Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Friday, January 26, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - After reports of repeated fuel pump failures, Shell Canada is investigating whether the new low-emission fuel might be causing the problem.

Shell Canada Spokesperson Jana Saunderson said the repeated fuel pump failures reported in Yellowknife are not isolated incidents.

"We're investigating, but it's too early to determine the cause," said Saunderson.

Richard Parisella has had to replace the fuel pump at his home three times in one week, and a fuel pump at work twice in one week. He said he can't imagine the failures could be caused by anything but the low-emission fuel recently introduced.

"I'm 99 per cent sure it's the fuel," said Parisella. He said it costs him between $250 and $300 each time the pumps need to be replaced. He said if it's the fuel that's been the problem, the oil company should be picking up the bill.

Canadian Environmental Protection Agency regulations required oil companies to reduce the sulphur content of their fuel by 2006.

Eric Henderson also suspects the problems he has had with his fuel pump stem from the fuel change.

After having problems with his fuel pump, Henderson said he found a solution, which was to add automatic transmission fluid to the fuel.

"But it's defeating the purpose of low sulphur fuel," said Henderson. "Because when you put in the transmission fluid, it's also burning."

Parisella also dealt with his fuel pump problems by adding a conditioner to the fuel.

Saunderson said that Shell Canada also suspects the low-emission fuel might be the problem.

"Whenever we have issues like this, we try to pinpoint what has changed recently," said Saunderson.

Parisella gave his pumps to Shell to be tested in Calgary to see if the problem is the fuel.

Saunderson said it was her understanding that the problems with low-emission fuel are not isolated to Shell Canada.

Jon Hamilton, a spokesperson for Petro Canada, said although he has heard that some companies may be having problems with fuel pumps, he hasn't heard of any problems with his company in Yellowknife. Hamilton said the problem could stem from changes made at the oil refineries.