News 46
Mabanaft has acquired Junction 29, one of the UK’s top-tier independent truckstops. Completed on 5th August, the deal marks Mabanaft’s strategic commitment to developing a network of truckstops across the country, offering drivers and companies good-value, high-quality truckstops outside of those owned by the oil companies and large group networks.
With a shelf-life of up to 10 years, Crown Oil is backing HVO, which can be used as a drop-in replacement for regular diesel and gas oil with the approval of several major OEMs
Crown Oil has invested in a stock of carbon-neutral, renewable and sustainable HVO biofuel in a bid to shift demand in the UK industrial sector from diesel and gas oil to an alternative with a vastly reduced environmental impact.
This makes Crown Oil the only UK fuel supplier that can supply the synthetic premium biofuel in any quantity, within the same delivery times as all its other products.
“Our commitment to the environment makes us acutely aware of the impact the fuel industry has on global warming, so we are always looking to reduce our footprint in every way we can,” commented Crown Oil’s managing director, Matt Greensmith.
“We are still working towards reaching our own in-house goal of net zero emissions, but at the same time, we can help other businesses achieve their targets too.”
Sajid Javid has promised to continue to freeze fuel duty in the lifetime of this parliament
Having seen an ‘ill-informed report in the Guardian’ earlier this week, the FairFuelUK campaign was quick to comment on a ‘hike in fuel duty’ proposed by the think tank, Bright Blue, which it claims was ‘riddled with inaccuracies and emotive statements’.
On 1st August 2019, the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) became the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA). Created in 1979, FPS rose from the ashes of The National Oil Distributor Association (NODA) since when it has passionately served the interest of its members.
With only three brand refreshes in those 40 years, the management committee is marking the 40th anniversary with a name change that not only means more to the end consumer but, is also a better fit the future liquid fuel industry.
“The industry in which we operate has undergone tremendous changes over the past four decades and the association has continually adapted over that time to ensure that it represents, supports and informs its growing membership,” said Guy Pulham, UKIFDA chief executive.
“It was time now for the association to move on and rebrand. This will ensure that it continues in the same vein, supporting the UK & Ireland’s changing energy landscape.”
As in all sectors, the downstream oil sector needs to consider how it can contribute to decarbonisation goals, whilst providing security, reliability and affordable products to wider society. Future Vision – the latest in a series of publications from UKPIA – seeks to provide a clear vision for the industry’s future.
UKPIA members include key industry players – BP, Essar, ExxonMobil, Petroineos, Philips 66, Shell, Total and Valero with associate members Certas Energy, CLH, Dragon LNG, Local Fuel, National Grid and Puma Energy.
“UKPIA has set out to paint a vivid picture of the range of possibilities on offer for the refining and fuel marketing industries,” said Stephen Marcos Jones, UKPIA director-general.
“We also outline the opportunities available through innovation to achieve a circular economy thanks to developments in feedstocks, operations, fuels and products. UKPIA’s vision for the long-term future of the downstream oil sector is a positive one.
“It is a future where new, low-carbon1 liquid fuels and products can make as much of a contribution to decarbonising the transport we use as can Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Where refinery manufacturing processes can operate with maximum efficiency, potentially utilising carbon-reducing technologies such as carbon capture or, working with other sectors in industrial clusters to decarbonise together.
Where individual downstream oil companies can utilise their expertise and infrastructure to deliver low-carbon fuels and products directly to the consumer, potentially in an entirely reimagined forecourt experience.
The UKPIA Future Vision: The Downstream Oil Sector in a Low-Carbon World report can be downloaded here – http://ukpia.com.publications
New Era is set to generate a turnover of £100 million in the next three years and expand its international footprint, after securing a £2m funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking to purchase a new depot.
Pembrokeshire-based technical consultancy InSite Technical Services has officially opened its new premises at 1 Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock.
The Tank Storage Association (TSA) has published the fourth edition of its Annual Review which provides valuable data with respect to this important sector within downstream oil distribution.
TSA president Paul Denmead, director of terminal operations, UK at World Fuel Services, highlights that ‘being no further forward in terms of understanding what our exit from the European Union will look like, it is imperative that this is resolved so that we can move forward as an industry. There are many more issues ahead – decarbonistation, IMO 2020, inconsistent regulation to name just three.
“We need to focus on these without the distraction of BREXIT,” says Paul, who is assisted by vice president, Adrian Jackson, chief executive of the Oil and Pipelines Agency. Together they continue to implement TSA’s plan to further develop the association. The past year has seen 13 new businesses join the TSA family and also the launch of a technical committee to help identify areas in which TSA can seek to improve its knowledge and performance.
TSA, which has established the Downstream Oil Industries Forum Trade Association Working Group is seeking to gain alignment with other trade associations in the downstream oil sector on common topics, such as the Road to Zero strategy.
Download the TSA Annual Review at
https://www.tankstorage.org.uk/assets/tsa_annual_review_final_to_print-compressed.pdf
The Scully Signal Company has appointed Katrina Scully Ohl as president and CEO. The granddaughter of the founder, Francis P. Scully, and daughter of Robert Scully, Katrina has a wealth of experience in the industry, having held numerous positions within the company, most recently interim president and executive vice president.
JET has launched its new dual range of JET ULTRA premium fuels, which includes JET ULTRA premium unleaded and JET ULTRA premium diesel. The fuel brand has completed its UK-wide roll out to all sites that previously offered JET premium fuels.
Standard Fuel Oils – an independent Merseyside-based fuel oil distributor – has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2019.
Rix Petroleum has engaged Zelst, a Harrogate-based digital marketing company specialising in search engine optimisation, to help grow its Fuelmate subsidiary by increasing search visibility, rankings, traffic and lead generation.
Greenergy has recently commenced the supply of marine fuel at Tyne in the north east of England.
At last month’s OFTEC conference the agenda was dominated by decarbonisation, with delegates keen to hear the results of OFTEC’s biofuels research. Closing the conference on a positive note, OFTEC CEO Paul Rose confirmed that BEIS still has all low carbon options on the table.
Certas Energy has just released a new report entitled The Future of Liquid Fuels – the first in the New Energy Reality Series, the paper outlines how alternative fuels have a key role to play in the transition to a zero emissions future.
Authored by Certas Energy product manager Rebecca Swann, the paper also explores what the current liquid fuel mix looks like and offers an insight into how these fuels can support the transport sector with the commercial challenges of reducing emission levels.
This new series builds on Certas Energy’s Alternative Guide to Navigating the New Energy Mix published last year.
“At present, our research shows that only 1% of commercial businesses that could be benefitting from the social, environmental and commercial advantages of a drop-in alternative liquid fuel, are currently doing so,” said Rebecca.
“Certas Energy is clear that liquid fuel, whether oil for domestic or commercial heating or fuel for ‘on’ and ‘off-road’ applications, must play its part in moving towards cleaner air – and ultimately – a zero emission end point for the UK economy.
Download the report at https://www.certasenergy.co.uk/my-business/future-of-liquid-fuels
RSK, the integrated environmental, engineering and technical services consultancy, has formally acquired the business, operating assets and employees engaged in the business of RAW Technology Ltd. The acquisition is RSK’s fourth of this financial year.
RAW, which specialises in inland oil spill response and remediation, operates worldwide from 16 offices in the UK and Ireland. Its clients include insurance companies NFU Mutual, Legal & General, RSA, Aviva, AXA, Direct Line and LV=, Speedy Hire and National Trust.
In 2016, RAW won a RoSPA Gold Award. In addition, UKSpill named RAW its domestic responder of the year in 2016 and 2017.
The business will operate as RSK Raw Ltd and trade as RSK Raw. Neil Stothert, who has been RAW’s managing director for six years and has 25 years’ experience in the industry, will continue to manage the company. The business and its 85 employees will become part of RSK’s contracting division under the direction of RSK divisional director Claire Knighton.
“RSK Raw shares many of RSK’s core values, and its service provision complements ours,” said RSK’s founder and chief executive officer Alan Ryder.
“Like RSK, it is a people-orientated business that focuses on building strong client relationships. Our shared ethos will stand us in good stead. I am looking forward to working with our new colleagues.”
“I am delighted that we have joined the RSK group and have the support of extensive environmental services that will enable RSK Raw to thrive,” added Neil Stothert.
“Our services are closely aligned with existing RSK services, so we will see numerous synergies as we begin collaborating.”
“We must focus on solutions that will address the unique issues associated with hard to treat rural properties,” says OFTEC’s CEO Paul Rose
On Tuesday 18th June, OFTEC will be unveiling the results of its independent research into how oil-heated homes can best transition to a low-to-zero carbon heating solution and reduce their overall emissions.
The unveiling will take place at OFTEC’s annual conference when industry leaders unite to discuss the progress made and the next steps towards securing a sustainable future for the off-grid sector.
Christian Flach, who takes over as Greenergy’s chief executive on 1st September 2019
Greenergy has announced that co-founder Andrew Owens is making his planned move from chief executive to non-executive chairman following the sale of the business in 2017. After an 18-month search and selection process, Christian Flach joined Greenergy last Monday (3rd June).
The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS)* has unveiled its vision for cutting carbon through the development of biofuels for the 1.5 million homes in the UK and 686,000 homes in Ireland which currently rely on liquid fuels for their heating.
“Having always supported the principle of decarbonisation, clean growth and clear air, our Clean Growth Future Vision brochure sets out all we are aiming to achieve in both in the near and far future, as well as highlighting the opportunities for the industry as a whole,” said chief executive Guy Pulham.
An aerial view of Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal in Fife where ExxonMobil is investing in its life extension
Linlithgow-based Asset Integrity Maintenance (AIM) has been awarded a major contract to help extend the life of the ExxonMobil jetty facility at Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal in Fife. The tanker terminal exports liquefied petroleum gas to Europe and the USA after being produced at Fife Ethylene Plant, using feedstock from the North Sea.
Taking responsibility to minimise the company’s impact on the environment has led to Watson Fuels being presented with the inaugural FPS Green Award at this year’s FPS EXPO
Watson Fuels has won the inaugural FPS Green Award for its flagship Ledbury depot. Hosted at FPS Expo in Liverpool, the FPS Green Award recognised Watson Fuels’ Ledbury depot as the best green initiative in the industry.
Watson Fuels, which designed its Ledbury depot to be the most advanced fuel distribution depot in its network, used an innovative approach that utilises both natural and advanced solutions. The site mitigates environmental risk, reduces fuel usage and pollution, all while fitting in with its natural surroundings.
Pioneering this holistic approach, the site features an innovative reed bed, an attenuation pond to ensure water purity and help wildlife flourish, while adopting more traditional, advanced techniques.
Building a robust drainage process, and safeguarding against contamination, Ledbury also uses deep drainage gullies with interceptors, block paving with underground membrane and electric stripper pumps.
To best blend in with its surroundings, Watson Fuels also adopted an eco-friendly tree-planting initiative at the site.
“We take our responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment very seriously,” said Bob Taylor, managing director of Watson Fuels.
“Whilst this attitude is reflected at our various sites across the country, our Ledbury depot is a site of which we are particularly proud.
“Watson Fuels is always looking to implement new approaches to the challenge, and it is wonderful to be recognised by the industry in this way. As a sector we can always do more, but we are taking steps to evolve our business to the benefit of our customers and the environment.”
Accompanied by his sons Sam and Will, Ben Kaye receive barrels of oil from Andrew Goddard with the Scammell Pioneer R100 and AEC Matador in the background
Shrewsbury-based Morris Lubricants has donated heavy duty engine and gear oils to one of its loyal customers with a passion for restoring vintage military vehicles.
With the help of family and friends, customer Ben Kaye restored a 1940 AEC Matador medium artillery tractor and a 1940 Scammell Pioneer R100 heavy artillery tractor in time for the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings on 6th June.
Making the 300-mile journey to the Normandy beaches at Arromanches for this historic anniversary, the Scammell Pioneer R100 was transported on a low loader. Having arrived in France, the Kaye family took part in a series of parades and events and also laid a wreath at sea on behalf of Ben’s wife Emma’s grandfather, Charles Owen, a former Royal British Legion parade marshal. A rare and valuable white ensign, which was displayed on a gunboat captained by the father of Ben’s former primary school teacher on D Day 1944, also made the trip.
Ben, who runs a Range Rover and Land Rover repair and diagnostics business, was just 19 when he began collecting military vehicles to restore. Using a student loan, he bought his first Scammell Pioneer SV25 recovery vehicle for £2,000. Ben and his father, who shares his passion, now have 15 vehicles, including two tanks and five Scammells. His latest restoration project – a Scorpion tank – is nearing completion after 14 years.
Thanking Morris Lubricants for donating the oils, Ben said:
“I buy all the oil for my hobby and business from Morris Lubricants because it’s good quality and the back-up service is excellent. You can ring their technical department with a query and speak to a human being which means a lot when you are working on cars that can be worth up to £100,000.”
“Recommended for use in veteran, classic and vintage vehicles, where engine design and tolerances prohibit the use of modern multigrade, high additive level oils, these engine and gear oils are perfect for Ben’s vehicles,” added Andrew Goddard, Morris Lubricants’ chairman.
Last week Greenergy announced its acquisition of William C. Hockin (Tankers), a specialist haulage company located in the south west of England. The Hockin tanker business will be integrated into Greenergy Flexigrid, Greenergy’s existing in-house haulage business, as a specialist long-distance operation.
Award-winning* Essar – the principal sponsor of the 2019 Forecourt Trader Awards – has entered another phase of its exciting retail growth with the successful conversion of MPK’s high volume Chester Road station in Stanley, County Durham.