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Keen to reach more homes and businesses across the South East, Watson Fuels has opened a new depot in Headcorn, Kent. It joins Watson Fuels’ network of nearly 35 depots across the UK which, together, offer national reach combined with the friendly local service Watson Fuels customers have come to expect for over 60 years.
The Headcorn depot replaces an existing facility in Hawkhurst, Kent, and brings with it greater capacity to serve more customers. Through this new purpose-built depot, Watson Fuels is now able to take on new customers in the area and can serve homes and businesses in even the most rural locations across the South East.
“Kent has excellent road links, one of the UK’s busiest ports in Dover, and hundreds of fantastic rural businesses,” Scott Roberts – operations & logistics director at Watson Fuels explains. “It makes sense for us to invest in the area – a location that remains key to both national and local industry. Our new depot enables us to reach more customers across the region, helping businesses and families in the South East to manage their fuel supply easily and cost-effectively.”
“I am delighted to be in a position to confirm the new site at Headcorn, Kent is now fully operational. The new site further supports our desire to be our customers’ number one choice in Kent. And, for our colleagues, the new site investment demonstrates our commitment to them ensuring they have the facilities to operate safely and efficiently as we grow our business further.”
The new Headcorn depot marks the latest in a series of operational investments by Watson Fuels. In the last 18 months, the distributor has opened a new facility in Grangemouth – the first Watson depot in Scotland – and a new operational location in East London, as well as improving the tank infrastructure and capacity within a number of existing depot and office locations. Watson has also been modernising its 350-strong fleet of tankers and will have replaced over 30% of the fleet with brand-new vehicles before the end of 2021.
The investments are key steps in making sure that, as Watson Fuels’ services grow, it continues to stay reliable, offering customers a cost-effective, efficient and dependable service.
Essar Oil UK’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex has achieved Gold in the internationally-renowned RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, which offer a prime opportunity to benchmark safety performance year on year and ensure consistent performance between sites. They also provide an effective route to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to raising health and safety standards.
Established in 1956, the longest-running industry awards scheme in the UK, which receives over 2,000 entries from organisations around the world, recognises achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of qualifications, awards and events, said;
“The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, but it receives entries from organisations around the world, making it one of the most sought-after global accolades in health and safety.
“RoSPA wants every employee, wherever they are, to work safe in the knowledge that they will be going home unharmed and healthy at the end of every day. The RoSPA Award winners are vital to help achieve this goal, as by entering they are driving up standards and setting new benchmarks for organisations everywhere. Currently, around seven million people are directly impacted by the RoSPA Awards, but the scheme’s influence is even wider.”
Jon Barden, chief operating officer at Essar, commented;
“Health and Safety is a continuous focus for everyone at Essar. We are pleased to once again receive the Gold RoSPA award, recognising our commitment to maintaining the highest health and safety standards and safe working environment which ensures our staff and business partners get home safely to their families at the end of every working day.”
Adler and Allan has agreed a three-year partnership with Hoyer Petrolog UK Ltd to carry out road tanker testing across its road fuel tanker fleet.
The contract will include holding their fleet details on a secure database, to ensure that all tests are carried out on schedule. Clients have password-protected database access to view their fleet information, including test results and certificates.
The integrity of the barrel and tank on road tankers should be tested every two years according to the Road Traffic (Carriage of Dangerous Substances in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1992.
Adler and Allan is approved by the Department for Transport to provide road tanker testing across the UK and issue Safe Loading Passes as well as meeting strict UKAS standards. The company is also approved and accredited for testing general purpose and bitumen tanks as well as meter and fire extinguisher testing which is required annually.
Andrew Clarke, Forecourt Services managing director, Adler and Allan, said;
“We are delighted that Hoyer Petrolog UK Ltd has trusted us with their road tanker testing in the UK. As well as road tanker testing we are accredited to perform vapour tightness testing, intermediate and periodic inspection and testing.
“We are also experts in chemical compliance and have a 24/7 hazardous materials advice line. If you are transporting any bulk liquid in the UK, we can ensure you remain compliant and safe.”
The news follows the latest announcement that Adler and Allan has extended its leak detection capability by offering Leighton O’Brien’s Automatic Tank Gauge Alarm Management solution and Wetstock Live fuel management software to the UK petroleum industry.
Family business, Gardner Garages Limited, has recently opened another Texaco site, City Service Station in Hereford. This will bring the current number of Gardner Garages sites under the Texaco brand to four with their first site Gardner General Garage in Huntley joining over 20 years ago. The three existing sites have recently signed long term renewals with the Texaco brand as well.
Portico, a deep-water cargo terminal owned by Portsmouth City Council and based within Portsmouth International Port, is taking action to minimise its impact on local air quality by powering its cargo handling operations with a low emission alternative fuel.
The business is working with Certas Energy to implement the use of a cleaner burning diesel alternative, Shell GTL Fuel, in its port side fleet, plant and machinery.
Exclusively supplied in the UK by Certas Energy, Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) is a paraffinic fuel known for its improved combustion properties. It is proven to reduce emission levels of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) to immediately improve local air quality.
Trials have shown that Shell GTL Fuel can reduce NOx emissions by up to 37% and PM by up to 50% compared to conventional diesel. As a drop-in fuel, Shell GTL Fuel can be used as a direct replacement for diesel to improve air quality without the need for expensive modifications to existing engines or investment in infrastructure.
The fuel is free of unwanted components such as sulphur, metals and aromatics, which make it non-toxic, biodegradable and less harmful to the environment. This is a significant added benefit for Portico, which works in close proximity to marine ecosystems.
Shell GTL Fuel also produces less odour, smoke and engine noise than conventional diesel to create a more pleasant working environment for port operatives. Its improved engine starting performance in colder conditions makes it a year-round reliable fuel choice.
The low emission fuel will be used across Portico’s extensive fleet of vehicles, plant and machinery, helping to reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
Steve Williams, operations director at Portico, said; “We are constantly pursuing cleaner ways of working to minimise our environmental impact in the port area and for the local community. By transitioning to a cleaner burning fuel with Certas Energy, we can reduce harmful local emissions of PM and NOx to make an immediate and positive difference to local air quality.”
Further to news of the significant safety milestone achieved at Stanlow, a donation of £3,000 has been made to the Ellesmere Port based Boaty Theatre Company to support the delivery of their summer programme for local children. The funds were raised through Essar’s ‘Let’s Give’ scheme, which links the company’s commitment to safety directly with charitable giving and came after one million hours without a Recordable Injury were recently achieved at the refinery.
The awarding-winning team at The Boaty Theatre Company provide a safe and a supportive environment for local young people of all abilities to achieve their creative ambitions through on-going projects, performances, workshops and creative activities. Boaty Theatre were quick to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, moving rehearsals online and social groups going virtual to ensure all their regular beneficiaries were safe and well during isolation. In response to challenges facing the local community, the team devised and launched a free summer programme, which local young people could join in person or online.
Consisting of four hours of creative workshops every weekday throughout the holidays, the programme includes drama sessions, creative writing and music production, together with yoga, mindfulness and art therapy. The team also created activity packs required to join in workshops from home. These were given to over 400 local children, helping families struggling with the cost of home schooling. The charity has also been able to provide in excess of 30 free lunches every day through external support.
Artistic director for The Boaty Theatre Company and Summer Programme Lead, Laura Harris, said; “We were delighted to discover that Essar knew of and wished to support our work. This surprising donation will really help us out and enable us to address differentiated provision for the remainder of the summer programme. It’s so encouraging to be recognised in such a manner and be supported by a company so intrinsically linked with the town.”
Sponsors of the Valero UK Benefit for Children Classic have gone above and beyond for charity, donating over £169,000 for children’s charities, even though the event this year did not take place. When the annual charity golf and karting event was cancelled earlier in the year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Valero was concerned that the charities would miss out. So they asked their sponsors if they would help out.
Last week UKIFDA announced, through social media, that it has begun the search for a new CEO.
Posting on LinkedIn, UKIFDA outlined the high-profile role and its desire to find an inspiring leader to drive a culture of collaboration and engagement, whilst continuing to deliver UKIFDA’s strategy and future vision to steer the transition to renewable fuels in future energy policy in the UK and Ireland.
Having taken on the role in February 2018, and worked tirelessly, in support of the membership, to keep liquid fuels on the future energy agenda, current CEO Guy Pulham commented; “I look forward to handing over to my successor. Someone with renewables experience who can help ensure that bio liquid fuels are included in consumers’ decarbonisation choices in the UK and Ireland.”
A spokesperson for UKIFDA said; “In order to fulfil this role, we are seeking to appoint a dynamic candidate. Whether a serving CEO, or you are looking for a career step, the ideal candidate will have experience or a strong working knowledge within the renewable sector and a good understanding of the UK fuel distribution industry, operating and influencing at government level with established industry and government contacts and relationships”.
The closing date for applications is August 28.
The Craggs Energy Group has appointed a new chief financial officer and is actively seeking several acquisitions across the North of England.
TSA associate member Reynolds Training Services has had its Bulk Storage Operator Technician qualification approved by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) – the first level 3 diploma to be approved by IChemE.
Part of a two-year apprenticeship offering a wider focus on process and occupational safety, human factors and emergency response and aligning these elements with technical operations, approval has been awarded for Reynolds Training Services’ sector leading Bulk Storage Operator Technician level 3 diploma. The programme is a mix of vocational and academic learning delivered in conjunction with HETA (Humberside Engineering Training Association) at Reynolds Training Services’ who are based at the CATCH Training facility in Stallingborough North East Lincolnshire.
John Reynolds, managing director at Reynolds Training Services, said; “This is a huge milestone in the progression of this qualification and embedding it into the apprenticeship programme and offers a real career pathway for those entering the industry, or for those currently employed within the sector and looking for a wider progression route.
“It was brought about through excellent teamwork and coordination with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the Tank Storage Association and the wider team at Reynolds Training Services Ltd. I am extremely proud of the work undertaken and the achievement gained.”
The IChemE assessors commended Reynolds Training Services for their outstanding simulation facility of a full-scale tank farm that offers a realistic, professional environment and which provides trainee engineers ample work-based experience in real-world problem-solving and risk assessment for major accident hazards. The assessors also praised the course leaders for teaching the process safety fundamentals at an exceptionally high standard.
Peter Davidson, executive director of the Tank Storage Association, commented; “The bulk liquid storage sector is and will continue to be an important source of career opportunities. With a new wave of innovation and extensive demand for skilled and qualified specialists, we are delighted that this Level 3 Qualification that is embedded into the sector leading apprenticeship programme has received IChemE recognition, a testament to Reynolds Training Services’ commitment to the development of the next generation of talent in the UK.”
Scottish fuel distribution business Oilfast is running a Local Hero Scheme aimed at recognising and rewarding the efforts of both key workers and members of the public, who have supported their local communities during the pandemic.
Joe Carroll, sales director at Oilfast, said; “Our Local Hero scheme is a great way of supporting those who support us, and their local community. In total, we have had seven winners in Scotland and one in Wales – each will receive 500 litres of heating oil when they require it.”
Mark Robinson, pictured, was the winner from Oilfast’s Insch depot.
Another winner, Carl Stewart from Cromdale, was called ‘selfless’ for his positive contributions in his local community, including fundraising for local causes, helping locals with shopping and prescription deliveries and arranging activities to bring the community together.
With rig operating firms losing hundreds of thousands of pounds a day every time work is halted to clean up seagull droppings, as well as the risk posed to helicopters by the birds, an effective solution was desperately needed.
The answer to this age-old problem has seemingly been found in the reinvention of an age-old invention with hi-tech solar powered scarecrows now being used by North Sea oil chiefs to scare away seagulls. As well as firing lasers, the £10,000 mannequins also play bird noises to deter the gulls when sensors are triggered.
One employee, who has worked on the rig for 30 years said; “I’ve spent half my life up there and I know how big a problem the birds are.
“They are unbelievable. Loads of things have been tried over the years but nothing’s worked like this. It is a game changer. It eradicated the problem.”
The aim of these state-of-the-art scarecrows, says creator Terry Christie, is to stop seagulls pooping on rigs and avoid potentially deadly collisions with helicopters heading for offshore platforms.
Terry’s Scaretech Global firm, based in Colchester, is now in talks to install the devices on two oil firm HQs in Aberdeen, and hopes to expand to North Sea platforms.
No strangers to giving back to the community, Phillips 66 Limited has gone the extra mile to thank NHS staff and key workers through generous charitable donations.
The company helped out locally in Humber, donating 12,000 gloves, 1,500 waterproof gowns and 100 goggles to Grimsby Hospital in support of first responders.
Phillips 66 has also been on hand helping those who have been isolating at home. A spokesperson from Phillips 66 said; “In partnership with Sodexo, the on-site catering team, we helped deliver food and essential supplies to neighbours of the refinery who were shielding.”
In addition to this, over £40,000 has been raised for the domestic abuse charities Blue Door and Hull Women’s Refuge and £1,000 has been donated to support an additional first responders van on the road.
The company also donated 1,000 acetates to support staff volunteers making 3D printed face visors and in a move to help the elderly stay connected with their families, an iPad has been donated to a local nursing home to assist with video calls and remote communications.
In a campaign launched by UKIFDA, the 114,000 households across Wales which use oil heating are being advised on a plan to decarbonise the heating in their homes through the use of liquid biofuels.
UKIFDA is working with trade associations within the liquid fuels supply chain to lobby the UK government to develop a transition that enables consumers not connected to the gas grid to cut their carbon emissions through a series of planned steps, rather than one major heating system change.
Biofuels would allow off-grid homes to switch to a more environmentally friendly fuel with lower carbon emissions straightaway, with a view to fully transition over time. Importantly though, there will be minimum disruption to households as they can continue to use a liquid fuel form of heating without making large scale changes to their home heating.
In a recent interview, Robin Allan, chairman of the independent explorers’ association Brindex expressed concerns that the oil industry is “close to collapse”, with no new projects in the North Sea being profitable as oil is below $60 per barrel.
“It is almost impossible to make money at these oil prices,” says Mr Allan, director of Premier Oil in addition to chairing Brindex, “It’s a huge crisis. “
Mr Allan continued; “This has happened before, and the industry adapts, but the adaptation is one of slashing people, slashing projects and reducing costs wherever possible, and that’s painful for our staff, painful for companies and painful for the country.
“It’s close to collapse. In terms of new investments – there will be none, everyone is retreating, people are being laid off at most companies this week and in the coming weeks. Budgets for 2015 are being cut by everyone.”
These comments echo remarks made by the veteran oil man and government adviser Sir Ian Wood, who last week predicted a wave of job losses in the North Sea over the next 18 months.
The US-based oil giant ConocoPhillips is cutting 230 out of 1,650 jobs in the UK. This month it announced a 20% reduction in its worldwide capital expenditure budget, in response to falling oil prices.
Other big oil firms are expected to make similar cuts to their drilling and exploration budgets. Research from the investment bank Goldman Sachs predicted that they would need to cut capital expenditure by 30% to restore their profitability at current prices.
Service providers to the industry have also been hit. Texas-based oilfield services company Schlumberger cut back its UK-based fleet of geological survey ships in December, taking an $800m loss and cutting an unspecified number of jobs.
More recently, Aberdeen-based Wood Group announced a pay freeze for staff and cut rate for contractors. Apache, one of the North Sea’s biggest producers has also followed suit and will put a 10% reduction on contractor wages in place from January 2021.
A spokesperson from Oil and Gas UK said; ”While Oil & Gas UK cannot comment on the commercial decisions, and individual opinions, of its members, the industry trade body recognizes that the falling oil price is affecting activity across the UK Continental Shelf and companies are having to take hard decisions in light of this challenging business environment.”
UK oil and gas production has been in decline since 1999 – though the rate of decline slowed in 2013, a year which saw the highest level of investment on record.
However, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said; “The recent sharp reductions in oil prices are very challenging for companies active in the North Sea. We have seen very little evidence of new projects being cancelled or deferred in reaction to lower oil prices.”
UKIFDA has submitted its views on the government’s latest consultation which is looking at ending sales of petrol diesel and hybrid cars by 2035.
The association believes that petrol/diesel and hybrid vehicles should still be allowed on sale after the 2035 proposal as the “virtually zero carbon by 2050” target will be met more quickly by encouraging a competitive market in cleaner vehicles.
UKIFDA chief executive Guy Pulham comments; “The government are again focusing on one technology as they are in their heat policies. We believe 2035 is too soon and should not be suggested at this stage due to the exclusion of possible technologies, supply/demand imbalances and infrastructure issues.
“While UKIFDA supports the aims of the Paris Agreement and wants to help the UK government achieve its ambitions of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the current consultation to ban the sales of petrol diesel and hybrid vehicles after 2035 is flawed.
“Governments need to be technology neutral in their legislation rather than set one technology above others. To reduce CO2 emissions in the long term, a sensible move would be to design the regulatory framework such that technologies such as synthetic fuel, biofuel blends and hydrogen for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) are promoted on an equal footing as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) account the full life cycle.”
Fuel Oil News welcomes your nominations for the prestigious 2020 tanker of the year award.
Following a record $6.7bn quarterly loss, BP has halved its shareholder dividend after the coronavirus pandemic hit global demand for oil.