The Tank Storage Association’s 2013 Conference & Exhibition will be held at the E.ON Lounge at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, on Thursday 19th September 2013. TSA’s Conference and Exhibition is the UK’s leading event for the bulk liquid storage sector, designed to successfully bring people together who care about safe and effective bulk liquid storage operations. The event is moving to a larger venue to aid growth. Martyn Lyons, TSA chairman said: “We are all excited about moving TSA’s Conference & Exhibition to the E.ON Lounge at the Ricoh Arena in 2013. This represents a significant next step in the development of this successful event. Plans are still at an early stage but the intention is to accommodate significantly more delegates and to double the number of exhibitors.” http://www.tankstorage.org.uk/

Formula 1 driver Jenson Button has been educating UK drivers about the benefits of ExxonMobil’s synthetic engine oil, Mobil1.  Research carried out by the brand found that 94% of motorists are unaware of the benefits offered by synthetic engine oils, and almost 50 per cent are not sure why oil is needed in an engine. The track star took time out of his busy schedule to demonstrate how to check your car’s lubrication levels at the UK headquarters of ExxonMobil in Leatherhead, Surrey. Jenson said: “I rely on Mobil 1 to help improve the efficiency and performance in my Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race car. But you can also benefit from these fuel economy savings by changing your engine oil to Mobil 1 today.” “Mobil 1 is dedicated to educating consumers on the benefits of using synthetic engine oil technology, which includes helping to minimise lubricant break-down and contamination in a car engine” said Dan McGoldrick, field marketing advisor UK, Nordic and Benelux for ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialities. ExxonMobil has also introduced Mobilgard 560 VS – a new high-performance cylinder oil, which helps reduce wear, extend engine life and ensure optimal reliability in severe operating conditions.

Norbert Dentressangle has announced a multi-million pound investment to  upgrade its Euroterminal site on Trafford Park in Manchester, creating what it calls “the UK’s safest, most modern top tier COMAH warehouse”. By increasing racking density at the 200,000 sq ft Euroterminal site, the company will increase capacity by 40%, creating an additional 8,000 pallet spaces to meet increasing demand for hazardous goods warehousing.  Due for completion in February 2013, it is expected that the project will create approximately 30 new jobs at the site, which currently employs 100 people. Karl Hudson, regional general manager for Norbert Dentressangle’s COMAH operations, said: “Increasing the capacity of the site, along with the range of products we can handle, is a highly complex process and involves upgrading a whole host of ancillary facilities and equipment in line with the latest COMAH Regulations. As a result, we believe that Euroterminal will become the UK’s safest, most compliant Top Tier COMAH warehouse.” www.norbert-dentressangle.co.uk

Neil Schofield, head of external and governmental affairs at Worcester, Bosch Group DECC’s decision to bring forward the Green Deal cashback scheme for boiler replacements to the second week in January has been welcomed by Worcester, Bosch Group. Neil Schofield, head of external and governmental affairs at Worcester, Bosch Group, who lobbied the government over its scheduling of the boiler cashback scheme on behalf of the HHIC, commented:  “The decision to bring forward the availability of cashback for boiler replacements is certainly a welcome one, as it brings some much needed stability to the industry. We were extremely pleased to see DECC integrate boiler replacements within the Green Deal back in October, but were alarmed to hear that the cashback scheme would not launch until the end of January.”  He added: “With the Green Deal regarded as ‘the only show in town’ for the heating industry at present, there is a massive opportunity to make it a success. An additional three weeks of subsidised boiler sales in January is likely to stimulate demand for insulation and get the Green Deal off to the flying start that was intended. “We are extremely pleased that DECC has taken action following feedback from the heating industry and look forward to engaging with installers nationwide ensure there are enough accredited professionals to make the Green Deal a success.”www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

Hytek’s solution to dual filling is the Alpha twin Hytek has launched the Alpha twin, making it possible to dual fill vehicles at the same time. With the increasing popularity of biodiesel and Adblue, operators previously required one pump per fuel, or the same fuel at two different speeds. But the development of the popular Alpha pump means only one is required, enabling savings on cost and space. Front nozzle holsters are optional at no extra cost where space to the side of the pump is limited. The twin comes with a multitude of pumping speeds 50/50, 50/70, 50/90L/min. The dual display gives the option to pull up to either side of the pump and still be able to see the dispensed amount.www.hytekgb.com

Children from William Tyndale Primary School, Islington help launch the campaign A national Brake campaign is appealing to drivers to slow down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops, and calling for 20mph limits in built-up areas, so that children and adults can walk and cycle safely. The GO 2O campaign was launched during Road Safety Week through street parties and events across the UK. A survey of more than 8,000 children aged 7-11 by Brake, Brain Injury Group and Specsavers revealed that 70% would be able to walk and cycle more if roads in their neighbourhood were less dangerous. 43% said they have been hit or nearly hit while walking or cycling, and more than half worried about being hurt by traffic when out and about. The GO 20 campaign is highlighting that slower speeds in towns, cities and villages can help deliver a post-2012 legacy of active communities, and prevent pedestrian and cyclist casualties, which increased in 2011. Many authorities are already recognising the benefits of 20mph by implementing town and city-wide 20 limits.

The majority of Petroineos’ customers are based in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.  BP, Grangemouth’s former owner, remains its biggest customer  Particularly strong in middle distillates, the refinery’s product range consists of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, LPG, fuel oil, gas oil and heating oil.  With the exception of fuel oil and LPG all products can be transported via the Grangemouth – Finnart Ocean Terminal pipeline. Although very little fuel is now exported to the US, petrol continues to be supplied to markets in Europe, China and South Africa.  With UK to UK refinery product transfers presently subject to uncompetitive additional tax measure, the company is asking the government to look at this as a matter of urgency. Fostering good customer relationships To better assist with product sales and marketing, Petroineos Fuels was established.  “Customers like dealing direct with the refinery where manufacturing, sales, technical, quality and accounts operations are all together,” said Andrew Garner, commercial manager, PetroIneos refining. Sales are based on Platts north west Europe prices plus or minus a premium.  The company does not operate on the spot market with customers being on contract for a minimum four month term.  Andrew explained:  “I value longer term relationships to better serve my customers through thick and thin, so when it comes to allocation issues, all customers get a proportion of the cake.” Positioned 110 miles from Grangemouth and 115 miles from Stanlow, the company’s rail fed Dalston terminal extends its inland reach. Supporting the Cumbrian community and the M6 supply corridor, the Dalston terminal offers an economical way of delivering fuel across thenorth westby both road and rail. Grangemouth is the closest refinery to Northern Ireland and the province affords the company’s largest kerosene market; product is supplied into Belfast from the Finnart Ocean Terminal on Loch Long.  In order to give Northern Ireland customers the same direct relationship that others enjoy in the UK, the company will be undertaking its own marketing in Northern Ireland from later this year. FON asked if INEOS saw a future for kerosene as heating oil.  “Absolutely!” said Andrew.  “As one of the biggest suppliers of kerosene in the UK, we’re very committed to this excellent heating oil which is particularly suited for those off grid.”

In a year that the country has honoured outstanding achievement at the London Olympics, and longevity with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Millers Oils celebrated a Queen’s Award for Enterprisein its 125th year of business. The Yorkshire-based company opened its state of the art Research and Development Centre in Brighouse in September, and invited industry guests to join staff for a unique day to commemorate the successes of 2012. A production hall was transformed into an exhibition space, where attendees could admire racing cars, and enjoy a Formula One simulator and giant Scalextric track, while listening to live Caribbean music. Millers Oils has invested more than £500,000 in the new Research and Devlopment facility, providing the capability to develop low friction oils that set new standards for efficiency. “The new R&D centre is essential to ensure we continue the steep growth we have experienced for the last decade,” said Nevil Hall, joint managing director. “As a relatively small company it is important that we develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges our customers face.” He added: “I am confident that we have the team to respond to the challenges in both the present and the future.” International growth Nevil’s optimism for a sparkling future is backed up with compelling evidence, as the company has nearly trebled turnover in the last 11 years, and experienced significant international growth in the past three years, despite a challenging economic climate. The Queen’s Award for International Trade, which celebrates companies who have made an outstanding contribution to the British economy, was presented at the event by Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Tim Hare. He acknowledged the tough times that many businesses are currently experiencing, and said: “Millers Oils have proven to be one of the exceptions.” Sales and joint managing director, Steve Woollven, said:” Despite the difficult economic conditions of the past three years, Millers Oils has produced consistent, strong growth in its business, both domestically and internationally.” He added: “Receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise is an enormous honour for the company and will help open doors for us as we continue to develop our export business. We already have a strong presence in Europe and the Far East and are now developing distributor networks in Africa and South America.” Millers Oils was founded in 1887 by John Watson Miller, but his descendent, and current company chairman speaking at the event, Andrew Miller, was quick to point to the current family of the Millers Oil staff in working towards the achievements of a modern, global business. Nevil went on to say: “We have established a lead ahead of the competition, and like the Olympic athletes, we have no intention of relinquishing it.” Racing to victory Special guest, Lord Drayson, who owns Drayson Racing Technology and was Minister of Science in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills until May 2010, agreed.  “It is important to continue to invest in science in order to understand products and the problems that customers face.” He went on to discuss the role of innovation in motorsport, in trialing new inventions before they are introduced to general road users. The first rearview mirror was used at the inaugural Indianopolis 500 race in 1911, and the tradition continues today. Recognizing the opportunities and exposure that an involvement in motorsport can bring, Millers Oils sponsors a wide range of motor stars, including British Rally Championship Challenge Champion, Callum Black. Millers Oils continues to strive to ensure its continued presence at the forefront of the market. Recently, the company undertook an entire redesign of the labels across its product range. Following customer feedback, colours are brighter and the design more striking. Isle of Man TT winner Ryan Farquhar has also been signed up to appear on the label for the biking market, and he will continue to work with the company for the next 12 months. The company also launched a new family of high performance oils, Nanodrive, at this year’s Automechanika show in Frankfurt.  The lubricants use microscopic nanoparticles that act like minute ball bearings between opposing metal surfaces, thereby increasing engine performance through reducing friction. Motorsport users reported power increases up to 5.6 percent, and when the nanotechnology oil was tested against a competitor’s oil, Nanodrive recorded 33% lower friction. Application of the technology to road car oils is set to reduce fuel bills by up to 2.5 percent for the everyday road user. Nevil explained that many of those in the industry were surprised that results had been so significant through a slight change to the oil. He underlined the importance of using lubricants for engine performance.  He said: “Oil is just oil? I don’t think so. Not any more.”

With community buying still very much a talking point, Liz Boardman contacted a number of regional buying groups to get their side of the story    The benefits Without doubt the main aim in setting up or joining a buying group is to save money – most of the groups that FON spoke to were united on this point. Richard Holland, the instigator, designer and facilitator of the Wellow Oil Group in Somerset believes: “Substantial financial savings to members and less traffic movements and pollution into the various communities,” are key factors. “There’s no charge to belong to the group as I co-ordinate it as part of my voluntary commitment to my community. I can always beat national oil groups such as BoilerJuice on price – in fact they’re almost, without exception, the most expensive price I receive!” For Barney Lodge however, who runs the 1550 strong Essex-based Oil Buying Group, having a membership database is one of the key advantages. “It can do so many other things for rural membership,” he explained. My Consortium covers areas in the south west and East Midlands. Owner, Lisa Poole, told FON that there were a number of reasons for setting up the group. In addition to saving rural people money on heating oil, Lisa wanted to give power to the rural community, keep consumers at the heart of the business model and help those close to or in fuel poverty. As far as the benefits are concerned: “My Consortium does the work and the customer can sit back and let it happen rather than ringing round lots of suppliers themselves.” She believes that sharing market information and intelligence is also a huge advantage. Running a group Running a community buying group can be a full time job, but for most co-ordinator’s this is simply not a viable option. Steve Blood, co-ordinator of the Oxfordshire Merton Oil Buying Group (MOBG) set up the group in 2008 with just 19 participants. The group, which is not for profit, now boasts nearly 600 registered members. “My current employ is not a nine-to-five job so the time available to run MOBG is stretched and it’s very time consuming. Although the group was initially free to join, Steve introduced an annual £10 administration charge to cover his expenses and a small fraction of his time. Lisa Poole however, runs My Consortium as a commercial business. “I run the group as flexibly as possible. I have half a dozen local suppliers in each area and some that cover the whole country. Suppliers advise me of their bulk buying price each morning and I place orders every day.” Carole Seward runs Enstone Oil in Oxfordshire, with help from her husband. “I’ve asked for volunteers in the past but none were forthcoming. We’re a small group though so we can manage.” The group was set up in 2008 by housing association, Cottsway Housing. Having established one in neighbouring Burford, the association wanted to encourage other communities to do the same. Administered by Barney Lodge, the Oil Buying Group places orders for approximately two million litres of oil per year.  Barney believes that as a result of not charging for membership or commissions, the group’s numbers are climbing. “Members’ orders are posted online against a pre-determined buying date via their own village website, and orders are consolidated and exported to Excel for the winning supplier. The entire project, including a super-fast response to any enquiry, is managed on my iPhone and only takes a few hours a month.” Preparing for winter Getting members organised for the colder months is no mean feat. Lisa Poole has been galvanising customers into early action. “The first thing I did was advise customers when the price was at, what I felt, its lowest.  Back in June I contacted customers, advising them that it might be a good time to buy so they are topped up for winter, and many took advantage of this. We also encourage customers to purchase their oil before December to try and avoid paying an inflated price.” Keith Weller, co-ordinator of the Worcestershire-based Bayton Oil Syndicate agrees: “I get people to buy when the price is low, usually during the summer months. I also advise people to have at least two weeks reserve in their tanks when ordering.” Having being caught out in December 2010 by the sheer volume of new members wanting to order oil just before Christmas, Steve Blood plans ahead. “I avoid placing a group order in December. Obviously everyone’s needs are different so I would place a small order for those that actually need it, but my aim is to have the bulk order delivered at the beginning of December. I also place two orders in January.”  Carole Seward has also learned the hard way: “The first year, I placed an order in December. As soon as I did that it snowed and the temperature plummeted! Just about everyone received their oil before Christmas except me. So I learned to never place an order in December.”

Public storage is now fulfilling a number of key roles in the downstream supply chain In addition to both supplementing and complementing established oil company facilities, public storage contributes to the enhancement of our overall security and continuity of product supply; particularly now against a background of rationalisation of refinery and terminal networks.  It also –

With volatility in the oil market at an all time high, the importance of market intelligence cannot be underestimated. Liz Boardman talks to leading information providers to find out what’s on offer   Who, what, when, how much and at what price? At Argus market intelligence services underpin price assessments. With more than 200 reporters worldwide monitoring, checking and reporting on energy markets throughout the day, Argus offers a full picture of what is behind price movements.   In addition to an end of day assessment, there is an intra-day record of deals done, plus an explanation as to why prices have moved, the latest trends and how the supply/demand outlook is shaping up. Daily reports are produced on petroleum products, biofuels, LPG, jet fuel and other energy markets.  The Fuel Tracker product keeps British customers in touch with wider market developments. Offices across the world enable Argus to investigate and analyse market rumours and hearsay to discover what is really going on and why. A range of analytical, higher level reports offer exclusive insight.  www.argusmedia.com Sound advice to aid decision making “Managing price volatility and reducing risk is essential to survival in the current climate,” says Fuelpricesonline founder, Basil Shrourou. “There’s also an opportunity to improve margins. A daily price movement of 1ppl or 1cpl is no longer a surprise to us. On 3rd July, we saw a movement of over 2ppl on some oil products.”  “I honestly wouldn’t survive in this business without the help of Basil,” said Lambes Oil managing director, Rita Lambe. “He’s always available with sound advice at the other end of the line.” Also in Ireland, Andrew Wilson, sales manager – wholesale and retail, Kelly Fuels reported:  “The service is an extremely useful tool in providing us with accurate and timely information on market movements.” “Delivering this accurate and timely information to the downstream oil markets, helps distributors across the UKand Irelandto reduce exposure and optimise performance,” added Basil. “Being located close to the main oil trading centres in Londonand Rotterdamgives us a unique insight in to market thinking and oil intelligence.”  wwwfuelpricesonline.com The WP Group has used the service for over 10 years. Managing director David Faichild reports:  “We’ve always found this service reliable and accurate; it gives our sales and procurement teams the benefit of regular up to date information to help in decision making.” Planning ahead more effectively A wide range of market intelligence is to be found at The Oil Market Journal (OMJ), including intraday price assessments for refined products, detailed news and trend analysis. Live prices for heating oil, diesels and petrol are delivered through the trading day via OMJ’s website, ticker, mobile website, text and email messaging service. Each morning, the OMJ daily report provides clients with news and analysis on what is driving oil prices.  Enabling clients to plan more effectively, a weekly Energy Roadmap report gives a comprehensive overview of the fundamental and technical outlook for the week ahead. www.the-omj.com Making sound business decisions Platts publishes news, research, commentary, market data/analysis and price assessments on a daily basis. Its products and services include newsletters and reports, geospatial data and maps, conferences and a weekly television programme broadcast in the US and online. Information and market insights ‘help customers to make sound trading and business decisions and enable the markets to perform with greater transparency and efficiency.’ www.platts.com Having reported on the European oil products market for over 20 years, the research/consulting services of Wood Mackenzie are designed to enhance business performance and inform strategic planning/investment decisions. A downstream oil service provides in-depth research on the European oil supply chain with country/company analysis, monthly prices and margins reporting.  A monthly Market View report enables users to monitor monthly prices, marketing margins and demand data for key fuels, benchmark fuel prices/margins across 26 national markets. www.woodmac.com What aids the decision making for your business? Email liz@fueloilnews.co.uk. 

Police in North West Leicestershire say they are concerned about a recent rise in oil theft in the area. Fuel to a value of £16,000 has reportedly been stolen from properties in Worthington, Newbold Coleorton, Breedon, Lount and Tonge in the last 60 days. Police have noticed a steep rise in this type of crime occurring whenever the price of crude oil rises and are advising homeowners to take a few simple steps to secure their oil tanks. These include keeping oil levels as low as necessary to reduce the value of any theft, installing lockable gates and maintaining boundaries and perimeter fencing, hiding tanks from view with shrubs or fences, fitting tank alarms which are triggered when there is a rapid drop in the oil level. Sergeant Mark Watson, a neighbourhood team leader based at Coalville Local Policing Unit said: “We have noticed an increase in theft from domestic fuel tankers/containers in North West Leicestershire in recent months. As fuel costs increase, this problem may continue until the perpetrators are captured.”

Two new guides have been published, promoting health & safety best practice among professional drivers. Load Safe, Road Safe and Transport Safety have been produced by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), with assistance from a number of organisations, including Wincanton, the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association. The publications, written by Nina Day, a senior engineer at the HSL, offer drivers and other operators information about good practice and assistance for complying with road and workplace legislation. Dave Rowlands, Wincanton’s technical services director said: “Although we operate in a competitive market, when it comes to issues such as health and safety, we are at the forefront of promoting good practice right across the industry, not just within our own business, so when we were asked to help with these new guides we were delighted to contribute.” The guides are available to purchase at www.hsl.gov.uk

Greenergy has commenced diesel, gasoil and kerosene supply from its terminal at Teesside, now known as Greenergy North Tees. The North Tees facility was already closed when it was acquired by Greenergy in July 2012, having ceased commercial operation earlier in the year following the administration of Petroplus Refining Teesside Ltd.  Since taking over at the terminal, Greenergy has undertaken a condition survey and made certain improvements prior to commencing supply. The company says it now intends to make further significant investments at the site in order to create an integrated supply system for petrol and diesel in the North East and a new hub for its rail distribution network. Andrew Owens, Greenergy chief executive, said “Our North Tees terminal will complement our existing petrol manufacturing facilities on Teesside, by adding the infrastructure for a new rail head, our own jetty capable of receiving large diesel ships and product interchange between terminal locations.” Other planned improvements at North Tees over the next 18 months include:

Ministers have been urged to take urgent steps to ensure the future security of the UK’s oil refining capacity by Unite. The call has come in the wake of the closure of the Coryton oil refinery in Essex earlier this year which cost nearly 3,000 jobs across the UK, with an adverse knock-on effect to the economy estimated to be up to £1bn. A number of distributors have told Fuel Oil News that the closure is having severe consequences on supply in the South East. Neil Flynn, Linton Fuel Oils, and Mark Mackenzie, Nolan Fuels, complained that congestion at other terminals is now such a serious problem that in some instances, allocations had run out. John Cooper, of Stevenage Oil Co, said:”It’s affecting other terminals in the area, with the high demand stretching product resources to the limit. Companies are queuing at the terminals as computers break down and are getting further and further behind.” In its document, Refining Our Future, Unite outlines the fragmented nature of oil refining in the UK and calls on the government to have “a serious policy aimed at the maintenance of a viable, competitive and efficient refining sector”. At present, there are seven UK oil refineries employing 150,000 workers, directly and indirectly, faced with squeezed profit margins and at the mercy of international market forces, as was the case with Coryton, owned by Swiss company, Petroplus. Unite is angry at the British government’s failure to rescue Coryton, while the French government stepped in with 16 million euros to save its Petroplus-owned refinery. The union accused the UK government of hiding behind so-called EU competition rules for its inertia. Unite national officer for the processing sector, Linda McCulloch said: “Unite is deeply concerned at what we consider to be the vulnerability of a number of oil refineries in the UK. “We consider the oil industry to be critical to the UK economy. In an increasingly unstable world where new supplies of crude oil will need to be found quickly in the years ahead, it is absolutely essential the UK maintains its ability to refine its own oil. “Britain should not become totally dependent on importing finished products. “We will be urging government, policy makers and the industry to recognise the key points in our strategy and use it to defend the UK’s oil sector capacity and manage significant economic change in the industry.” www.unitetheunion.org/