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To assist with the hours of television coverage of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Certas Energy partnered with FTVS (Film & Television Services) to deliver a cleaner, greener broadcast by fuelling its specialist twin set generators with Shell GTL Fuel.
The fuel, which is exclusively available from Certas Energy in the UK, reduced emission levels, noise and strong-smelling fumes for the thousands of spectators lining the streets in Windsor.
“Diesel powered generators can often be noisy and pump out strong-smelling fumes so when Certas Energy first told us about the performance benefits of Shell GTL Fuel last year we were keen to trial it,” explained FTVS technical director, Chris Pratt,
“Our clients are increasingly specifying the use of cleaner, greener fuels and we have now used this fuel for a range of projects including BBC Springwatch, Big Brother and the Open at Royal Birkdale.”
“As a direct replacement for diesel, we haven’t had to make any modifications to our equipment or storage tanks.
The fuel’s improved combustion properties reduce emission levels of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) to immediately improve local air quality. Paraffinic fuels are also free of unwanted components such as sulphur, metals, and aromatics, making them non-toxic and less harmful to the environment.
GTL offers another important advantage when used in back-up generators. Contamination issues can often occur when storing fuel for long periods of time caused by bacterial growth. Shell GTL however is FAME free which reduces the risk of bacterial growth resulting in a longer shelf life for the fuel. GTL Fuel also has a better starting performance in cold conditions compared to conventional diesel which is another benefit when working on outdoor sets although hopefully the royal couple and well-wishers will enjoy good weather on their special day!
“We were delighted to work with FTVS to fuel the coverage of the royal wedding which was watched on television by millions of people across the world,” commented Certas Energy marketing manager, Emma-Jayne Brown.
“It’s been great to see the immediate benefits FTVS has experienced having switched to Shell GTL and the positive response they’ve had from broadcast and production companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint without affecting performance or reliability.”
To find out more about the benefits of Shell GTL Fuel please click here.
“Oil is the cheapest option for off grid homes and has been since October 2014,” says FPS chief executive Guy Pulham. The FPS is urging all those using oil to have their say and ‘make a big difference to the future of heating oil’
“It’s vital that everyone who uses heating oil has a say on A Future Framework For Heat In Buildings – and seizes the opportunity to voice their opinion to make a difference to this most critical government consultation,” says FPS chief executive, Guy Pulham.
“The current government’s policy seems to be encouraging moving rural households and businesses – currently using oil heating – to electrically driven heat pumps to cut carbon emissions, reports Guy.
“We’re concerned that this may place a large financial burden on many rural communities whose housing stock will need additional costly insulation to make the investment in heat pumps provide competitive energy bills.”
“According to the latest quarterly data released on 30th April 2018 by Sutherland Tables, running an oil condensing boiler currently remains far cheaper than any renewable heating options. The average annual cost of heating a three-bedroom home in Great Britain with an oil condensing boiler is £1143 per annum compared to an air source heat pump radiator system at £1685 per annum and electricity is £1913 per annum. For homes using an LPG condensing boiler the cost is £1567 and wood pellets is £1532.
“Oil is the cheapest option for off grid homes and has been since October 2014.”
This month’s Cornish front cover star, Consols Oils, has entered its Isuzu Truck Forward N75.150 (M) Urban 7.5 tonners for the title of 2018 Fuel Oil News tanker of the year.
Group board director Mark Binns presents the winning driver Michael Williams with his prizes
Driver technician Michael Williams has been crowned HOYER Petrolog’s top driver of 2018. Based with the Petrolog Fleet at Stanlow in Cheshire, Michael, who received a £2250 Red Letter Day prize, has worked for HOYER for just over three years.
Last month 14 drivers representing each of the company’s major UK contracts* were invited to the finals which took place at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire where Sigma Studies partnered HOYER in creating the event.
Mabanaft’s James Alden presents top scoring Ian Gibson of Certas Energy with his GoPro HERO5 action camera at FPS Expo 2018
Mabanaft is delighted to announce that Ian Gibson of Certas Energy won their MABAMAYHEM competition at FPS EXPO this year. It was a challenging contest but Ian really persevered to achieve 24,000 points, making him this year’s top scorer!
Ian, who won a fabulous GoPro HERO5 action camera – made to capture photos and videos in extreme conditions, said:
“I was delighted with the prize. I have booked a ride on a massive zip wire in Wales soon and was thinking of buying a GoPro to capture the experience, so this was perfect!
This was my second visit to FPS and it was great to catch up with James and Martin at the event. Mabanaft is a great company to work alongside and we genuinely appreciate the support that we receive from their professional, dedicated marketers.”
Mabanaft’s commercial director, Martin Cook, said:
“Ian is a regional supplies coordinator at Certas Energy, a long-standing customer of Mabanaft. We were all delighted to see him achieve such a high score and win the coveted prize.” www.mabalive.co.uk/news
As expansion manager for JET Germany, Soenke Voges was instrumental in bringing more than 100 new sites into the German portfolio within 5 years
To strengthen the brand and drive further growth in JET’s UK forecourt network, the company has appointed Soenke Voges as its new UK retail business manager.
Reporting directly to Mary Wolf, managing director of UK marketing, Soenke will oversee JET’s sales, brand, retail services and transport operations. Soenke was formerly expansion manager for JET Germany where he was instrumental in bringing more than 100 new sites into JET Germany’s portfolio in just five years.
“My initial focus will be on reviewing JET’s UK operations and taking advantage of best practices from our operations in North America and Europe where we have achieved considerable success. Working closely with my highly capable and ambitious teams here in UK marketing, my priority is to develop a future-proof strategy that will ensure JET’s continued growth throughout 2018 and beyond.”
JET has further strengthened its presence in the south east with three new sites Basildon Service Station in Reading, Brookside Filling Station in Hungerford and Postcombe Service Station in Thame, Oxfordshire. The sites which have a combined volume of 5mlpa, have already been reimaged and are being supplied out of the West London Terminal. It is anticipated that volumes will rise considerably under the JET brand.
“The south east is an important growth region for JET,” said Chris Murphy, JET’s retail account manager for the south east.
We don’t currently have many JET sites in Reading or Oxford, so it’s great that we can introduce the JET brand to these new communities. We’re delighted to welcome these new sites to our network and look forward to helping them flourish in the coming months and years.”www.jetlocal.co.uk/jet-fuels/
The recently updated Blue Book produced by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) and Service Station Panel of The Energy Institute (EI), states that it will be a fundamental expectation of any forecourt operator with single-skin pipes or tanks to implement wetstock management going forward reports Suresite.
Guy Pulham – the FPS has been active in voicing members concerns and lobbying government about the impact of changes to oil storage in Scotland
Last month, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) met with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) regarding the introduction of new legislation which affects over 95 heating oil and fuel distribution depots across Scotland.
The new legislation, which came into force in January 2018, has made changes to regulation for sites which store oils under the existing Oil Storage Regulations (OSR) (Scotland), such that they now come under the scope of the amended Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR).
Voicing members concerns about the impact of the new legislation and the timings to comply, FPS was encouraged by positive dialogue during the meeting and has subsequently reached agreement with SEPA on:
Valero Logistics UK, a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, has completed the purchase of DCC Energy’s fuel storage terminal in Belfast.
With the purchase of DCC’s terminal, Valero will now have equity storage in Belfast, a platform from which the company can strengthen its supply position in Northern Ireland.
“It was a natural step for us to buy DCC’s terminal,” said Mike Lewis, Valero’s vice president Europe product supply.
“It anchors us in the Northern Ireland market and reinforces our long-term commitment to our customers there. It will give us added flexibility and will ensure we can continue to deliver a competitive and reliable service.”
Valero has been using the DCC fuel storage terminal and the nearby NuStar terminal to supply its Northern Ireland customers, and will continue to use both terminals to supply fuel for the foreseeable future.
“The two terminals will act as twin platforms from which we can provide our customers with a reliable supply of fuel,” added Mike.
“For our existing customers, the change of ownership will be seamless – business as usual – while any new customers can feel confident they’ll get a reliable service, backed by the robust Valero supply chain centred on our refinery at Pembroke in Wales.”
The fuel terminal has ten storage tanks for fuel oil and distillates.
www.valero.com
Going to the ends of the earth to help Borne
Through its depots in Birtley, Hartlepool, Thetford and York, Oil NRG has lent its support to Borne, a medical research charity which aims to identify the causes of premature birth.
Earlier this month a team of 10, including former English rugby player, Will Greenwood MBE, a Sky commentator, Borne Patron and friend of Oil NRG, embarked on a 10-day expedition.
In one of the most extreme tests of physical and psychological endurance, the team traversed the last half degree to the North Pole crossing the frozen ocean to reach the ends of the earth.
The team set a target of £1,050,000 with Oil NRG aiming to raise £2,500 to help save lives, prevent disability and give millions of children the chance of a full life, free of disability. Borne will use funds raised to support its vital research into the causes and prevention of preterm labour and births.
To date Oil NRG has raised over £1,706 of its £2,500 fund raising target.
“We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has donated so far,” said Oil NRG’s sales director, Jeremy Royle.
“All donations will help – no matter how big or small!”
To support Oil NRG’s fund-raising, please visitwww.justgiving.com/fundraising/oil-nrg
“The fact that fuel poverty levels are already higher in rural locations makes government proposals to omit oil boilers from the next round of ECO even more nonsensical,” says OFTEC CEO, Paul Rose.
OFTEC has expressed major concerns that government proposals to exclude oil boilers from the next round of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme would unfairly discriminate against rural households and lead to even higher levels of fuel poverty.
The Scottish Secure Parking Group (SSPG), of which the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is a member, is seeking views on secure HGV parking across the UK, but particularly in Scotland.
Having created a short survey, the SSPG is hoping to hear from industry including HGV companies, members of the public and other interested parties such as local authorities, government representatives and councillors.
It is the first time, on a national basis, that the public, elected representatives and those involved in haulage and logistics will be able to provide an accurate snapshot of the situation as it currently exists at the moment.
The SSPG wants to hear about incidents of crime directly or indirectly attributable to off-site, insecure parking and its impact on business and communities. It is gathering evidence on whether the current lack of secure parking is impacting on the haulage and logistics industries as well as having a detrimental effect on local communities, and what needs to be done to improve the situation.
The anonymous survey, which opened on Monday (23rd), takes about 10 minutes to complete and is open until Friday 25th May.
The online survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MQ2HK3Q
The survey is not the end of the story, it is intended that the information will be used to inform further debate, discussion and ultimately action, to alleviate the current situation.
Guy Pulham – the FPS has been active in voicing members concerns and lobbying government about the impact of changes to oil storage in Scotland
Last month, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) met with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) regarding the introduction of new legislation which affects over 95 heating oil and fuel distribution depots across Scotland.
The new legislation, which came into force in January 2018, has made changes to regulation for sites which store oils under the existing Oil Storage Regulations (OSR) (Scotland), such that they now come under the scope of the amended Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR).
Voicing members concerns about the impact of the new legislation and the timings to comply, FPS was encouraged by positive dialogue during the meeting and has subsequently reached agreement with SEPA on:
The government’s amendments to the road user levy charges announced last month are another step on the road to improving air quality for all of us, but at the expense of small and medium-sized businesses, which will be unfairly penalised by the changes in money payable, says the Freight Transport Association (FTA).
According to FTA the new charges place an increased burden on the small and medium sized businesses across the UK, delivering the goods and services needed to keep the economy moving:
“The reduction of 10% in the road user levy for Euro VI lorries is good news,” says Christopher Snelling, FTA’s head of UK policy.
“This shows recognition for the success of the HGV Euro VI vehicles, which have 80% lower real world local emissions than previous lorries. However, the introduction of the increased levy on pre-Euro VI trucks will actually hurt those small and medium sized business that already face increased costs as many need to upgrade to Euro VI vehicle early to be compliant with the planned Clean Air Zones.
“It hurts them because the re-sale value of their slightly older lorries, the Euro IV and Vs, has fallen so much – making the jump to afford a new Euro VI so much greater.”
FTA believes the government should have loaded the increase on to older most polluting lorries (Euro III and below) to create a short-term market for the Euro IV and V vehicles that those delivering to city centres will be seeking to sell on.
“Trucks have been getting cleaner for decades,” added Christopher.
“We’re not dealing with an intractable problem but merely the question of how soon do the beneficial changes come. The government’s approach to cleaner air risks putting some smaller hauliers’ livelihoods at risk for only a temporary gain on air quality. The reform of the Levy was an opportunity to help, and for the most part the Government has failed to take it.”
www.fta.co.uk
UKPIA director general, Stephen Marcos Jones, attended the annual reception for the UK downstream oil industry where Martin Vickers MP acknowledged the sector to ‘be a valuable and strategic asset which we rely on in our daily lives’
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the UK oil refining sector, in partnership with the UK Petroleum Industry Association, held its annual parliamentary reception for the UK downstream oil industry last month.
“This successful event presented an ideal opportunity to highlight the importance of the downstream oil sector,” said Martin Vickers MP and APPG chair on the UK oil refining sector, who hosted the event.
“This sector is a valuable and strategic asset and one with a long track record as a reliable supplier of energy, fuels and feedstocks for other industrial sectors and processes, providing the building blocks of countless products which we rely on in our everyday lives.
“It is also a sector that offers incredible career opportunities. Through the APPG’s programme of events and roundtables, we have celebrated the extraordinary talent of the young people working in this sector and we continue to raise awareness of the exciting opportunities that are available to them within the downstream oil industry at every educational level.”
“We were also delighted to welcome Claire Perry MP, energy and clean growth minister, as guest of honour and keynote speaker,” said Stephen Marcos Jones, UKPIA’s director general
“Our sector plays a central role in spurring innovation, advancing technological breakthroughs and enabling our daily lives. As we look to the future, we have work to do, together, to ensure that it can continue to deliver and thrive.”www.ukpia.com
Paul Denmead director of terminal operations UK for World Fuel Services
In late March Paul Denmead, director of terminal operations UK for World Fuel Services and vice-president of the Tank Storage Association (TSA) took over as president when Andrew Amos stepped down as president.
To help with the implementation of TSA’s forward plans, Andrew has taken over Paul’s vice-president role for a period of 12 months.
“As I have now retired from my position as projects director for UM Storage, it is appropriate that I also hand over presidency of the TSA to Paul Denmead,” said Andrew Amos.
“The past 18 months leading the TSA has been a privilege and I have seen a dramatic change in the direction and growth of our association. Our status and visibility with government and related agencies has grown significantly which is critically important to serving the needs of our expanding membership.
“I am confident that Paul Denmead and Peter Davidson will continue to drive forward change, ensuring that we continue to be the focus of knowledge and experience for bulk liquid storage and terminal operations.
I will remain as vice-president of the TSA so that I can offer any support and guidance required.”www.tankstorage.org.uk