixed with other substances that cause the petrol’s colour to change, typically making it yellow, orange, or brown.
In its purest form, petrol is colourless or clear, similar to clean water. The colour only changes when additives are introduced.
IS COLOURLESS PETROL SUPERIOR?
Joe Nwakue, a former chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, explained that petrol is nearly clear when first produced. Manufacturers may add colour to differentiate between grades, but the colour itself does not indicate the quality.
"If no properties are altered, the colour alone doesn't reflect the quality of the petrol," Nwakue said. The maker may choose to colour petrol for easy identification, but that doesn’t affect its quality.
Similarly, HunterLab, a US-based company that makes colour measurement tools, says that checking the colour of petrol scientifically helps ensure it meets the right standards. Colour is used in quality control and monitoring for contamination.
WHAT INFLUENCES PETROL COLOUR?
Professor Akpunonu Okey, a petroleum geosciences expert from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, noted that the type of crude oil used in production affects the colour of petrol. The presence of sulphur and other factors during refinement can influence its appearance, but these elements do not determine quality.
DOES COLOUR MATTER FOR PETROL QUALITY?
In conclusion, the colour of petrol—whether clear, yellow, or reddish—does not necessarily indicate its quality. The type of crude oil and refining process play a role in its appearance, but the real test of quality lies in how well it meets established production standards.
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