Confidence Group Launches ‘GoGas Elite’, Makes Composite LPG Cylinders Available in India
Confidence Petroleum Limited, India’s largest LPG cylinder manufacturer and one of the largest LPG retailers, has launched the Composite Cylinders in India under the brand ‘GoGas Elite’. The company will market and distribute these composite cylinders through its subsidiary, Confidence Futuristic Energetech Limited. The ‘GoGas Elite’ composite cylinders, ideal for the domestic and commercial use, weigh about 50% lesser than conventional steel cylinders. These are blast-proof and hence, much safer. Moreover, the advanced cylinders enable consumers monitor the gas level at any given point of time, thereby helping them track consumption and replace the cylinders on time, resulting in zero wastage. Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Vimal Parwal, President, Confidence Group said, “Majority of LPG consumers in India are not aware of the weight of LPG gas they get in a cylinder nor do they know how much LPG is left in the cylinder when they think the gas is over. Introduction of composite gas cylinders in Indian market by Confidence Group is a revolutionary step which is bound to transform Indian kitchens in the years to come. Firstly, these composite gas cylinders are extremely light in weight. They can be easily picked up even by women and children. Secondly these cylinders have transparent body due to which the amount of gas inside the cylinders can always be seen. This ensures that right quantity of gas is supplied and the amount of gas available in the cylinder can be easily checked. Hence, from now on there is no more worry of less gas being supplied or even of gas theft. Third speciality is that these cylinders are ‘Blast proof’ so there is no danger of loss of life and property thus making them extremely safe to use.” “GoGas Elite has brought the latest world-class technology in India for the first time. These cylinders have been certified safe by PESO the explosives department of the government of India. 700 million people use LPG and given the advantages of composite cylinders, we expect most of the people eventually switching to using them. Composite cylinders are extremely popular in America, Japan, Australia and many European countries and have been in use for many years now. We plan to have presence in all major cities in India within the next three months,” added Mr. Rajesh Nair, CGM, Confidence Group. The ‘GoGas Elite’ composite cylinders are available in varying sizes of 2 kgs., 5 kgs., 10 kgs. and 20 kgs. These are available through the company’s dealer and distributor network across the city. These cylinders are ideal for households as well as the commercial establishments in HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes) industry. Michael Schofield Authentic Jersey
Air Products Unveils World-Scale Kochi Industrial Gas Complex
Air Products today announced it has inaugurated its new world-scale industrial gas complex within the Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP) of the BPCL Kochi Refinery located in Kochi, India. Air Products’ new facility was inaugurated by Dr. K.T. Jaleel, Minister for Local Self-Governments, Kerala, in the presence of Mr. P. Thilothaman, Minister for Food & Civil Supplies, Kerala, Dr. Samir J. Serhan, executive vice president for Air Products, Mr. Richard Boocock, president, Industrial Gases – Middle East, India, Egypt and Turkey for Air Products, and other dignitaries and guests. Air Products has invested several hundred million dollars for the build-own-operate (BOO) project, the largest of its kind in India in terms of investment. Air Products’ Kochi Industrial Gas Complex, which generates hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and steam, is an invaluable constituent of BPCL’s IREP to manufacture auto-fuels complying with Euro-IV/Euro-V specifications. The industrial gases manufactured at the complex also enable BPCL to increase refining capacity by nearly two-thirds, from 190,000 to 310,000 barrels per day, while producing cleaner fuels through upgraded fuel specification. The industrial gas complex provides jobs to around 50 employees. “Air Products is privileged to serve BPCL’s expansion needs at Kochi to provide significantly more high quality, cleaner-burning fuels,” said Serhan. “I am very proud of the team for their excellent work on this project, which achieved a flawless start-up and is now reliably supplying industrial gases to the BPCL refinery. This world-class facility represents true project execution excellence and took more than 10 million man-hours to build without any safety incidents.” An Air Products team located across four countries, including India, the U.K., the Netherlands, and the U.S., worked on the Kochi project, built on more than 15 acres of land leased from BPCL. “As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, we are very proud to invest in India and want to continue growing our presence and strong relationships in the region as the safest and most innovative industrial gas company,” said Boocock. “The Kochi Industrial Gas Complex houses one of the most efficient and flexible HyCO (hydrogen/carbon monoxide) plants in Air Products’ global plant fleet. This is a technologically-advanced plant, built using Air Products’ proprietary technology, incorporating state-of-the-art safety features which also deliver reliability and environmental performance.” A unique highlight of the plant is that the gas turbine is integrated into the design of the twin steam methane reformers. These are the first-ever twin steam methane reformers designed and built by Air Products with a combined capacity of 16.4 tonnes per hour of hydrogen production. “We are committed to continuing investing in Kochi as BPCL and the downstream petrochemical industry grows,” said Hui Hong Thng, general manager – Air Products Kochi. “We understand that safe, reliable and cost-effective industrial gases are a critical enabler of local manufacturing investment, and we see our Kochi site as a national model for other states.” “The commissioning of the IREP in 2017 has made BPCL Kochi Refinery the largest Public Sector refinery in the country and enabled it to manufacture auto-fuels complying with the required Bharat Stage IV (Euro IV) specifications and a greater depth of conversion. We are happy to partner with leading global players such as Air Products to achieve this target,” said Mr. R. Ramachandran, director, Refineries at BPCL. “IREP is one of the largest investments Kerala has ever witnessed, targeted at enhancing the refining capacity of Kochi refinery at a cost of Rs.165 billion. With the increased capacity of 15.5 million tons, the Kochi Refinery will transform itself into a most modern industrial complex having global standards. Commissioning of the state-of-the-art hydrogen generation unit by Air Products is a significant milestone towards this,” said Mr. Prasad K. Panicker, executive director, BPCL Kochi Refinery. BPCL and Air Products are looking forward to the commissioning of a second project at Kochi, as the two companies signed a long-term agreement in January 2018 to build, own and operate a new syngas production facility. The syngas facility will be located alongside the current BOO project and will supply BPCL’s new Propylene Derivates Petrochemical Project (PDPP). The unit will employ Air Products’ proprietary cryogenic gas separation technologies to produce syngas. The PDPP enables BPCL to enter the Indian petrochemical market and enhance the value obtained from its refining operations. The Kochi Industrial Gas Complex was executed with Air Products’ long-term alliance partner, TechnipFMC, a global leader in subsea, onshore/offshore, and surface projects for the energy industry. For more than 25 years, the alliance has provided the worldwide refining industry with competitive technology and world-class safety. The alliance is responsible for over 35 hydrogen production plants located in 11 countries around the world and produces well over two billion standard cubic meters of hydrogen per day for clean fuels production. TechnipFMC provides the design and construction expertise for steam reformers, while Air Products provides the gas separation technology. Hydrogen is widely used in petroleum refining processes to remove impurities found in crude oil such as sulfur, olefins, and aromatics to meet product fuels specifications. Removing these components allows gasoline and diesel to burn cleaner and thus makes hydrogen a critical component in the production of cleaner fuels needed by modern, efficient internal combustion engines. Brian O’Neill Jersey
Analysis: India’s ONGC picks right time to offer Brazilian crude to Asia
India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd could not have picked a better time to offer multi-month supply of Brazilian Ostra crude oil to the Asian market as Australia was set to halt production and exports of its heavy sweet crude grades during the second-half of this year. The Indian upstream company’s subsidiary ONGC Campos Ltda., issued a tender earlier this month, offering heavy sweet Ostra crude for loading directly from Espirito Santo FPSO in Brazil’s Campos Basin between June 1 and November 30, the official tender notice showed. The tender notice indicated that the quantity of crude offered would be OCL’s entire Ostra crude oil entitlement over the period of contract. The sell tender was issued at a right time as many regional refiners that often require a regular dose of heavy sweet crude oil, have been fretting about the potential shortage of Australian supplies during the latter half of this year, market participants said. A slew of upcoming maintenance at Australia’s Exmouth sub-basin oil fields would wipe out most of heavy sweet Enfield, Vincent and Pyrenees crude supplies for the next couple of quarters, but ONGC’s offer of fuel oil-rich Brazilian grade may help fill that supply gap, Asian trade sources said. “Australian heavy grades are niche items that often feed big refiners in China, India, South Korea and even the US west coast … Ostra should draw plenty of Asian interest [because heavy] Australian grades will be missing [during the second half of 2018],” a South Asian crude oil trader said. The tender closes Tuesday, 9:30 am India Standard Time (0400 GMT), with validity until Thursday, 8 pm IST (1430 GMT). The Espirito Santo FPSO had 39,311 b/d of oil production from 20 wells in March, which included the grades Argonauta and Ostra, Brazil’s Agencia Nacional do Petroleo, Gas Natural e Biocombustiveis (ANP) said. AUSTRALIAN SUPPLY GAP At least two floating production, storage and offloading vessels that contribute heavily to the production of heavy sweet crude oil from Australia are expected to undergo maintenance in the coming months. The production of Pyrenees crude oil offshore Western Australia is set to be suspended for a number of months after July, with the FPSO Pyrenees Venture at the grade to undergo maintenance at a dry-dock, industry sources with knowledge of the matter had said. The grade typically sees one 500,000-barrel cargo load each month. Previously, Australia’s Woodside Petroleum had also said that it planned to suspend shipment of heavy sweet Vincent crude for around 12 months because of modification works on the Ngujima-Yin FPSO. Following the loading of a cargo in July, the FPSO will sail to a dry-dock for maintenance, a market source said. Ostra is a heavy sweet crude produced in Brazil’s offshore Campos Basin. A January 2015 assay showed the crude having 17.97 API and 0.38% sulfur. Australia’s Vincent is also a heavy sweet crude with a gravity of around 17.4 API and sulfur content of 0.37%. Pyrenees has a gravity of 19.3 API with 0.19% sulfur, the latest assay reports showed. The price differentials for Vincent and Pyrenees have been falling sharply in recent weeks as buyers shied away from the heavy sweet Australian crude complex ahead of the H2 maintenance. Vincent was assessed at a discount of $1.85/b to Dated Brent last Friday, the lowest differential since October 19, 2015, when it stood at minus $1.90/b to Dated Brent, Platts data showed. OSTRA MAY BE COSTLY Not all Asian refiners may consider Ostra as a suitable substitute to fill the Australian supply gap as quality differences still remain, market sources said. The longer delivery distance may also push the final cost significantly higher, they added. “Say if the outlet is China … freight costs would be at least two times higher from Brazil [compared to cargoes departing from northwest of Australia],” a shipping broker based in Singapore said. One regional crude trader said that with the cargo size of the crude expected to total about 750,000 barrels a month, ONGC’s Ostra crude cargoes could end up in the hands of a buyer in Europe or the Americas. “There is no economic [benefit] for Asian buyers [to buy this],” a north Asian crude trader said. “[Also in terms of quality] it is similar to [Indonesia’s] Duri [crude].” “Both have high acid [content] so people cannot pay high [cash differentials] for this,” the trader added. Peter Forsberg Womens Jersey
First crude oil cargo from Abu Dhabi departs for Mangalore’s strategic oil reserve
The first consignment of 2 million barrels of crude oil from the UAE for India’s strategic petroleum reserve at Mangalore is en-route to India and will help it deal with supply side disruptions, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan has said. The cargo is the first under an agreement between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company(ADNOC) and the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL), an Indian government-owned company mandated to store crude oil for strategic needs. The loading of approximately 2 million barrels of ADNOC crude oil was witnessed by Pradhan and Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said: “The UAE is the first country to invest in India’s Strategic Reserves Programme. This important partnership will further strengthen the close energy cooperation that exists between India and the UAE and builds on the historic acquisition of a stake in the Lower Zakum offshore concession by Indian companies.” In February, ONGC Videsh Ltd and its partners had acquired a 10 per cent in the Lower Zakum offshore oilfield in Abu Dhabi for USD 600 million. “The strategic reserve will provide a boost to India’s energy security and help us deal with supply side disruptions. While part of the stored oil will be used for commercial purposes by ADNOC, the major part will be purely for strategic purposes.” Al Jaber said that the strategic reserve project represents an important new energy partnership with India that leverages the UAE and ADNOC’s expertise and oil resources. “With this partnership, new market opportunities will open up for ADNOC, as we not only help to ensure the energy security of the UAE’s largest trading partner, but also gain greater access to one of the fastest-growing markets for high-quality crude oil. Our increased presence in India, will also catalyse demand for our own refined and petrochemical products,” he said. Indian energy demand is forecast by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to grow by more than any other country in the period to 2040, propelled by an economy that will grow to more than five-times its current size and by population growth that will make it the world’s most populous country. India’s energy consumption is expected to more than double by 2040, accounting for 25 per cent of the rise in global energy, and the largest absolute growth in oil consumption. India is 82 per cent dependent on imports to meet its crude oil needs, eight per cent of which is supplied by the UAE. Tony Perez Womens Jersey
IOC, BPCL seek LNG cargoes for June delivery – sources
Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and Indian Oil Corp are seeking a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo each for delivery in June, two industry sources said on Tuesday. BPCL is seeking a LNG cargo for delivery on June 22 in a tender that closes on May 16 and is valid until May 18. IOC is seeking a cargo for delivery on June 6 in a tender that closes on May 16 and will remain valid until May 17. IOC had earlier sought a cargo for a similar delivery period but re-issued the tender, one of the sources said. Otis Sistrunk Womens Jersey
Russia’s Sakhalin II LNG plant sells late June cargo, likely to Gazprom-trade.
Russia’s Sakhalin II liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant sold a cargo loading on June 27 at a price estimated in the low-to-mid $8 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) range, traders said. The tender closed on May 11. Gazprom’s contract to supply India’s state-owned Gail with 0.5 million tons, or eight cargoes, of LNG in 2018/2019 starts from May. Kevin Shattenkirk Jersey
Gujarat government will stop selling kerosene through Public Distribution System by year-end
The Gujarat government will gradually stop selling kerosene at subsidised rates through the public distribution system (PDS) by the end of this year. In Gujarat, families with above the poverty line (APL) ration card receive kerosene from fair price shops, but now they will have to switch over to LPG or PNG for cooking. On May 10, the state government’s food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department issued a resolution accordingly. The government resolution (GR) mentioned that APL ration card holders residing in eight municipal corporations would have to get gas connection at their own expense by August 31, whereas those residing in other areas would have to get gas connection by November 30. Accordingly, as per the GR, APL ration card holders in the eight cities would not get kerosene at subsidised rates from fair price shops September 1, and those living elsewhere would not get kerosene (from fair price shops) from December 1. The GR also mentioned that the fuel controller officer in Ahmedabad and other district civil supplies officers will have to send notices to all the beneficiaries at their residential addresses by May end, informing about the decision. The officials will also have to instruct the beneficiaries that they will have to make arrangements to get gas connection on time. The resolution reads as: “As many as 1.260 million gas connections have been given to beneficiaries under the Pradhanmantri Ujjvala Yojana. Now, all the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families having ration cards shall get gas connection at subsidised rates under the state government’s LPG-LNG scheme. The use of kerosene has been decreasing in the state gradually and the government aims to make clean fuel available to citizens through LPG and PNG connections. Citizens should decrease their use of kerosene further more and all the APL ration card holders will have to voluntarily switch over to use LPG or PNG from kerosene for cooking purpose.” The Gujarat government launched the LPG and PNG connection subsidy scheme for AAY and BPL families of the state on Gujarat Foundation Day on May 1 this year. Under the scheme, the Gujarat government will pay a one-time subsidy of Rs 1,600 to each beneficiary family for deposits payable for LPG and PNG gas connections. Marty Mcsorley Authentic Jersey
India okays MoU to tackle oil spills
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) for co-operation on the response to oil and chemical pollution in the South Asian seas in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation between India and other maritime nations comprising the South Asian seas region namely Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for protection and preservation of the marine environment in the region. A high-level delegation led by DG Rajendra Singh, Director General Indian Coast Guard on official visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka has handed over the instrument of consent by the Government of India to the Dr Muhammad Khurshid, Director General, SACEP Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 12 in presence of Indian High Commission, Colombo staff and other dignitaries. Indian Coast Guard on behalf of the centre will be responsible for cooperation and respond to all incidents of oil and chemical pollution in South Asian Seas Region as and when assistance is requested by the member state during a spill. With a view to promote and support protection, management and enhancement of the environment in the South Asian region, the Governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka established the SACEP in 1982 as an inter-governmental organisation, with its headquarter in Colombo. The SACEP jointly with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) developed a “Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan” in 1989 to facilitate international co-operation and mutual assistance in preparing for and responding to a major oil pollution incident in the seas around the Maritime States of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Alfred Morris Jersey
Iran to award Farzad B to domestic companies if India withdraws
The managing director of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) said Farzad B gas field (in the Persian Gulf) development project will be awarded to Iranian contractors if India pulls back from the negotiations, ILNA reported on Saturday. Speaking about the probable effects of Trump’s decision to leave the nuclear deal on India’s collaboration in Farzad B development project, Mohammad Meshkinfam said, “I don’t think that the U.S.’s decision on leaving the nuclear deal will affect the Indian side.” “Currently, we don’t know for sure what their [the Indian side] decision will be, however we are ready to work with them,” the official added. Meshkinfam further noted that even if India decides to withdraw from the project, since Farzad B field does not need pressure boosting, the development project wouldn’t be complicated and the work could be done by capable domestic companies. Asked about the South Pars Oil Layer, the official said, “The Oil Layer development project is a little more complicated and for that our focus is more on foreign contractors.” “Of course, we are already producing oil in this field, but we need to cooperate with a foreign company to maintain and increase the production level”, he added. Xavier Grimble Authentic Jersey
Abu Dhabi oil giant ADNOC to pick up stake in Ratnagiri refinery project
UAE Minister and ADNOC Group CEO Sultan Al Jaber, Aramco CEO Amin H Nasser and Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will be present at the agreement signing in UAE tomorrow.NEW DELHI: After Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will pick up stake in the planned USD 44-billion refinery-cum-petrochemical project in Maharashtra. An initial agreement for ADNOC taking stake is slated to be signed in UAE tomorrow, official sources said. Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, had last month signed an agreement to take up 50 per cent stake in the Ratnagiri refinery project. Aramco had, at the agreement signing event, stated that it will at a later date dilute some of its 50 per cent equity stake in the 60 million tonne-a-year refinery project in favour of another strategic investor. Now, the Saudi national oil company is diluting some of that stake to ADNOC, they said. UAE Minister and ADNOC Group CEO Sultan Al Jaber, Aramco CEO Amin H Nasser and Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will be present at the agreement signing in UAE tomorrow. As per the April agreement, Aramco is to supply half of the crude oil required for processing at the refinery that will be commissioned by 2025. State-owned refiners Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) will own the remaining 50 per cent stake. Like other major producers, Aramco and ADNOC are looking to lock in customers in the world’s third-largest oil consumer through the investment. Kuwait too is looking to invest in projects in return for getting an assured offtake of their crude oil. Last year, Saudi Arabia invested in refinery projects in Indonesia and Malaysia that came with long-term crude oil supply deals. Saudi Arabia was the biggest oil supplier to India till 2016-17, but slipped behind Iraq last fiscal. It had supplied 39.5 million tonnes of crude oil to India in 2016-17, ahead of 37.5 million tonnes by Iraq. But, in the first 11 months of 2017-18 fiscal, Saudi supplies at 33.9 million tonnes, lagged behind Iraqi exports of 42.4 million tonnes to India. UAE supplies a small quantity of oil to India. Aramco is also keen on venturing into fuel retailing in India. India has a refining capacity of 232.066 million tonnes, which exceeded the demand of 194.2 million tonnes in 2016-17 fiscal. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this demand is expected to reach 458 million tonnes by 2040. IOC has 11 refineries with a total capacity of 81.2 MT, while BPCL has four refineries with a total capacity of 33.4 MT. HPCL has three refineries with a total capacity of 24.8 MT. Sam Bennett Authentic Jersey