A deliberate fire started at the Ukay Fuels depot in Hadleigh, Suffolk, destroyed three tankers – but it’s still “business as usual”. The incident, which took place last Friday night, destroyed three tankers containing a total of 35,750 litres of kerosene, gas oil and diesel. Luckily, the fuel storage tank did not catch alight, as the fire brigade controlled the blaze. The police have launched an investigation and are treating the incident as suspicious. Ukay Fuels managing director, Anthony Iameo, said: “All three tankers were burning at the same level and at the same time which shouldn’t happen naturally – especially as the vehicles were new with all the relevant health and safety checks. “We’re not sure if it was a personal attack on ourselves or GB Oils, because there was another attack on an ordinary vehicle one or two nights before the incident.” He added: “We have managed to keep the business running and were out delivering on Monday. We arranged with GB Oils to be able collect oil from the Ipswich depot. “It’s business as usual, and it’s important that people are getting their oil on time, and that customers can keep warm!” www.ukayfuels.co.uk

County Oils’ new bottom loading skid supplied by Alpeco County Oils has had a new bottom loading skid installed by Alpeco at its depot in Sutton Weaver, near Runcorn. The design was finalised after a comprehensive brief from County Oils managing director, Neil Musgrave. Retention of the existing top load bay was critical to the project so that County Oils could continue to use two older but very useful mini tankers that could not be adapted for bottom loading. The new 3 arm loading skid was configured for loading rated of 900 lpm through either bottom loading arms or via the existing top loading arms. A Contrec 1010 register monitors and controls simultaneous loading of up to 3 loading arms. Neil Musgrave said: “We were extremely pleased with the way in which Alpeco responded to our requirements and the speed and efficiency with which the skid was installed. Our site was only out of action for two and a half days.” The County Group also purchased two new tankers from Road Tankers Northern in 2011, both of which were fully equipped with Alpeco bottom load systems and TE550 electronic metering equipment.http://www.county-oil.co.uk

The Energy Institute (EI) and the Joint Inspection Group (JIG) are working together to prepare a new standard for the aviation fuel refining, storage and distribution industry. A final draft is now available for review and the EI calls for industry stakeholders to feedback on its technical content before 4 January 2013. EI/JIG 1530 is intended to provide a standard to assist in the maintenance of aviation fuel quality, from its point of manufacture, through distribution systems to airports. It provides mandatory provisions and good practice recommendations for storage design features and handling procedures, additives used in aviation fuels, facilities and procedures for transportation, and synthetic jet fuel blends. The standard is intended for adoption worldwide. Martin Hunnybun, technical team manager – fuels and fuels handling, Energy Institute, said: “This comprehensive document has been compiled by fuel quality specialists from the EI and JIG, with support from the EI’s technical partners. The feedback process is fundamentally important to ensure the standard is of the highest relevance and contributes to the maintenance of aviation fuel quality throughout potentially complex supply chains, and we are very grateful to those who are able to engage with this project.” A copy is available at www.energyinst.org/1530

David Blevings, executive director of the Northern ireland Oil Federation, and Antoinette McKeown, chief executive of the Consumer Council, at the launch The Northern Ireland Oil Federation (NIOF) has launched a customer charter – a first for an oil trade association in the UK and Ireland. David Blevings, executive director, said: “The charter is a welcome development and will provide consumers with information on what level of service they can expect from a NIOF distributor member. It will also help customers get the most from a distributor’s service, and includes advice on how to make a complaint if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service or have ideas for improvement.” Antoinette McKeown, chief executive of the consumer council explained: “We have worked with the NIOF in their development of their customer charter, which will give consumers increased confidence when they purchase home heating oil from an NIOF member. “Sixty eight per cent of homes in Northern Ireland use heating oil as their primary heating source and with such a high dependency on heating oil we need to safeguard consumers.   “The Consumer Council welcomes the Customer Charter as an excellent first step for the local oil sector and with further development it could provide similar support and safeguards that electricity and natural gas consumers have.”

Many questions arose at last month’s Fuel Oil News Distributor Debate including how the industry should prepare for a potential kerosene shortage.  The short answer to that question from both Stephen Rhodes of Mabanaft and Portland’s James Spencer was to stock up on kerosene if you have the storage. “If there’s a precipice and we go off it, then the industry is knackered,” added James.  “Backwardation is not simple and, at the moment, this means that no commercial operator is going to be able to get huge amounts of kerosene – it’s basically commercial suicide.” How do we overcome the problem of consumers drawing unfair comparisons between different energy markets e.g. oil with gas? ‘Educating the public is key’ responded Mark Askew, chief executive, Federation of Petroleum Suppliers. Mark believes that the problem lies with ignorance and that part of the industry’s job is to explain how the market works. “I think most customers are savvy enough these days to understand some of the basic differences, if they’re explained properly.”   Launched recently, a joint FPS/OFTEC Oilsave campaign will explain how the industry works.  It will also demystify some of the information circulating about renewables and costs. Will the UK follow Europe in moving away from oil? Stressing the differences between the European and UK market, Mark Askew said the future probably lay in combining oil, which works instantly, with other energy sources. The distributor offering is likely to change, as it has changed in the past from coal and paraffin. “I don’t think any of us have crystal balls.  When the cut off date for oil is I don’t know, nobody knows, but I don’t think it’s quite dead in the water yet,” added Mark. For more questions and answers from the Distributor Debate see the December issue of Fuel Oil News

Forecasters have warned that a ‘big freeze’ could begin by early December – and we could be facing one of the coldest winters for more than a decade. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, and ice and frost are likely to cause transport problems and there will be a significant risk of heavy snow. The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) is urging homeowners and businesses who use oil for heating to get themselves prepared for winter now.  FPS chief executive, Mark Askew said: “We launched a buy oil early campaign in September in association with the Government and consumer agencies, ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), Citizens Advice Bureau and Consumer Focus but many people still haven’t heeded our advice.   “Our members remind customers that they should order early, but people have got into a pattern of ordering the minimum quantity.   Customers have had a trend of ordering 500 litres and then running out in the middle of the worst weather, when tanker drivers just can’t get to them.  “Demand is obviously governed by the weather and a prolonged cold snap, such as the Met Office is forecasting, means that the terminals are unable to provide product quickly enough and consumers can run out whilst waiting for deliveries as distributors have to go further afield to get supplies.” www.fpsonline.co.uk

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed the announcement from the Department for Transport about the consultation Examining the Speed Limit for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5T on Single Carriageway Roads.   The FTA has long campaigned on this subject, supporting the reduction of the speed differential between HGVs and other vehicles on single carriageway roads. The logistics industry is convinced that a 40 mph speed limit causes unnecessary costs to vehicle operators, congestion, and avoidable overtaking collisions. It also means that HGVs travelling above the speed limit enjoy a competitive advantage over those adhering to the law. Malcolm Bingham, FTA head of road network management policy, commented: “Whilst our members would not want their drivers to disobey any speed limit and many feel that it is inappropriate behaviour to do so; it creates a stressful situation when driving a vehicle at a lower speed than others particularly when other road users try to encourage the HGV to move faster.” The FTA has also assisted with the publication of two new guides promoting health and safety to professional drivers. The publications, Load Safe, Road Safe and Transport Safety have been produced by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), with assistance from a number of organisations. They offer drivers and other operators information about good practice and assistance for complying with road and workplace legislation. www.fta.co.uk

LS Evanne delivered 6000 tonnes of marine gas oil Inver Energy has taken delivery of its first marine gas oil import to the Cardiff terminal. The LS Evanne delivered over 6000 tonnes of the new product, after the tank farms and loading racks underwent substantial re-engineering to facilitate the order. The marine market within south Wales and south west England has not had access to marine gas oil since 2011 following EU wide changes in gas oil specifications, which caused a significant competitive disadvantage within the market. Inver has a long history of fuel supply to vessels of all sizes in the UK and Ireland, and this new product broadens the fuel offering to customers. The fuel has the added advantage of meeting the approved specification (BS2869), and can be used in boiler and furnace systems to provide a more economical solution for heating.www.inverenergy.co.uk

Greenergy has announced that it will begin supplying diesel, gasoline and biofuel in Southwestern Ontario during the second quarter of 2013. With existing operations in the UK, US and Brazil, the company is looking to continue international success and growth. Paul Bateson, chief operating officer of Greenergy’s international operations and director of Greenergy Fuels Canada, said: “In the UK, Greenergy has achieved long-term growth by delivering what every customer ultimately wants – lowest priced fuel combined with the highest levels of customer service, supply resilience, operational efficiency and sustainability.  We intend to replicate that strategy in Canada.” Kirby Tremblay and Mike Healey have joined the company as joint managing directors in Canada, and bring more than thirty years of combined experience in Canadian petroleum supply and marketing.  Operations will begin from the Vopak terminal in Hamilton, and expand to other supply locations across the country in due course. www.greenergy.com

Almost 1000 buses in Scotland are set to run on a blend of 30% biodiesel supplied by Argent Energy. The B30 fuel is made at the company’s plant near Motherwell by recycling used cooking oil. Previously the Stagecoach vehicles used a mix of 5% biofuel and 95% diesel.  Increasing the percentage of biofuel results in a cut in the vehicles’ CO2 emissions by up to 22%. Dickon Posnett, Argent Energy’s development director, welcomed the move. He said: “Whilst low blends of biodiesel in standard diesel has long been the norm, we’ve seen increasing interest in higher percentage blends for economic and environmental reasons. Now B30 is rolling out widely across Scotland and England, and it will fuel the daily journeys of tens of thousands of people. “It is a straight swap for mineral diesel and needs no modifications to either vehicles or the logistics of the fuel supply chain. So B30 offers a winning combination of ease of use, carbon reduction and economic benefits. Plus it brings the sustainability of a renewable fuel made from wastes. “We are the only UK biodiesel producer to use distillation technology as the final step in our production process. That delivers an extra level of purity and is one of the ways we ensure that all our fuel meets the European standard.” Argent also supplies a number of other transport operations in Edinburgh, London and Cambridgeshire. www.argentenergy.com/

Campaigning to protect the market share of oil heating and cooking, Oilsave.org.uk went live on 1st November. The new website has been jointly designed by OFTEC and the Federation Of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) to provide customers with information and advice about making the best choices to improve energy efficiency. The site aims to delve deeper into renewable technologies, recommending cost effective solutions which include integrating oil with alternative technologies. The campaign is also urging FPS fuel delivery staff and OFTEC technicians to play their part, and encourage their customers to check out the facts on www.oilsave.org.uk

More homes in Northern Ireland could have access to natural gas by 2015, the country’s enterprise minister has said. Arlene Foster explained: “We are discussing financing issues with Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) and liaising with the utility regulator regarding a competition for gas licences. Subject to the outcome of this competition and the completion of the detailed network design and planning approvals process, pipeline construction works could begin in 2015.” An economic assessment on extending the gas network to towns in the west, such as Strabane and Omagh, has been completed. Currently, around 120,000 homes and 8,000 businesses are on the gas network, and an increase would lessen the dependence on oil and coal. “Safe to say it would benefit the west of this province in a way that no other investment has for quite some time,” Arlene added.

Year to date revenues for 2012 published by Norbert Dentressangle For the first nine months of 2012, Norbert Dentressangle has reported an increase of 9.9 percent in consolidated revenues, compared to the same period the previous year. Revenues came in at €2901 million, largely due to acquisitions made in 2011. Like for like revenues were stable given that the growth in the logistics business was offset by a slowdown in transport. Revenues earned outside France now account for 59 percent of the total. During the same period, a heads of agreement was signed to purchase logistics businesses from Belgian-based, Nova Natie. The sale of the Dagenham site and acquisition of the John Keells Group freight forwarding business in Sri Lanka have also been completed. François Bertreau, chief executive officer, said: “In a sharply deteriorating economy in the third quarter, especially in France, Norbert Dentressangle held up well buoyed by strong new business wins and tight cost management, and we maintain our plan for growth.” The company has since appointed Hervé Montjotin as chief executive officer. Chairman, Norbert Dentressangle said: “We are delighted to appoint Hervé Montjotin as chief executive officer of our Group. Since 1995, Herve has acquired an intimate knowledge of our company and has all the qualities to lead the management of Norbert Dentressangle and enable the Group to succeed in its future growth. “I also thank François Bertreau who, since 2008, has been the architect of the globalisation of our Group and wish him success in his new challenge.”

Impressed with Continental – Linton’s transport manager, Graham Binstead Linton Fuel Oils has seen the benefit of adopting Continental tyres for its vehicles, and is now close to fitting the brand across its entire fleet. The company, which operates a mixed fleet of nearly 40 tankers driven by DAF, Mercedes and Scania tractor units, also transports lubricants using eight curtainsiders. “I’ve always required top brand tyres on our vehicles, and I’m very loyal to my supplier, as long as they can demonstrate that the product and service is good,” explains transport manager, Graham Binstead. “At the end of last year, I did some research on Continental and was impressed with the new technology available,” he recalls. “From that point, I started to specify all our new vehicles with Continental, and changed them over as and when they were needed on our existing fleet.” Although it is early days Graham is keen to learn more about the wear rates and mileages achieved using the new tyres. “From what I can see so far, the tyres are pretty hard-wearing as their technology allows them to run colder than other conventional tyres. This means better wear and stability. A key benefit is their weight. As Continental tyres weigh less than most other brands this gives us a reduction in the overall weight of the truck, which allows me to get more product on board. That extra capacity was a big draw for me.” As Royal Warrant holders, Graham believes that suppliers such as Continental make a huge difference to the overall perception of the company. “Our commitment to safety and service has helped us get, and keep, the Royal Warrant. Every component and especially tyres help us to maintain high levels of safety, and therefore the Warrant itself.”

Goff Petroleum has chosen Alpeco to manufacture and install a 4-arm bottom loading skid at its newly acquired oil depot in Tenterden, Kent. Ray Fowler, operations manager at Goff Petroleum, had responsibility for resurrecting the old site and bringing it in line with health and safety legislation. The new skid is fitted with LCM25 meters and VEGA-T electronic registers. The VEGA-T electronic pre-set units were supplied by Liquip UK and are configured for temperature compensation and individual control of the head loading meter. The Tenterden site is one of 14 depots owned by Goff Petroleum across East Anglia, Kent and Sussex. www.alpeco.co.uk     www.goffpetroleum.co.uk

www.heatingoil.co.uk, a new website from GB Oils went live on 1st October.  The website has collaborated with oil boiler maintenance company, Team Energy, to offer oil boiler servicing. Site visitors can complete a simple online form to receive a personalised quote, to be carried out by an OFTEC registered engineer.  Customers can get an instant quote, order products easily and securely, and track their orders online, 24 hours a day.  For individuals new to purchasing heating oil, the website has a dedicated ‘help’ area, which provides detailed advice and information to answer any questions.  Rhodri Andrews, online manager for HeatingOil.co.uk, said: “We’ve launched the new website to provide further support to our wide range of customers, whether they’re homeowners, farmers, or business owners, so they can buy heating oil quickly, safely and conveniently. As winter is fast approaching, the site makes it even easier for customers to get their fuel in early and beat the winter rush.” The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) and OFTEC have also teamed up to launch www.oilsave.org.uk to campaign to protect the market share for oil heating and cooking, due to go live on 1 November. www.heatingoil.co.uk www.oilsave.org.uk

Reynolds Training Services is “ecstatic” to have won accreditation from the UK’s top provider of workplace safety qualifications. The industrial safety specialist is now delivering the International Technical Certificate in Oil & Gas Operational Safety from NEBOSH – the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. “The qualification covers a wide breadth of knowledge including hazards inherent in the oil & gas sector, hydrocarbon process safety, fire protection, emergency response, logistics and transport operations,” said RTS director, John Reynolds. This month RTS ran its first Contractor Petroleum Safety Training course in Liverpool, for NSAPI accredited providers. The course is now set to be rolled out nationally. www.rtspetroleum.com

Cliff Thrussell, managing director, Optimum Oils and Andy Dixon, country manager, Q8Oils Optimum Oils has signed a further three-year contract with Q8Oils for the supply of Q8 lubricants for the automotive, bus, coach and industrial industries. The companies have been working together for the last 15 years. Cliff Thrussell, managing director at Optimum Oils, commented: “Q8Oils is a fantastic brand for us to be working with, and having built a strong relationship over the past 15 years we are looking forward to continuing this success going forward.” Andy Dixon, country manager at Q8Oils, added: “We always aim to provide high quality service, alongside our high quality products, and it is a true testament to the hardworking team at Q8Oils that Optimum Oils have re-signed its contract with the company for another three years.”http://www.optimumoils.com/http://www.q8oils.co.uk/

Adler and Allan’s marine response unit Adler and Allan’s latest contract win sees the company provide Tier 2 marine pollution response for Associated British Ports (ABP) – Britain’s largest and leading port operator. ABP owns and operates 21 ports in England, Scotland, and Wales, including two of Britain’s biggest – Immingham and Southampton.  The company’s activities cover transport, haulage and terminal operations, ship’s agency, dredging and marine consultancy. Adler and Allan, with a national network of depots, highly trained teams and specialist equipment, will be on standby with strike teams to respond to environmental emergencies for some of the largest ports in the UK.  The contract commenced in August 2012 for tier 2 pollution response and hazardous and noxious substance cover on a rapid mobilisation on a 24 hour basis for 365 days a year. Adler and Allan will also run exercises for ABP as part of its training capability. The three year contract reinforces Adler and Allan’s position as a premier spill response company in the UK. Renowned for its leading role in the Buncefield disaster, the company brings a wealth of best-practice in spill response, environmental awareness and health and safety, to the contract.www.adlerandallan.co.uk

GB Oils has announced it is working together with Scandinavian Bunkering AS, an approved NATO supplier, which has a bunkering contract for Ministry of Defence (MoD) vessels. The GB Oils’ marine team has been supplying gas oil (A2) to the MoD police launches, Excalibur and Endeavour, which acted as patrol and support vessels during the Olympic and Para-Olympic Games. In addition, the two vessels were supplied with oil during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, demonstrating GB Oils’ ability to meet demand during a very busy time period, when many vessels were requiring oil. Gary Byers, national sales manager at GB Oils, said: “We are proud to be able to bunker the Ministry of Defence vessels with a reliable supply of fuel when they need it. Over the years, we’ve built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the marine industry, which means we can offer a large range of quality marine fuels and exceptional standards of customer service to meet very specific needs. By collaborating with Scandinavian Bunkering, we have created a strong team and we look forward to building a strong future together.”

FPS chief executive, Mark Askew The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) has joined forces with the government, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), Citizens Advice Bureau and Consumer Focus to launch the Buy Oil Early campaign. Energy minister John Hayes said: “Previous severe winters show that it is better to stock up before the cold weather sets in, when suppliers have spare delivery capacity. I would also encourage all consumers to save money on heating their homes by ensuring their homes are fully insulated.”  FPS chief executive, Mark Askew said:  “In winter, the UK can experience shortages of heating oil at terminals.  Demand is obviously governed by the weather and a prolonged cold snap, means that the terminals are unable to provide product quickly enough and consumers can run out whilst waiting for deliveries as distributors have to go further afield to get supplies.” www.fpsonline.co.uk

The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) has teamed up with OFTEC to mount a marketing and public relations campaign to protect the market share for oil heating and cooking. The initiative will include flyers, leaflets and web-based information. The website www.oilsave.org.uk/  will be refocused and updated to act as a focal point for the campaign. It is hoped that delivery staff and OFTEC registered technicians will play an important role in getting the message out to oil customers. www.fpsonline.co.uk  In a related development, the Heating and Hot water Industry Council (HHIC) is developing a new consumer marketing campaign called Hole in the Wall. Set to launch in November, the campaign is designed to stimulate consumer interest in residential heating and energy efficiency across all sectors of the industry. It will centre around a website that will act as a hub, providing general information and energy saving tips, and pointing visitors to other websites for specific information on each topic. www.centralheating.co.uk