The Dominican Petroleum Refinery, a joint venture of the Dominican government and Shell Company, will invest RD$7 million to make the conversion to an unleaded gasoline refinery. Donald Huberts, general manager of the refinery, said that the low investment is because, over the years, the refinery has invested in the necessary modifications. As of January 1999, the Refinery will only produce unleaded gasoline, which is better for the environment and people’s health. He indicated that in 1990, the amount of lead in gasoline was reduced to 2.3 grams per gallon, in 1995 to 1.5 grams, in 1996, to 1.2 grams, and in 1998, to 0.5 grams. The D.R. imports some 40,000 barrels (1.7 million gallons) a day from Venezuela. The refinery processes 1.3 million gallons, and some 3 million gallons are sold daily. He commented that when Refidomsa began its operations, the demand was for 1,176,000 gallons a day. Twenty-five years later, demand has tripled. He also indicated that in 1991 they imported 10,217 barrels of crude and 6.619 of finished products, while in 1997, six years later, the country is importing 12,094 barrels of crude and 18,070 in finished products, mostly from Venezuela and Mexico. On occasion of the 25th anniversary of the company, he also said that the D.R.’s petroleum bill is US$628 million a year, 25% of the total foreign exchange receipts.
