| IP Week will look at latest thinking in industry | 26 January 2013 |
Downstream is one of the official Media Partners for International Petroleum (IP) Week, which runs in London from 18-20 February.
Organised by the Energy Institute, IP Week is one of the largest gatherings on the oil and gas industry calendar. It is the platform for the latest thinking on key subjects within the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, and there are additional dedicated sessions on Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Russia, CIS and the Arctic. Three days of conferencing and networking will feature high-level presentations from senior industry leaders. Delegates can expect unprecedented access to energy professionals from around the world.
More details are available at www.energyinst.org/ip-week Booking details are available from Sheetal Ruparelia, tel +44 (0)20 7467 7116, email sheetal@energyinst.org
| Get your Driver of the Year entries prepared! | 18 January 2013 |
FPS has issued a reminder to distributor members to get their Driver of the Year Award entries in before the deadline, 22 February.
FPS Marketing and Events Manager Vanessa Cook said: “We want to make 2013 the best yet in terms of entries for the Driver of the Year Award so we are calling on all our members to recognise the hard work undertaken by their delivery drivers in 2013. If you believe you have the best tanker driver in the UK or Republic of Ireland, the one who makes sure your customers are happy and goes that ‘extra mile’, then nominate them for the FPS Driver of the Year 2013 Award.”
First prize is UKP1,000 and two runners-up receive UKP250 each. The winners will be announced alongside the other FPS annual Award, Depot of the Year, at the FPS 2013 Awards Dinner on 18 April at Harrogate International Centre.
Nomination forms and further information on Driver of the Year can be found at www.fpsshow.co.uk or by calling the FPS on + 44 (0) 1565 631313.
| Four arrested in fuel fraud operations | 22 November 2012 |
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) report that two men and one woman from Belfast have been arrested and thousands of litres of illicit fuel have been seized during a large scale operation to tackle suspected fuel fraud.
Officers from HMRC, supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland searched three domestic premises in Belfast today (Thursday) where they seized a computer, documents and business records. Two illegal filling stations in Belfast and Lurgan were dismantled and 2200 litres of illicit fuel, forecourt pumps and equipment seized.
John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: "The huckster sites we dismantled today were operating at an unfair advantage over legitimate filling stations by selling illegal fuel at a reduced rate. It is wrong that honest businesses should be undercut by criminals and we are targeting those individuals and groups doing most economic harm in our communities.
"We continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Organised Crime Task Force to stop the damage this criminal activity causes. We would encourage anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to fuel fraud to contact our Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."
The three arrested are currently being questioned by HMRC and investigations are continuing.
In unconnected activity, a Co Tyrone man was arrested following the discovery of a diesel laundering plant in Coalisland and has since been released pending further enquiries. The plant, hidden in a shed at a private address, was capable of producing 1.4 million litres of illicit fuel a year, evading almost UKP950,000 in lost revenue.
Over two tonnes of toxic waste, 3000 litres of illicit fuel, pumps and equipment were removed from the site.
| 'Buy heating oil now' to avoid freeze chaos, warns FPS | 19 November 2012 |
Oil distribution industry trade association FPS is urging homeowners and businesses who use oil for heating to prepare for winter now as forecasters have warned that a 'big freeze' could begin by early December - and we could faace a very cold winters.
The Met Office has briefed the Government to prepare for a colder than average winter with temperatures expected to plummet at the end of November, at which time ice and frost are likely to cause transport problems and there will be a significant risk of heavy snow.
Oil Distributors across the country are urging their customers to check their oil levels and oil tanks and not to be caught out by the bad weather that is forecast.
Chief Executive of the FPS, Mark Askew comments: "We launched a buy oil early campaign in September in association with the Government and Consumer agencies, ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), Citizens Advice Bureau and Consumer Focus but many people still haven’t heeded our advice. We are urging people not to leave it to the last minute when the bad weather has taken hold and tanker drivers struggle to get through on roads covered in snow or ice.
"Our members remind customers that they should order early, but people have got into a pattern of ordering the minimum quantity. Customers have had a trend of ordering 500 litres and then run out in the middle of the worst weather, when tanker drivers just can’t get to them. We are trying to educate people to think ahead and be prepared.
"In winter, the UK can also experience shortages of heating oil at terminals. Demand is obviously governed by the weather and a prolonged cold snap, such as the Met Office is forecasting, means that the terminals are unable to provide product quickly enough and consumers can run out whilst waiting for deliveries as distributors have to go further afield to get supplies."
| Adler & Allan win ABP port contract | 21 September 2012 |
Adler and Allan, the environmental response group, has been awarded a three-year Tier 2 marine pollution response contract for Associated British Ports (ABP), Britain’s largest and leading port operator.
The three-year contract award reinforces A&A 's position as the premier spill response company in the UK.
Known for its leading role in making safe and clearing the Buncefield explosion site, Adler and Allan brings a wealth of spill response, environmental awareness and health & safety knowledge to the contract.
The contract is for tier 2 pollution response and hazardous and noxious substance cover on a rapid mobilisation 24 /7, 365 days /year basis. Adler and Allan will also run exercises for ABP as part of its training capability.
ABP owns and operates 21 ports in England, Scotland, and Wales, managing around a quarter of the UK 's sea-borne trade. The company's activities cover transport, haulage and terminal operations, ship's agency, dredging and marine consultancy.
ABP 's area of jurisdiction includes two of Britain’s biggest ports - Immingham and Southampton - and a geographical spread from Ayr on the west coast of Scotland to South Wales and Plymouth in Devon. 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.
| GB Oils acquires Tincknell Oils | 14 September 2012 |
GB Oils has acquired Tincknell Lubricants from Tincknell Fuels Ltd. Tincknell Fuels Ltd will continue to operate separately.
Tincknell Lubricants will trade as Emo Oil, an authorised Shell lubricants distributor, supplying a wide range of products to commercial, agricultural and domestic customers across the South West of England encompassing Gloucester, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.
As part of the acquisition, seven former employees of Tincknell Lubricants will join the Emo Lubricants Division, all to be based on the Dawlish Road in Exeter. Kevin Knight and Jamie Starr will be appointed to business development managers, Rebekah Venton to account manager, Andy Tout to depot supervisor, Chris Sampson to yardman and Kevin McCoy and Chris Allen will be employed as drivers.
Ross Buckland, Head of Lubricants, commented: “This acquisition will further strengthen our position in the South West of England; increasing our storage and distribution infrastructure and enhancing our ability to attract and serve existing and new customers throughout the market.”
| Samuel Cooke lubricants lives on thanks to Crown | 6 August 2012 |
Crown Oil UK acquired key assets of lubricants distributor Samuel Cooke and Co. for an undisclosed amount.
The distributor’s assets were earmarked for sale after going into administration July 23.
Samuel Cooke distributed lubricants from three locations in the United Kingdom: Padiham, Barnsley and Stanlow. “We’ve only taken over one – that's the Padiham location,” Matt Greensmith, managing director of Bury-based Crown Group, told Lube Report, adding that a small number of Samuel Cooke employees joined Crown Oil.
The Samuel Cooke name dates back to 1845. “Samuel Cooke has got a great name locally, so we needed to keep that brand going,” he said. Crown formed a new subsidiary called Cooke Fuels and Lubricants Ltd.
Samuel Cooke distributed “industrial cutting fluids, engine oils, hydraulic oils, pretty much everything,” Greensmith said, adding that Crown hopes to eventually expand the lubricants offerings under the Samuel Cooke brand.
Following the merger into Crown Oil, existing Samuel Cooke customers will have access to a wider range for specialty lubricants. Among new services available to Samuel Cooke customers, Crown Oil said it will offer technical services to blend products to meet specific client needs.
Crown Oil blends its own brand lubricants, and also distributes the Q8Oils brand, Greensmith said. Kuwait Petroleum International Lubricants (UK) Ltd. operates under the Q8Oils brand.
| Fuel wholesaler in UK management restructuring | 31 July 2012 |
A leading importer and fuel wholesaler, Mabanaft is restructuring its UK management. With immediate effect, Raphael Huttmann becomes Managing Director following four years of substantial business growth under Mark Rolph, who becomes Director Public Affairs UK.
Mabanaft says the moves are aimed at providing increased support for the continued development of the company’s UK business interests.
A statement says the company will continue to focus on traditional trading in physical petroleum products. Development will be achieved through specific attention to the supply chain and biofuels blending.
Raphael is currently a board member of Mabanaft Limited and a former Financial Director of Mabanaft Limited. He is relocating to the UK with his family to take up his new position. He is a long-standing employee within both Mabanaft and group holding company Marquard & Bahls AG.
Raphael Huttmann says: "I am delighted to be returning to the United Kingdom to lead Mabanaft Limited and look forward to carrying on the excellent work has been done to date by the Mabanaft team. My remit will be, in spite of the challenging market conditions, to focus on the supply chain and the market opportunities that are continually presenting themselves to us now and in coming years. "
In his new role Mark Rolph will be lobbing government on fuels policies and infrastructure and on bio fuels. He says: "It has been an exciting and fulfilling period over the last four years and I could not have managed this without the dedicated support of my team. I am now looking forward to my new role working for Marquard & Bahls. "
Mark has achieved industry confidence and recognition for the company through the creation of a focussed management team that has delivered a reliability and surety of supply, storage, sales and administration. Mark will remain Chairman of Downstream Fuels Association, where he works to represent the interests of the independent fuel wholesalers and leading retailers.
| Midlands Fuel Oils MD is new FPS President | 19 June 2012 |
Steve Davis, the MD of Midlands Fuel Oils is the 2012 President of oil distribution trade association FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers).
Steve has for the past 5 years been the FPS Chairman and Regional Representative for the Midlands and will take over Presidency of the FPS from David Todd of Scottish company Gleaner Oils.
Steve started Midland Fuel Oils 25 years ago to sit alongside the haulage business he owned. The company operates from premises on the border of South Birmingham and Solihull and serves customers within a 30 mile radius covering the West Midlands and including Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
| ALL SET FOR BUMPER FPS EXPO 2012 | 17 April 2012 |
All stand space at FPS EXPO 2012 sold out some weeks ago and bumper visitors numbers are likely at the industry event at the Harrogate International Centre on 18 and 19 April.
With many first-time exhibitors lining up alongside long-established names, there is plenty for oil distribution industry representatives to look at.
In addition, a series of free workshops will examine issues such as tank certification, legal obligations after a spill and the methodology of pricing product.
| Renewable energy interest in FPS EXPO 2012 | 26 January 2012 |
The organisers of FPS EXPO, the oil distribution industry exhibition, are reporting a strong level of inquiries regarding the renewable energy sector.
FPS Marketing and Events Manager Vanessa Cook comments: "More of our members are looking at what alternative energy is available to offer their customers most of whom are off-gas customers and we are finding that FPS EXPO is becoming the stage for many renewable energy suppliers, associated component manufacturers and equipment suppliers to meet a new market of customers."
"There is a real buzz about the show already and with the added interest from the renewable energy sector it is going to make for a very exciting show this year."
FPS EXPO is staged on 18 and 19 April 2012 at Harrogate International Centre. The organisers have sold 89% of available space. Anyone requiring information on exhibiting at this industry-led event or attending the FPS EXPO 2012, Dinner and Golf Day, can contact Vanessa Cook on +44 (0) 1565 631313 or e-mail vc@fpsonline.co.uk or visit the exhibition website www.fpsshow.co.uk
| FPS and Petroplus | 25 January 2012 |
Commenting on the news that Coryton refiner Petroplus has filed for insolvency, Mark Askew Chief Executive of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, which represents the majority of oil distribution companies in Britain, said:
"The news is a disaster both for the distributors in the area, and by extension their customers. We are pleased that the administrators PwC have said that 'their immediate priority is to continue to operate the Coryton refinery and the Teesside storage business without disruption while the financial position is clarified and restructuring options are explored.' Our members who used Coryton are now putting alternative options in place whilst the situation is clarified by the administrators to use alternative terminals to collect fuel. Those FPS members who are affected are doing their utmost to help ensure customers are not affected but there is a potential that this situation will put pressure on other terminals including an extension in loading times and hence delivery times."
The FPS and its members who are affected in the area surrounding Coryton are monitoring the situation and the FPS would if deemed necessary call on the Government to intervene in an attempt to keep this strategic facility open and viable in order to secure both local jobs and prevent a significant impact on the local economy.
 |
Sign up for live RSS updates Click here >> |
 |
Some of the documents on this site require Adobe Reader, download here. |
