News 54
HOYER Petrolog has extended its In To Plane refuelling operation with Valero at Dublin Airport with a two-year extension to its current deal, through to December 2020.
“The extension of this contract is excellent news for HOYER and secures a strategically important piece of business within Ireland, said Allan Davison, operations director.
“Our excellent relationship with Valero extends back to 2000 and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The contract involves refuelling planes during all hours of airport operation and involves 10 refuelling vehicles and 28 staff.
Fan Brycheiniog is the highest peak in the Black Mountain region of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. It is just inside the county of Powys, and also within the Fforest Fawr Geopark designated in 2005 in recognition of the area’s geological heritage.
Oil 4 Wales has secured a £350,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales to pay for the refurbishment of a former Texaco filling station at Nantycaws where there are plans to build a new café.
“The garage has had no investment for over 20 years. The location with the view over the Black Mountain range cries out for investment to attract more tourists and locals if we can provide services, such as a cafeteria and a tourist shop, all stocked with Welsh produce,” said Colin Owens, owner of Oil4Wales.https://developmentbank.wales/case-studies/oil-4-wales
In a ‘Question time with the DVSA’ session at the Freight Transport Association’s Transport Manager autumn conference series, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will be answering transport managers’ most pressing questions.
Delighted to have the DVSA on board at this year’s events, James Firth, FTA’s head of road freight regulation policy, said:
“For transport managers, the DVSA is a key source of information and direction, but with the compliance world changing so rapidly, it is often difficult to keep up to date with every element of such a complicated industry. These sessions at the FTA’s Transport Manager conferences will provide the perfect opportunity to hear answers to the most pressing questions in the sector straight from those at the sharp end – they should not be missed.”
Transport managers have already posed a number of questions they wish to ask the DVSA via FTA’s recent Transport Manager Survey, and senior members of the DVSA team will give answers via video interview to those which proved most popular, relating to vehicle testing, load security, future enforcement, Earned Recognition, use of ANPR cameras and much more.
This year’s Transport Manager conferences will also include a chance to hear from the local traffic commissioner at each venue, as well as other sessions covering topics including Earned Recognition, Clean Air Zones, lowering emissions, Brexit, managing maintenance providers and smart tachographs.
Also sponsored by Brigade Electronics and Microlise, Transport Manager 2018 will be held from September to November across ten UK venues – Yeovil, Doncaster, Southampton, Peterborough, Knutsford, Glasgow, Chepstow, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, London and Birmingham. For further information or to book a place go to https://fta.co.uk/tm2018 or call the FTA Member Service Centre on 03717 11 22 22.
Rory Clarke, managing director of J.R. Rix & Sons, overlooking the company’s Hull fuel depot
Hull-based J.R. Rix & Sons grew turnover by 17% in 2017 with all companies in the Group reporting an improved performance on the previous year.
Group revenue increased by £60m to £407m in the 12 months to December 31st, 2017, with profit remaining stable at just under £5m.
Holiday home and lodge manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes continued to make inroads into the industry, growing market share significantly and increasing sales from £19.5m in 2016 to £26.5m last year. The company was bolstered by the strength of the UK holiday market and the weak pound.
The weak pound also combined with an increase in the price of oil prompting growth at the Group’s inland and marine fuels businesses. Rix Petroleum – the largest company in the Group – increased sales from £272m to £304m and maritime bunkering’s revenue increased from £25.4m in 2016 to £38m in 2017.
Rix Shipping, which manages the company’s shipping fleet and stevedoring operations in Hull and Montrose, saw turnover nearly double across the year from £7.2m in 2016 to £13.6m last year, and the Group’s car and commercial vehicle retailer, Jordans Cars, reported a slight growth in sales from £23.6m to £25.4m.
Managing director Rory Clarke described the performances as solid, adding that much of the growth had come from an increase in the price of oil.
“Overall Group turnover leapt by £60m with all divisions performing well. Although a number of external factors affect the performance of our businesses – the relative strength of the pound, the weather and the price of oil – good governance, keeping a close eye on costs and having a thorough understanding of the environment in which we operate are still key to driving growth.
‘’It is particularly pleasing that once again all the operating businesses within the group made a positive contribution to what was a good year for J.R. Rix & Sons.”www.rix.co.uk
Greenergy has reached an agreement with Oiltanking, a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls, to purchase an idle biodiesel manufacturing facility located at Oiltanking’s site in Amsterdam. The acquisition of a third biodiesel plant will allow Greenergy to meet growing demand for waste-based biofuel in the UK and Europe.
The Amsterdam biodiesel manufacturing facility was built in 2010 to process vegetable oils but was never commissioned. Greenergy plans to carry out works over the next year to convert the facility to process waste oils rather than vegetable oils and then to add further production capacity.
“Demand for waste-based biodiesel is rising rapidly in the UK and Europe as a result of higher obligated biofuel inclusion rates,” explained Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive.
“Over the last few years we have scaled up our raw material supply chains and invested in our UK manufacturing facilities, increasing output through a variety of incremental investments. We are now leveraging these skills and capabilities to develop a third plant.”
Scotland is a key location for A&A with the company ‘pleased to now have a stronger presence in this region’
Adler & Allan has expanded its operations in Scotland by opening up a new depot and offices in Aberdeen to provide the region with easier access to its range of environmental, fuel, waste and asset management services.
Support available from the depot includes A&A’s 24/7 emergency response, covering flooding and polluting spills. Flooding in particular is a growing concern for many regions in the UK; A&A can provide 360-degree flood mitigation services for businesses, including flood mapping, risk assessments, defences and clean up.
In addition, customers can access asset protection, such as the refurbishment of essential equipment and sites, the toughest protective coatings and linings, waste transfer and disposal, fuel and forecourt services. The company also delivers a range of consultancy to help businesses comply with their environmental obligations and deal with specific issues, such as contaminated land.
“We are delighted to open our new depot in Aberdeen,” said Ken Salmon, Adler & Allan’s general manager for Scotland.
“As a business, A&A is committed to providing an industry-leading, fast and efficient service, nationwide. New locations mean this commitment can be better fulfilled, providing improved levels of service to our clients. Scotland is a key location for A&A and we are pleased to now have a stronger presence in this region.”www.adlerandallan.co.uk
Removing oil boilers from the ECO3 scheme would unfairly discriminate against rural households and could lead to even higher levels of fuel poverty said OFTEC CEO Paul Rose
OFTEC has welcomed last week’s announcement from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that oil boilers will not be excluded from the next phase of the Energy Company Obligation scheme (ECO3) as initially proposed.
The decision follows responses by OFTEC and other stakeholders to the ECO3 consultation that underlined that removing oil boilers from the scheme would unfairly discriminate against rural households and could lead to even higher levels of fuel poverty.
The new ECO3 legislation, which comes into force on 1 October 2018, will allow limited oil boiler delivery to take place within the broken heating system cap and will also allow the repair of broken oil boilers within the 5% cap for all boiler repairs. This limit only applies to broken boilers not First Time Central Heating (FTCH). Oil boilers will not be allowed under first time central heating (FTCH), district heating, solid walled homes minimum, rural minimum, inefficient heating system replacements or innovation measures.
“This is an important win for low income and vulnerable off-grid households,” commented OFTEC CEO Paul Rose.
“As the key objective of ECO is to provide affordable warmth and help address fuel poverty, it would have been completely contradictory to exclude the repair or replacement of broken oil appliances when oil heating continues to be the cheapest form of heating available to off-grid households.
“We fully support the Clean Growth Strategy vision to phase out carbon intensive fuels from 2020 and believe the best way to achieve this for off-grid homes is the introduction of a low carbon liquid fuel alternative to oil which initial testing indicates, could run on existing oil boilers without modification.”www.oftec.org.uk
Heat Heroes and FPS members look on as Heart of England Foundation’s Jen Tullet (l), holds the cheque for £11,594 alongside Dawn Shakespeare of the FPS
The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) – together with Midlands-based heating oil distributors, AID Fuels, Nolan Oils and Midland Fuel Oil – have been fundraising to help those in fuel poverty and have awarded £11,594 to four National Energy Action (NEA) Heat Heroes Award winners.
Organised by NEA, which works to end fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Heat Heroes Awards aim to recognise individuals who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to help people living in fuel poverty in their local community.
Having raised £11,594 from two years of fundraising events, the FPS and its members asked The Heart of England Community Foundation to administer the funds with the following chosen to receive £2898.50 each.
“We heartily congratulate all the winners of the NEA Heat Heroes Awards 2018,” said Guy Pulham, FPS chief executive.
“We’re pleased that with the help of our Midlands-based members, we’ve been able to raise a significant sum of money. We’re also impressed by the extraordinary efforts made by these four winners and have no doubt they’ll put the money to incredibly good use.”Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau – Natalie French, fuel poverty advisor intends to use the donation to continue to support people through the bureau’s telephone assessment and advice service; helping more people save money on their heating bills and become more energy efficient.Citizens Advice Derbyshire Districts – Russell Bosanko, financial capability officer helps people save energy; the money will be put towards staging a number of events and attending community events to provide energy advice and support to those most in need of assistance with fuel bills. Wolverhampton Homes – Alvina Ali, energy and climate change officer will address fuel poverty with a series of initiatives, products and services to help tenants and residents to budget and control energy consumption. Home energy visits are an essential part of delivering a customer friendly solution as they give us the tools we need to help support and protect vulnerable residents living in fuel poverty whilst helping them to sustain their tenancies.Marches Energy Agency – Davina Allen, project manager supports vulnerable clients by finding ways to cut energy bills, looking for good deals and reducing fuel debt – the money will provide additional resources for their independent phoneline service across Shropshire, Herefordshire and southern Staffordshire.
“We were delighted that FPS chose our Foundation to administer these funds,” said Tina Costello CEO of Heart of England Community Foundation.
“The Heat Heroes Award winners have done brilliantly to support those struggling in their communities and we are sure their fine work will continue!”www.fpsonline.co.ukwww.nea.org.uk/award-schemes
Hytek (GB) Limited, which consists of Hytek, IFC Inflow and Anglo Nordic Burner Products, purchased Pumptronics Europe Limited from previous owners, The Premier Group, in May 2018.
Hytek and Pumptronics, which were both established in 1985, will continue to operate in their current locations of Bishops Stortford and North Walsham respectively, and will continue to produce their own strongly identifiable products such as the Hytek Alpha pump range and the Pumptronics Zeon and C-series ranges.
“Hytek is very excited to have Pumptronics join the Hytek group,” said Nicola Stamp, group managing director of Hytek (GB).
“Whilst there is some overlap in both the product line-up and customer base, there are real benefits that joint ownership will bring to both brands.”
“Hytek has been a competitor for many years, however, we can be much stronger together,” said Andrew Olive, Pumptronics’ managing director.
“I look forward to seeing if there’s anything we can adopt that will improve our service levels to our customers. As far as product sales, ordering and manufacturing are concerned, the main message is business as usual.
“I look forward to working with Pumptronics in the future and to supplying both existing and new customers within the market,” added Hytek’s sales director, Andy Seal.
www.hytekgb.com
www.pumptronics.co.uk
Supplying directly to large commercial airports is part of the future growth strategy for Gulf Aviation
Adding toits existing portfolio of airport contracts, Gulf Aviation has secured a contract to provide fuel to Birmingham Airport. The deal significantly bolsters the existing fuel supply chain to the airport and will also include the refuelling of onsite vehicles.
Gulf Aviation – Certas Energy’s aviation brand – will provide a supply of Jet A1 fuel to the airport, which is one of the busiest in the UK, servicing more than 13 million passengers every year.
“We’re thrilled to confirm our partnership with Birmingham Airport,” said Alex Murphy, head of Gulf Aviation which has been supplying the UK aviation market for more than eight years.
“We’ve grown as a business by listening to our customers and developing services and solutions that respond to their needs and that help them run their companies more efficiently. It’s something I know Birmingham Airport were impressed with and it played a key part in their decision-making process
“Gulf Aviation will continue to have strong ties to private and business airfields alongside flying clubs; however, supplying directly to large commercial airports is certainly part of our future growth strategy,” added Alex.
Bob Graham, operations director at Birmingham Airport, said:
“This new partnership comes at a really exciting time for Birmingham Airport as we continue to expand the number of carriers and destinations we offer and position ourselves as an attractive airport for carriers looking to expand services into the UK.”
Essar has invested over $850 million since acquiring Stanlow in July 2011
Essar Oil (UK) Limited, which owns and operates the Stanlow Refinery, has reported robust financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31st 2018.
The refinery remains a key national asset, producing over 16% of the UK’s road transport fuel demand. Throughput in FY18 was 7.19 MMT, a reduction of 20.9% on FY17 due to the major turnaround in Q4.
The refinery completed the execution of all project upgrades during the turnaround. It is expected the margin improvements will yield an incremental margin of US $75 million to US $80 million annually in the prevailing market.
Essar’s optimised reconfiguration to a single train site, material diversification of the crude slate and an ongoing focus on margin booster initiatives in recent years resulted in a delta over the benchmark margin of US $4.00/bbl, as against under US $1.00/bbl in 2012.Operational and financial performance: Key Indicators
With 88% of those off-grid having an EPC rating of E, F, or G these homes are generally unsuitable for a heat pump installation, says Neil Schofield, head of government affairs at Worcester Bosch. Credit: gollykim
According to a recent analysis of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) ambition to use heat pumps as a way of lowering the heating emissions of homes off mains gas is flawed.
Responding to the launch of the Committee’s 2018 Progress Report to Parliament, Neil Schofield, head of government affairs at Worcester Bosch, argues that the push for heat pumps to be prioritised is in need of a “reality check”.
“One of the main issues with the CCC’s recommendations is that they are informed by carbon performance alone, and not by practicality or cost,” commented Neil Schofield.
“We really need a reality check, as the figures we’ve seen suggest that heat pumps simply aren’t suitable for an overwhelming majority of homes.”
Worcester Bosch’s close examination of EPC figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government found that less than 12% of the 640,536 properties without access to the mains gas network have an EPC rated C or above. This leaves over 550,000 properties without sufficient insulation for a heat pump installation.
The Government’s Clean Growth Strategy has been widely criticised for its suggestion that oil boilers are to be phased out, with many claiming that renewable alternatives are simply too complicated and expensive.
With a heat pump working at a lower temperature than a boiler, insulation plays a vital role in allowing a property to be heated sufficiently. The characteristics of off mains gas properties with an energy rating of D or below, will therefore generally be unsuitable for a heat pump installation.
Neil added: “The heating industry has long held doubts over the government’s plans for those in off mains gas areas, but these numbers really do emphasise just how flawed that ambition is, and how impractical heat pumps are as a truly viable alternative to an oil boiler. A heat pump can offer numerous benefits for those living in new build or well-insulated properties, but 88% of those off-grid simply don’t fit into either of those categories, with an EPC rating of E, F, or G.
“We are in full agreement that heating needs to be decarbonised but need to remember that it’s the fuel that carries the carbon, not the boiler.
“All the evidence suggests that the best way for us to decarbonise heat from rural homes is to use reduced carbon fuel alternatives. Turning to fuels such as bio-kerosene, biopropane, or even Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), would allow us to continue to rely on the boilers that so many homeowners are familiar with; focusing our efforts on replacing old, inefficient oil boilers with new, high-efficiency condensing models.” www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/professional/products/boilers
Discover more in the Tank Storage Association’s recently published Annual Review for 2018. The publication gives an overview of the bulk liquid storage sector in the UK, and information about the TSA’s activities throughout the last year.
The RoadKing truck stop at Holyhead Port which will soon have the addition of a Certas Energy state-of-the-art bunkering site
The port of Holyhead will have a brand-new 24-hour HGV refuelling facility thanks to Certas Energy which recently announced the development of a second facility, just off the A55 in North Wales at junction 2, with truck stop specialists RoadKing.
Up to four HGVs will be able to refuel at the same time taking advantage of high speed pumps, which dispense fuel at up to 120 litres per minute. The site will also feature advanced data collection technology, fuel monitoring equipment, filtration systems and multi-product dispensers including road diesel, gas oil and AdBlue.
UK Fuels, Key Fuels and Certas Energy fuel cards will all be accepted at the site, with Certas Energy customers receiving a 1ppl discount on all diesel purchases.
Due to open this year, this new state-of-the-art bunker facility, will be created at the existing RoadKing truck stop. Having first opened its doors in May 2015, the facility offers drivers accommodation, a restaurant, a 24-hour fully licensed bar, as well as in demand wash facilities and showers.
“We’re delighted to unveil our plans to build a brand-new HGV refuelling facility,” said Andrew Goodwin, national bunker manager.
“Holyhead Port strengthens our commitment to fuelling Britain’s ports which includes the Port of Liverpool.
“Around 400,000 lorries and trailers pass through the busy Holyhead Port every year making it one of the busiest ports in the UK for Irish Sea freight, so this is a strategic investment for us that supports our ambition to establish a strong network of refuelling locations across the UK.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for all of us at Certas Energy and we’re very pleased to be working so closely with RoadKing again. Our partnership means drivers passing through Holyhead will soon be able to benefit from the convenience of a state-of-the-art refuelling site alongside a best-in-class RoadKing truck stop.”
The partnership between Certas Energy and RoadKing follows on from the success of a similar development in 2017, which saw a new HGV refuelling bunker built at the New Hollies Truckstop in Cannock. Located on the A5, just off junction 12 of the M6, over 16,000 drivers have refuelled at the site since it launched 8 months ago.
Nicholas Whatmore, Director for RoadKing said “We pride ourselves on speaking to drivers to make sure we give them everything they want in a truck stop and a refuelling facility is something that many of them have told us would be a huge benefit.
“Our collaboration with Certas Energy at our Cannock site has been a great success and we’re thrilled to now be extending that to Holyhead Port. It means even more of our customers can take advantage of the 24-hour truck stop services we offer and conveniently refuel their vehicles at the same time before completing their journeys.”www.certasenergy.co.uk/fuel-cards
When it comes to heating their off-grid homes, “cost will remain the most crucial consideration for homeowners who want quick, affordable solutions” says Paul Rose
In decarbonising heat from rural homes, OFTEC has highlighted ‘a strong case’ for the use of low carbon liquid fuels. The case was put forward in response to a call from BEIS for evidence as to the Future Framework for Heat in Buildings.
OFTEC’s submission focused on the introduction of reduced carbon liquid fuels as the most affordable and practical decarbonisation route for the 850,000 oil using homes in England and Wales.
“It is premature for government to consider regulating against oil heating when all liquid fuel boilers could be run on a low carbon alternative fuel before 2035,” said OFTEC CEO Paul Rose.
OFTEC’s response also highlights the harsh realities of decarbonising off-grid housing stock -over 70% of rural properties have unfilled cavity or solid walls (English Housing Survey 2015) making them difficult to treat without significant investment.
OFTEC’s stepped pathway to achieving zero emissions by 2050 includes:
CEO William Bannister – MFG is ‘now better positioned to successfully perform as the UK’s number one independent operator’
Top 50 Indies forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) is ranked 6th in a league table of Britain’s one hundred private companies with the biggest sales in the 17th annual Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 100.
Issued on Sunday (8th July), the league table ranks companies by sales as reported in their latest available accounts, or by more up-to-date figures as reported directly to Fast Track by the companies. This year, the 100 companies reached a record £205bn in total sales, up an average of 16% on the prior year, with record total profits of £23.5bn, up by 10%. An impressive 90 companies increased sales in their latest financial year.
“This is the first time that we have appeared in this league table, and to come in at number six is a great acknowledgement of the hardworking performance of the whole MFG team,” said William Bannister, MFG’s chief executive officer.
“Looking forward, I am confident that with our recent acquisition (21 June 2018) of MRH, we are now even better positioned to successfully perform as the UK’s number one independent forecourt operator.”
The league table is sponsored by HSBC, Linklaters and PwC and compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company.www.motorfuelgroup.com
Welcoming the ‘opportunity to increase our customer base’ Ruairidh Beath, regional director for Rix Petroleum at Wynnstay Fuels
Rix Petroleum has expanded its UK depot network into North West England and Wales for the first time in its 140-year history. The acquisition of Wynnstay Fuels, with depots at Waverton, Chester, and Pwllheli, North Wales, was completed by parent company, J.R. Rix & Sons, on Thursday, June 21st.
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, brings Rix Petroleum’s national network to 14 depots, ranging from Aberdeen in the north to Essex in the south, and from Hull in the east across to Pwllheli.
Headquartered in Hull, Rix now has depots in all the regions of England and Scotland, as well as one in Wales, for the first time.
J.R. Rix & Sons purchased the business from owners Wynnstay PLC and majority shareholder Jeff Kendrick who said:
“The time has finally come for me to retire but I am delighted to be selling to family-owned business Rix.
“I can see that Rix genuinely care about their customers and staff and I have no doubt that they will look after the customers and staff of Wynnstay.”
Rory Clarke, managing director of J.R Rix & Sons, said the Wynnstay business was a valuable addition to the company’s network.
“There is a lot of synergy between Wynnstay Fuels, which runs a fleet of 8 tankers, and Rix Petroleum in terms of values and commitment to customer service, so when we heard Jeff was planning to retire it made sense for us to look to acquire the business.
“From a location point of view, this acquisition gives us a much stronger foothold in North West England and Wales, so we’re delighted we were able to agree a deal and take over the reins from Jeff.”
Ruairidh Beath, regional director for Rix Petroleum, added: “We already sell fuel to customers in Wales through our local business Rix Petroleum (Mercia) Ltd which is based in Market Drayton. We welcome this opportunity to increase our customer base in the area.”www.rix.co.uk
With ‘numerous suppliers not able to guarantee their SFGO will be free of FAME’, FPS technical manager, Tony Brown, wants to ensure all are well-prepared
The FPS wants all distributors and users of SFGO to be aware of the impact that changes to the UK’s Renewable Fuel Transport Obligation (RTFO) target will have on non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) equipment.
“The FPS understands that numerous suppliers cannot guarantee their SFGO will be free of FAME,” explained Tony Brown, FPS technical manager.
“In April this year, the legally required percentage of fuels derived from renewable sources increased to 7.25%. From 1 January 2019 this will rise to 8.5% and keep rising till it reaches 12.4% by 2032.
“All suppliers are obligated to meet the new targets but free on just how they reach each target. There are different ways to achieve this, including the addition of FAME to SFGO, so we want to warn all users of NRMM.
“It may be that road diesel, including FAME, will be marked and supplied for NRMM use – and it is important that business owners and farmers who use mobile machinery, are aware of what this could mean for them.
“The increased use of FAME in SFGO could lead to issues and challenges with agricultural equipment including tractors, forestry equipment, construction machinery, forklift trucks, portable generators, inland waterway vessels, and recreational craft.
“FAME is corrosive to certain materials such as rubber and can cause filters to clog and increase the risk of bacterial growth as well as instability levels of the fuel. The good news is there are steps which farmers and businesses can take to prepare for the change.
“Before taking delivery of any biofuel, give the tank a specialist clean or check on the tank immediately after. Continue to carry out regular tank checks and take remedial action if you notice any water, dirt, mould or growth. It’s worth examining filters, pipework and seals on a regular basis, and to replace filters after every 2 or 3 deliveries anyway.
“Most NRMM engines are thankfully compatible with fuel containing FAME in the proportion found in fuel, but farmers and businesses who own older equipment may need to make modifications such as the inclusion of a drain point in the tank to remove any water build-up.
“As water is a big problem for SFGO containing FAME, it’s recommended to limit storage time of FAME blended fuels, and to keep tanks topped up to reduce air which can draw moisture,” added Tony.fpsonline.co.uk
Last week UKPIA published its annual review of the downstream oil industry. Now in its sixteenth year of publication, the 2018 Statistical Review is a valuable compilation of UK downstream oil industry statistics.
The Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in her introduction to the review, commented:
“The downstream fuels sector has an historic role in underpinning economic prosperity in the UK, and as the UKPIA’s latest Annual Statistical Review reminds us, oil still plays a major role in driving UK prosperity and will continue to do so in the coming years.”
“I am pleased to announce the launch of the 2018 Statistical Review,” said UKPIA’s director-general, Stephen Marcos Jones.
“The information and statistics it contains provide a comprehensive and clear picture of the downstream oil sector in the UK. In its 16th edition, revised and expanded to include relevant additional data, the Statistical Review continues to be widely regarded as the go-to source of information on our sector.”
For an electronic version of the 2018 edition of the Statistical Review, click here.
“EOGB believes that the proposals discriminate against some of the most vulnerable rural households,” says Martin Cooke, technical director at EOGB
Burner manufacturer EOGB Energy Products is urging government to acknowledge ongoing innovation in the oil heating sector, following proposals to exclude oil from the next round of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
The proposed changes to ECO, which aims to help low income households reduce their energy bills through energy efficiency measures, would see oil-heated households unable to repair or replace an old, faulty or broken boiler with a new oil appliance.
Consumers in off-grid homes may be allowed to fit other solutions such as air source heat pumps and LPG boilers, but these systems are more expensive to run.
Therefore, EOGB believes that the proposals discriminate against some of the most vulnerable rural households who need access to the cheapest form of heating, leaving them at a significant financial disadvantage compared to those on mains gas.
“We believe it is premature and short-sighted to remove oil from ECO3,” says Martin Cooke, technical director at EOGB.
“The oil heating sector is brimming with new technology, particularly considering that the government have yet to formulate policy towards decarbonising the off-grid sector.”www.eogb.co.uk
The key theme of OFTEC’s 2018 annual conference was liquid fuel heating’s future. OFTEC CEO Paul Rose updated members and guests on the key steps achieved since the trade association’s two-stage strategy to decarbonise off-grid homes was launched last year.
OFTEC plans focus on an incentivised programme to upgrade the 400,000 old, inefficient oil boilers still in use across England and Wales, providing immediate carbon reduction wins of up to 20% per household and paving the way for roll out of a low carbon liquid fuel as soon as it becomes available.
Over the last year, OFTEC has carried out extensive lobbying activity to explain the practical difficulties and potential cost to rural consumers of government proposals outlined in the Clean Growth Strategy to phase out high carbon fossil fuel heating, whilst emphasising the viability of low carbon liquid fuels as a practical and cost-effective solution for off-grid homes.
From these discussions, a Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and OFTEC working group has been established to co-ordinate discussion and action on the future of the off-grid heating sector, with the first meeting held on 3rd May. In partnership with leading manufacturers, OFTEC has also begun performance tests on various low carbon liquid fuel blends and a 100% biofuel, with highly positive results.
“The climate change challenge is one we all need to work towards addressing,” said Paul Rose.
“OFTEC has been working hard to progress a low carbon liquid fuel solution which offers a realistic, practical alternative to the current options on the table for off-grid homes which are not fit for purpose.
“Now is the time for our industry to unite, step up and act collectively to meet the significant opportunity decarbonisation brings. This means everyone from installers and manufacturers to fuel suppliers and refiners playing their part. Much progress has been made to date, and against an undeniably challenging backdrop, but we need to keep this positive momentum going and deliver a futureproof solution that works for consumers and government alike.”
Lee Thomas, procurement and contracts manager, Silverstone Circuits with Craig Nugent, head of dealer sales, Certas Energy
Gulf Retail has become the fuel partner to Silverstone Circuits providing the motor racing venue with its full requirement of fuels including a range of premium and racing fuels as well as heating oils and generator fuels. “We are impressed by Silverstone’s vision to become a year-round leisure destination and see great long-term potential from this agreement,” enthused Craig Nugent, head of dealer sales at Certas Energy.
“It also enables us to align our Gulf brand with one of the world’s leading race circuits and showcase the quality and performance capabilities of Gulf fuels.”
The forecourt within Silverstone Circuits National Paddock has been extensively refurbished to meet the future needs of the circuit and its range of fuels now includes unleaded, Gulf’s premium fuel grade Endurance, Gulf 99 Octane Track unleaded and Gulf 102 Octane specially blended racing fuel formula for even greater performance.
Gulf was supported by retail technology specialists, HTEC who supplied and installed the outside payment terminal, POS and back office system, allowing the site to operate a 24- hour service.
Investment within Silverstone Circuit is ongoing and includes ‘The Silverstone Experience’, a new technology driven and interactive visitor attraction due to open in 2019, as well as development of Silverstone’s premium meeting and accommodation facilities.
“This is a partnership between two companies with a rich motor racing heritage and a strong commitment to the future,” added Lee Thomas, procurement and contracts manager, Silverstone Circuits. “Our forecourt has now been refurbished to meet future demand from both the racing fraternity and motoring public. The Circuit’s entire fuel needs are now serviced by Certas Energy and Gulf and we hope that this is the start of a strong relationship that in time will extend well beyond the supply of high quality fuels.”gulfoil.co.uk/retail/
Scott Roberts
“LIKE MANY ORGANISATIONS IN OUR INDUSTRY, THIS WINTER WAS CHALLENGING FOR US,” REPORTS SCOTT ROBERTS, OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS DIRECTOR AT WATSON FUELS WHO SHARES THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE COMPANY TO BUILD RESILIENCE INTO ITS OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES
Inclement weather is always a boost for fuel services but high customer volumes, supply chain pressures and intensity of demand puts pressure on all levels of your business, reports Scott Roberts, operations and logistics director at Watson Fuels, pictured above.
Despite this, Watson Fuels emerged with record customer retention figures. This success can, in the main, be put down to a resilient, flexible and responsive operations strategy. But how can organisations build resilience into their operational strategies? These are the steps we took at Watson Fuels.
Essar – ‘welcomes expressions of interest from retail partners in both developing the retail offer and in running the business with Essar’ – retail@essaroil.co.uk
Having successfully broken through the milestone of over 50 dealer supplied sites, Essar Oil UK is looking to build on its successful retail brand by developing a leading edge, new build ‘Roadside Retail’ location, opposite the entrance to its Stanlow Refinery in Ellesmere Port.
The company is keen to use this prestigious retail investment to highlight their brand and would welcome expressions of interest from retail partners in both developing the retail offer and in running the business with Essar.
The one-acre site, situated on the busy A5117 road between the M56 and M53 motorways, was previously a small forecourt, but will be transformed into Essar’s flagship vision for retail in the coming months. Planning permission has already been secured for the development which will comprise a convenience store of c4,000 sq ft., and five fuelling islands – four for retail and one HGV enabled. There will be parking for around 25 cars and space for up to four electric charging points. It is expected that around 30 jobs will be created, with the site expected to open later this year.
“This development has been two years in the planning and marks the next stage in the evolution of our retail brand offering and is a real statement of intent,” explained SB Prasad, chief commercial officer, retail.
“The funds to develop the project are in place and whilst we have the ability to operate the site ourselves, we think that there is a real partnership opportunity for those with an evolved retail offer or real forecourt expertise to do the retailing while we focus on producing high quality fuels for the UK. Accordingly, we welcome any expressions of interest from forecourt operators keen to run what we believe will be one of the best retail sites in the North West.”
Essar are confident their award-winning brand proposition can enhance any retail business, with this latest bold move representing another compelling reason for retailers to sign up with the company.
“Dealers and motorists already understand Stanlow’s role in providing high quality fuels made in Britain and our brand is the perfect complement to the latest redevelopment,” added SB Prasad.
“Where better to showcase this than opposite our main manufacturing base.
“We fully expect this location to pump well over six million litres each year. We have already had significant interest from big retail brands in working with us and will look to finalise matters in the next three months.ANYONE INTERESTED IN THIS EXCITING OPPORTUNITY SHOULD CONTACT RETAIL@ESSAROIL.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION