Fuel Oil News January 2018 | Page 7

News Retirement party DURING HIS 20 YEARS WITH UKPIA, CHRIS HUNT, WHO RETIRED AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, OVERSAW THE CO-ORDINATION OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE POST THE BUNCEFIELD EXPLOSION IN 2005, AND HEADED THE COMMITMENT TO PROCESS SAFETY IN 2008 T he aforementioned Commitment to Process Safety recognised that a robust process safety performance is key to protecting people and the environment, and that a spirit of co-operation amongst UKPIA member companies is pivotal in the pursuit of process safety excellence. Starting his working life as an electrical engineer, Chris later joined Elf Oil UK in 1989, becoming head of its retail division. Chris has always been strongly committed to the improvement of skills and competency within industry in the UK, for school leavers, graduates and workplace development, with a specific focus on the downstream oil industry. He strongly advocated and actively contributed to the establishment of a sector skills council for science-based industries. Founded in 2002/03, Chris was on the Cogent board of directors and a board member of the National Skills Academy for process industries until 2014. Chris has also been a leading advocate of measures to establish an independent agency to manage the UK’s strategic oil stocking obligations, and has contributed to a number of studies on the future shape of the industry and the future energy security needs of the UK. Commenting on the government’s white paper for a new Industrial Strategy for the UK just before his retirement, Chris reminded the government that: At a well-attended event Chris was presented with an array of presents by UKPIA’s communications director, Nunzia Florio “The downstream oil sector plays a pivotal role in powering mobility, supports over 88,000 jobs across the country, invests billions into the UK economy each year and is one of the most active industries in product and process innovations.” As a regular contributor to Fuel Oil News, best wishes are sent for a long and happy retirement with congratulations to Chris and wife Sue on their 47th wedding anniversary this month. Supply of Shell GTL fuel extended CERTAS ENERGY HAS EXTENDED THE SUPPLY OF SHELL GTL FUEL TO ITS HORSHAM DEPOT, PROVIDING CUSTOMERS ACROSS SUSSEX WITH ACCESS TO A CLEANER BURNING ALTERNATIVE TO DIESEL C ertas Energy, which already supplies Shell GTL fuel from depots at Eastham, Ashford and the recently opened Peel Ports bunker site in Liverpool, has now added its Horsham depot. Offering a cleaner burning alternative to diesel, Certas Energy has been pioneering the use of Shell GTL fuel in the UK as part of a strategic agreement with Shell since 2016. So far, Certas Energy has sold millions of litres of the fuel in the UK to customers including construction, haulage, local councils and utilities businesses as well as high profile brands such as the Brakes Group. “Following the positive responses which we’ve had from customers using Shell GTL fuel so far, we’re delighted to be extending our national network,” said Richard Billington, regional director for the south east. “We have been working with the government and local councils to help raise awareness of the benefits of alternative fuels, and we’ll continue to support businesses to reduce their emissions for a cleaner, safer and healthier future for us all.” In November, Fuel Oil News attended Certas Energy’s inaugural Clean Air Conference, which not only highlighted concerns around levels of air pollution in the south east but also delivered practical advice on how businesses can help reduce emissions by making smarter fuel choices. A full report will be published shortly. Over 50 delegates attended Certas Energy’s inaugural Clean Air Conference which took place at the Port Lympne Hotel in Kent Fuel Oil News | January 2018 7