News 90
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
Linton Fuel Oils national account manager, Rupert Mills
Rupert Mills has been appointed as national accounts manager at Linton Fuel Oils.
Linton has offered national fuel deliveries to customers for some time, but Rupert’s introduction will allow a greater focus on offering a superior level of service to those who value a single point of contact for all of their fuel requirements.
The company provides extensive coverage in London and the South East, and elsewhere uses only approved independent distributors.
Rupert said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the smaller distributors to have a slice of the national cake, offering a very real alternative to the corporate suppliers who currently monopolise the market. The strength of the independents is based on the excellent service these companies have always offered.”
Neil Flynn, sales director, said: “Linton nationwide will be carefully integrated into the traditional Linton business and will provide a great platform for the company’s growth strategy. With his extensive industry experience and in-depth knowledge of national accounts, Rupert is the ideal person to drive this new division forward.”
www.lintonfueloils.com
Adam Kerbes has been appointed to oversee Pace Fuelcare’s business in the Midlands and will be based at a new office in Coleshill.
Adam will oversee oil distribution depots across the region, including the new office in Coleshill, which is scheduled to open before the end of the year.
His primary objectives will be to stimulate organic growth and position the Pace Fuelcare brand as the first choice for customers in the area.
Adam brings a wealth of industry experience, having held senior managerial positions within the LPG and retail divisions at BP UK, before joining Pace Fuelcare five years ago.
Adam said: “It’s my aim to ensure that we continue to provide the best level of customer service by extending our product range and service offering and providing individually-tailored packages, to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers.
“The soon to be completed sales operation at Coleshill will play a key part in this by bringing our staff and distribution fleet from the nearby depots under one roof, making this location our transport hub for the region.”
Philip Wharton, general manager for Pace Fuelcare, added: “Adam was the natural choice for this position as he has extensive business and oil industry knowledge to bring to the role. His knowledge of the area and our customers’ requirements in this region are also vital qualities which will assist him to deliver the exceptional standards that our customers have come to expect.”
www.pacefuelcare.co.uk
Oiltanking, a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls which also includes Mabanaft, has entered into an agreement to acquire the Helios terminal in Singapore.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the company will also acquire, the terminal’s holding company Chemoil.
The purpose-built Helios terminal has a total capacity of 503,000 cbm and was commissioned in 2008. Oiltanking already operates two terminals in Singapore with a combined storage capacity of more than 1.7million cbm.
www.mbholding.com.
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
A new range of anti-theft alarms has just been unveiled at the Oil & Renewable Energy Show by Dunraven Systems.
The range from the suppliers of Apollo ultrasonic oil level monitors, offers oil users a choice of four different anti-theft technologies.
A transmitter has been optimised to monitor variances in the level of fuel inside each tank. It screws on easily, with no specialist equipment required. A long life lithium battery is supplied as standard, with an operational life of up to 10 years.
In the event of a theft being detected, the transmitter unit sends an encrypted signal to a remote receiver unit.
Managing director, Gerry Jones said: “The issue of fuel theft has probably never been higher on the agenda of homeowners, householders, fuel distributors and heating oil technicians alike. Recognising that no two fuel storage installations are the same, we’ve launched no fewer than four ways of combating fuel theft, providing the marketplace with a choice of technologies and systems instead of a compromise.”
The company also announced broadband and GPRS versions of its RMS remote tank monitoring system.
The new broadband plugs into existing consumer broadband hubs, while the GPRS option relays data to a modem in the customer’s premises and in turn to the fuel distributor.
www.dunravensystems.com
IFC bottom loading arms are assisting with loading at NuStar’s Clydebank terminal in Glasgow.
In an on-going programme, IFC has successfully supplied a second rack of loading arms to upgrade the bottom loading gantry facilities, and the third set is due to be supplied within the next month.
The IFC BLA445T bottom loading arm is completely operator orientated and is carbon steel in construction with PTFE seals, making it compatible with a large number of fuels and liquids.
It has a compact, fully adjustable compression spring cylinder to allow easy operation of a fully flooded arm and hose assembly. The 4” nominal bore arm provides flow rates of up to 2500 litres per minute, and the three part swivel joints allow easy manoeuvrability and guarantee the API coupler lines up correctly.
Nustar Clydebank & Grangemouth terminal engineer Neil Woodley said: “We needed a reliable and cost effective replacement for our first generation loading arms, along with good technical support from the supplier. With IFC we are happy we made the right choice on both accounts.”
IFC operations director, Kiran Shaw, added: “Our loading arm offers engineering quality at low capital outlay combined with reduced on-going maintenance costs, which all goes to make our 445T one of the best value bottom loading arms available”.
www.inflow.co.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
Tony, who will chair the Greenergy Audit and Risk Committee, joined Premier Oil as finance director in June 2005. He started his career as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen before joining Lehman Brothers inLondon, initially as an oil sector analyst. He joined the investment banking division of Lehman in 1987 and from 1997 was managing director and head of the European Natural Resources Group. In this role he managed both client relationships and numerous transactions for a variety of European and North American clients.
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/
Plans to limit the use of food-based biofuels to 5% have been announced by the EU climate commissioner, Connie Hedegaard. The biodiesel industry has condemned the changes, which they see as a blow that could cost thousands of jobs.
As reported in the Guardian, the proposed plans will cap the levels of biofuels to just above the current output of 4.5%. Biofuels produced from oil crops can give out more carbon emissions than diesel, and cause higher food prices.
Connie Hedegaard told the Guardian: “We cannot morally afford to build a very big industry on something that is not good for the environment or for food prices. One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is ensuring affordable food prices.
“We are not closing down the existing [biodiesel] industry,” she said. “What they produce they can continue to produce.”
Alain Brinon, president of Fediol, an industry body, said: “This represents a U-turn in EU policy-making and a blow to investors in the renewable energy supply chain.”
Existing support for food-based biofuels will end in 2020, with greater support being given to second and third generation fuels produced from agricultural or urban waste.
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
Jeremy Hawksley, OFTEC director general
According to OFTEC, the latest announcement by the government that bioliquids will not be included in the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) means that homes in rural areas will have very little incentive to switch to renewable fuels, so will continue to have very large CO2 footprints.
The U-turn comes after the government accepted B30K – a blend of biofuel and kerosene – as a potential candidate for RHI support in 2010 because it has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 28%. But now ministers say they will only give RHI support to biomass boilers, air or ground source heat pumps and solar thermal technologies.
OFTEC director general Jeremy Hawksley said: ‘”We’re very disappointed at this decision and will continue to argue forcefully during the consultation period for bioliquids to have RHI support. Whilst extensive field trials have demonstrated that B30K works fine in existing boilers, it seems odd that government policy wants to make rural oil users rip out those perfectly good systems when they could just be converted to run on bio-liquid.
“In contrast, recent trials of heat pumps revealed the limitations of the technology in many homes, such as having to install oversized radiators to cope with the lower heat temperatures. The cost of running electricity driven heat pumps is similar to the running costs of an oil boiler, so it’s difficult to see the benefit to the consumer of changing their system. We hope that ministers will consider all these points during the consultation process.”
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
Total energy production – Q2 2012
Oil production fell by 12.2% in the second quarter of 2012, compared with a year earlier. Oil consumption fell by 2.4%.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published the figures in Energy Trends and Quarterly Energy Prices, publications which give statistics on energy production and consumption.
The data showed that the price of heating oils fell by 4.5% between quarter 2 2011 and quarter 2 2012, and by 5.6% between the first and second quarter of 2012.
Natural gas production fell by 13.9%, while total primary energy consumption rose by 6.3%.
The falls in production of oil and natural gas have been attributed to maintenance activity and a slowdown in a number of fields.
Total energy consumption in the second quarter of 2012 was recorded at 31.5 million tonnes, with oil producing 12.2 million tonnes of that figure. Natural gases accounted for 10.2 million tonnes.
Total primary energy consumption rose by 6.3%, but when weather differences between 2012 and 2011 were accounted for, the figure was 0.8%.www.decc.gov.uk
Millers Oils officially opened its state of the art Research and Development (R&D) centre in Brighouse, Yorkshire, last month.
Millers, which has been supplying lubricants that help save energy for 125 years, has invested more than £500,000 in the new facility, providing it with 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 of Millers Oils. “As a relatively small company it is important that we develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges our customers face.”
The company was recognised for its commercial success in 2012 with a Queen’s Award forEnterprise: International Trade.
Through products like the revolutionary Nanodrive oils, efficiency-boosting Solform gel and independently endorsed VSPe fuel additives, the company has built its reputation, while almost trebling its turnover in the last 11 years.
While motorsport users of Nanodrive oils have reported power increases of up to 5.6 percent, the technology is set to reduce fuel bills by up to 2.5 percent for the everyday motorist.
Underlining the value of motorsport, both for development and exposure, Millers Oils has extended its support for Callum Black, British Rally Championship driver.
Paralympian Josh Cassidy reached a speed of 45mph during the race
Simon Storage and its Canadian parent company, Inter Pipeline Fund, were among the proud sponsors of Paralympian, Josh Cassidy, as he stormed to victory in the Tyne Tunnel 2K International (TT2K).
Josh won first place in what has been dubbed ‘the fastest wheelchair race on the planet’ for the fourth time. Clocking an incredible 45mph on the downhill stretch of the race, he finished the 2.3km course in just 4.40.2 minutes.
Cheering him on during the race on behalf of Simon Storage, was Gary Lacy, engineering director, and his wife, Linda. Gary commented: “Simon is delighted to support such an exciting and inspiring event in the region. The TT2K always draws a good crowd. This year’s race, also attended by special guest Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, generated even more interest after the incredibly successful Paralympics in London this summer.”
The event is held at night along a closed section of the road tunnel under the river Tyne, and attracts elite wheelchair athletes from around the globe.
Afterwards, an elated Josh said: “I love the adrenaline-charged super speeds on the Tunnel downhill and the challenge of the gruelling uphill. I’ve been here six times now and there is no race quite like it anywhere in the world. ”
Just two days after winning the 2012 TT2K Josh successfully defended his title in the wheelchair category of the 2012 Great North Run.www.joshcassidy.comwww.SimonStorage.com.
Andrew Gardner, PetroIneos Refining commercial manager
The biggest strengths of Scotland’s Grangemouth refinery are its products, its logistical capability, including excellent road/rail links, and a pipeline from the east coast to the Finnart ocean terminal on the west coast
On a recent visit, Fuel Oil News spoke to Andrew Gardner, commercial manager, PetroIneos Refining and Gordon Grant, CEO, Services & Infrastructure, to find out why INEOS entered refining, what the joint venture with PetroChina brings and to discuss trading conditions.
“When BP sold its olefins and derivatives chemicals business in 2005, the Grangemouth and Lavéra refineries were part of the package,” explained Andrew. “At the time, chemicals had suffered a downturn but refining was doing well. I don’t think INEOS would have chosen to buy a refinery, however, it’s a good natural hedge in terms of profitability – one being a feedstock of the other.”Investment
INEOS has invested in infrastructure such as pipe tracks, jetties and tank farms at the 90-year old refinery. “We value the refinery. In order to maintain the value we invest every year in the plant and infrastructure and the investment produces results,” said Gordon. “However, buying a plant in theUKis like buying a used Morris Minor – it’s still got a good engine, it’s had good drivers but its bodywork is poor and the brakes don’t work! Catch up remediation was required.”
Since mid 2011, PetroChina has had a 50% stake in INEOS Refining’s European business. Although not many people knew of the company, there was wholesale support from customers, the local community, industry and service industries. The joint venture was one of the biggest deals seen in the UK for some time.
Margins in the Republic of Ireland
The market for both distributors and equipment manufacturers in Ireland can, at best, be described as challenging, says marketing consultant John Switzer
“Product and fuel volumes have decreased significantly from just a few, short years ago. Economic confidence remains subdued, with consumers hesitant to spend and borrow. Consequently, it’s no surprise that the new build and new to oil markets have both ground to a halt. For distributors, last winter was the mildest for several years with many tanks unfilled since before last autumn. And on top of all this, renewables are becoming an ever-more significant competitor.
“But, despite the doom and gloom, it’s important to remember that opportunities for growth and success do remain.Margins holding steady
“Across Ireland, we’ve noticed a reduction in the number of new entrants to the distribution industry, during recent years. In some areas, this has also been accompanied by consolidation amongst existing players, to the benefit of remaining suppliers. And whilst product volumes are down, margins are holding steady. At the same time, distributors are re-evaluating their business models; some are moving away from peripheral activities to concentrate solely on fuel distribution, whilst others are expanding into businesses such as boiler servicing and tank installation.