Petroecuador reported on September 3, 2026, that it produced premium diesel with less than 35 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur at the Esmeraldas refinery. ^[1] The Government of Ecuador confirmed that the sulfur concentration in Diesel Premium has reached levels below 35 parts per million (ppm). ^[2] The Automotive Companies Association of Ecuador (Aeade) recognized the national government and Petroecuador for improving the quality of premium diesel in the country. ^[3] Oswaldo Erazo, manager of Abastec, stated that for the less than 35 ppm level to become permanent, it must be incorporated into a standard by the Ecuadorian Institute of Normalization (INEN). ^[4] The 35 ppm sulfur level is 15 ppm below the 50 ppm limit established by President Daniel Noboa through an executive decree. ^[5] Petroecuador, the state-owned company, verified the quality improvement at the Esmeraldas refinery through a test run using a catalyst in the Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit. ^[6] Petroecuador confirmed that a test operation at the Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit of the Esmeraldas Refinery verified the unit's capacity to produce diesel with sulfur content under 50 ppm. ^[7] Aeade stated that the reduction in sulfur directly and positively impacts air quality and public health. ^[8] This action complies with Executive Decree No. 126, which was signed in September 2025. ^[9] Petroecuador estimated that recovering the full capacity of the complex would reduce premium diesel imports by approximately 24 percent. ^[10] The regulatory limit for sulfur in fuel was updated from 250 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg following a reform to the NTE INEN 1489 standard. ^[11] Genaro Baldeón of the Automotive Enterprises Association of Ecuador (AEADE) argued that the current standards should not be the final goal and that Ecuador should advance toward Euro VI technology standards. ^[12]