Fuel Oil News December 2019 | Page 3

Making progress 2019 has been a somewhat uncertain year, and with a stalled Brexit there’s still little sign of a more stable and settled period on the horizon for businesses. And now with the turmoil of a general election before Christmas, the best efforts of our industry bodies to get their messages across relating to the vital role oil can play in the decarbonisation process, is in abeyance. In Cape Town last month, there was fighting talk. Speaking during Africa Oil Week, NJ Ayuk, CEO of Centurion Law Group and the executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber said: “Africa’s time to grow and develop is finally here, and it will be funded by its natural resources. While there is demand for hydrocarbons, there will be production; demonising oil and gas companies is not a constructive way forward on energy transition.” In common with many oil suppliers across the UK, Ireland and beyond, Africa is seeing a shift in the supply and demand dynamic. Oil & gas companies are restructuring and diversifying their portfolios to include renewable energy assets with many at the forefront of research & development into new technologies helping to exploit renewable resources. It’s certainly true that ‘no one is too small (or too big) to make a difference’ with many in our industry agreeing that everything does need to change, and that this change has already started; what remains in question is at what speed? In an article covering Africa Oil Week, South Africa’s energy minister, Gwede Mantashe said: “Energy is the catalyst for growth, they even want to tell us to switch off all the coal-generated power stations, until you tell them, you know we can do that, but you’ll breathe fresh air in the darkness.” Wishing all Fuel Oil News’ readers a warm and bright festive season! Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Humber refinery is not only the UK’s sole coking refinery, it is also Europe’s largest producer of anode coke. Fuelled by growing demands of mobile phones and electric cars, these markets are forecast to keep growing well into the 2030s FuelOilNewsCover_1019.indd 1 Contact us 01565 653283 www.fueloilnews.co.uk Managing director Nick Smith News desk / Editor Jane Raphael [email protected] FAME – more awareness of issues; UKIFDA dinner; People Moves; The Fuellers: OnlineFuels in Germany; Acquisitions for Rix Petroleum and Aztec Oils 11 PORTLAND MARKET REPORT ‘Never lose its value....you’re joking aren’t you? Oil is so yesterday.’ 12-14 IN CONVERSATION The Humber Refinery – 50 years and beyond 15-16 IRISH NEWS Malone Oil Products – ready for what the future holds 17 KNOWLEDGE Nurturing talent 18-19, 21 TSA CONFERENCE REPORT 22 ANALYSIS – Fuel fraud – the facts 23 INSIDE OUT – The impact of IMO 2020 24-25 TRADE & TECHNICAL Tank app and guide, pipe repairs, corrosion management Irish News Aine Faherty [email protected] Subscriptions Berni Chetham [email protected] Accounts & copy chasing Berni Chetham [email protected] Annual subscription for the UK & Republic of Ireland is priced at £98 or €113 inc. p&p. Overseas: £115 or €134. Back issues: £8 per copy. Commercial manager Margaret Major [email protected] Founded in 1977 by James Smith Published by Ashley & Dumville Publishing, Caledonian House, Tatton Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6AG Credit card payments 01565 653283 THE 2019 DIRECTORY 01565 653283 4-5, 7, 9 NEWS 26 PRICING PAGE 31/10/2019 10:46 Page 34 for Fuel Refiners, Wholesalers and Blenders The independent voice for the fuel distribution, storage and marketing industry in the UK and Ireland. Annual Industry Directory 2019 M A B A S U P P LY SEE PAGE 18 FOR THE 2019 TSA CONFERENCE REPORT WHO LES ALE FU EL AVAIL AB LE WHENEV ER AND WHER EV ER YO U NEED IT FRO M M ABANAFT Mabanaft_FuelOilNews_Cover2019 AW.indd 1 01/04/2019 13:52:29 www.fueloilnews.co.uk/category/directory Volume 42 No 12 ISSN 1757-1057 Fuel Oil News | December 2019 3