China's new fuel standard
Under pressure, Sinopec launches cleaner Beijing Six gasoline
After years of foot-dragging, China's Sinopec began supplying Beijing with its new lower-emission Beijing Six grade of petrol and diesel during February. The capital's residents should breathe a little more freely. A breakthrough for China, the fuel is considered a world-class standard that draws on technology from the EU and US. "Beijing Six promises tremendous emission reductions for all types of conventional pollutants," notes the G20-funded consultancy, International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The fuel is certainly a major advance on China Five, the current standard that is still being rolled out elsewhere in the country and is due to be available everywhere by the end of 20
Also in this section
5 March 2026
Gas is a central pillar of Colombia’s energy system, but declining production poses a significant challenge, and LNG will be increasingly needed as a stopgap. A recent major offshore gas discovery offers hope, but policy improvements are also required, Camilo Morales, secretary general of Naturgas, the Colombian gas association, tells Petroleum Economist
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
4 March 2026
The US president has repeatedly promised to lower gasoline prices, but this ambition conflicts with his parallel aim to increase drilling and could be upended by his war against Iran
4 March 2026
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat






