FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gulf Oil LP, a national branded supplier of motor fuels throughout the United States and its territories, announced today that it has deployed 34 transport trucks that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). In addition, Gulf will soon be supplying and distributing LNG as a cost-effective, clean alternative fuel to customers in the transportation sector and other interested bulk users. Gulf’s move into the LNG marketplace is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to diversify its energy offerings and provide the marketplace with a fuel alternative that is cheaper, cleaner, and domestic.
“Investing in LNG-powered vehicles is an important step for Gulf Oil and for our nation,” said Joe Petrowski, Chief Executive Officer of the Cumberland Gulf Group of Companies. “Natural gas can provide significant cost benefits as a transportation fuel source, while burning cleaner and reducing dependence on foreign oil.“
“We intend to convert more of our fleet and to supply and distribute LNG to our customers,” said Laura Scott, Senior Vice President of New Business Ventures. “The economic benefits are remarkable. For example, Fleets that have more than 10 vehicles that use at least 20,000 gallons per year in a ‘return-to-base operation’ can expect to lock in an after-tax internal rate of return in the 20 to 35 percent range. For our own fleet, we locked in a five year discount against diesel costs to guarantee a significant return on investment.”
Gulf’s new vehicles are Peterbilt 386 liquefied natural gas trucks incorporating Westport™ Heavy Duty 15 liter high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) systems. Gulf will assist its fleet customers in all aspects of conversion, including vehicle selection, acquisition, hedging, operations, and regulatory requirements.
“At Gulf, we believe the most effective way to increase market penetration for natural gas in the transportation sector is for large, centrally-fueled fleets that self-supply to lock in the current spread between natural gas and diesel, which will ensure a return on their investment even if the price of crude oil declines back below $75 per barrel,” said Ron Sabia, President of Gulf Oil. “They will know on a daily basis what price they are paying and will not need to rely upon a third party’s retail price.”
About Gulf Oil LP
Gulf Oil Limited Partnership is a national, branded supplier of motor fuels throughout the United States and its territories. The company launched Gulf Electricity in January 2012, which currently provides discounted electricity service to consumers and small businesses in Connecticut. Gulf remains one of the Northeast's largest wholesalers of refined petroleum products and is well on its way up the rankings in the rest of the country, too. Gulf Oil distributes motor fuels through a network of more than 2,500 branded gasoline retail centers, 12 proprietary oil terminals, and more than 130 other supply points. Gulf Oil supplies gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel and kerosene through its terminal network.