thats what I was thinking too.....and to all those that say, "why would they change the formulation?" I say this......Unocal does NOT put MTBE in their fuels, I believe they use Ethanol. MTBE is an oxygenate, that was used to replace Lead as an octane booster....but the concentration of it has been increased to meet Emissions standards and cause gasoline to burn cleaner. So in these higher concentrations, they actually lower the performace of the gasoline (there IS such thing, as too much of a good thing.) Ethanol is a more volatile oxygenate, and will allow the fuels to meet Emissions requirements, without infringing on its performance characteristics. Chevron, as far as I know still uses MTBE in thier fuel, there for, if Chevron takes over Unocal.....it is quite possible that they will start putting MTBE back into Unocal fuel, without actually changing the formulation of the fuel itself, just changes the oxygenates......MTBE is also cheaper than Ethanol, and as that article said, that Chevron will be cost cutting after this merger.....well....say bye bye to Ethanol, say bye bye to GOOD Unocal 76 gas....even if it is still under the same name.

-Ted

 

true.

I was talking to one of my tech guys about the influence the government has in these mergers. Kind of a conspiracy theory conversation with some good thoughts. Like how is it that all these huge mergers are slipping through during bush's last term. All these huge companies that are run by guys that say...play golf and drink beer with bush. All these mergers that are clearly unethical and counter fair business. Like this one, the AT&T/SBC merger, the Verizon deal with the largest cell provider out of south america and mexico. Mergers going to key companies instead of the high bidder. Etc.

I do think that if this is allowed the formula will change for one or the other. Most likely in the form of reduced ethenol. Easier and cheaper for chevron to produce the same for everyone. It's crap that california has to deal with this ****tier gas anyways. BOOOO>

 

I thought MTBE had to be phased out in the next couple of years due to it seeping through the underground tanks and into the ground/soil, or something like that.


I think that 76 stations will be Chevron stations in the future, just like when 76 bought out BP, they changed to 76.

 

Thats True....In 2000, the EPA drafted plans to phase out the use of MTBE nationwide over the next four years. However, upon taking office, the Bush administration cancelled those plans. Although the CA MTBE ban was supposed to go into effect by Jan. 1, 2004....there are literally hundreds of lawsuits currently active against MTBE producing oil companies for "irresponsibly manufacturing and distributing MTBE." Plus, "Between 2000 and 2004, the top three MTBE manufacturers have donated over $1 million to the United States Republican Party and key members." (aka George W.)

Source

So who knows.

-Ted

 

cheaper gas prices with less competition








april fools