New APEA Members

arson threats at the garage on August 11 last year. Crown Prosecutor Kerry Barker said Easterbrook embarked on his “wildly reckless” behaviour because he had cut his finger on a bottle of whisky he bought earlier that night from the petrol station. Although attendant Jude Amalathas gave him a plaster for the bleeding finger, he refused to replace the bottle of alcohol, enraging Easterbrook.

He took bags of coal and wood from the forecourt display, piled them up around the fuel pump and threatened to start a “big fire”. Mr Barker told the court it was at 3.20am when Easterbrook went to the garage and bought a small bottle of whisky from Mr Amalathus. Mr Barker said Easterbrook was angry and asked for a replacement bottle, but Mr Amalathas refused. Mr Barker said: “Mr Amalathus judged him to be drunk and declined to serve him. The defendant then made threats and said he would call the police. “Easterbrook picked up four bags of coal from the display outside the kiosk and took them to the pumps. He laid them on the floor around a pump. He again asked Mr Amalathas for whisky and was again refused. He struck the window of the kiosk, cracking it. “Mr Amalathas called the police. The defendant went back to building a bonfire by picking up two bags of wood and putting them on the coal by the pump. “He then took the hose from the pump and dribbled petrol over it. “Then he sat on the floor, took out his cigarette lighter and lit it, producing a large flame. He looked at Mr Amalathas and said ‘big fire’.”

The prosecutor said Easterbrook then lit a cigarette and when police arrived he said: “I’ll blow this place up”. Mr Barker told the court: “Police witnessed Easterbrook with a lit cigarette in one hand, waving it around.” After being arrested, Easterbrook admitted drinking three quarters of a bottle of vodka and a two-litre bottle of cider, Mr Barker said.

The defendant had a long criminal record, including previous court appearances for criminal damage and threatening to destroy property. Nadeem Aullybocus, defending, said Easterbrook had a troubled past, was put into care aged 12 and had developed an alcohol problem by 13. He added: “He was upset to be refused alcohol – and when he is upset and people start on him he loses control.” Judge Martin Picton told Easterbrook his actions were “terrifying” for the attendant.

He said: “You created the risk of massive damage being caused had you set fire to one or more of the fuel pumps – and even potentially significant loss of life. “You were drunk but you were clearly capable of carrying out your actions, stacking up the bags around the fuel pump and dribbling petrol on to them. I am satisfied you were igniting your lighter as a potent threat. It was a wildly reckless action on your part which could have caused terrible harm.”

UK, Hampshire. Fire doused by firefighters at EXXON Fawley, oil refinery

A fire was doused after erupting at part of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s Fawley refinery in southern England. The blaze, which began at 3.20 p.m. U.K. time, was extinguished by 3.55 p.m. and the oil refinery is now working normally, according to a spokesman for the plant. “The fire was brought under control and put out very quickly,” the spokesman said. “There were no injuries.” The refinery is the largest in the U.K., capable of processing 316,000 barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Hampshire Chronicle reported that the fire began in a feed drum at the refinery.

UK, London. Shell to sell up 9000 petrol stations as moves closer to takeover deal with Arrow Energy

Royal Dutch Shell will sell full or part-stakes in as many as 9000 petrol stations worldwide and cut a further 1000 jobs as it intensifies its global

cost-cutting. The announcement came as Shell appeared to be edging closer to a deal with Arrow Energy to bolster the group's position in Australia's fast-growing industry supplying coal-seam gas to China and South-East Asia. Peter Voser, the chief executive, said that Shell intends to leave about 30 of the 90 countries in which it operates petrol stations. The move, which is already under way, is part of a focus on more profitable markets and on exploration and production. "We are leaving retail markets where we have low volumes," Mr Voser told Shell's annual strategy briefing in London. These would include Greece, Sweden, Vietnam and New Zealand. Globally, Shell holds interests in about 45,000 petrol stations, of which just under 30,000 are operated directly by the company. It indicated that by 2012 it would sell about 2000 sites outright and cut the number that it operated directly by almost 7000. Sites no longer operated directly would follow a model that Shell has pioneered in America, where its retail sites retain the Shell brand and are supplied wholesale by the company but are operated by third parties. Shell is selling fuel stations in Spain and Portugal. In France, it will leave many of its smaller, regional stations but plans to retain its more profitable, highvolume motorway network. Britain, where Shell operates about 900 fuel stations and is the biggest player by volume in the retail market, is not expected to bear the brunt of the sales. Richard Savage, of Mirabaud Securities, said that the move reflected an effort "to release capital to spend more on production". Shell employed about 102,000 people before Mr Voser revealed the first phase of his re-organisation last July. He called for "more focus and more urgency", adding that most of the cuts would be in refining and marketing -- which is struggling in the face of the worst industry downturn in 20 years -- and in middle management. "Thecompany had become too complicated and

20 APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

slower to respond than we'd like, so we are sharpening up," he said. The chief executive's remarks came as Arrow Energy said that it was in "active discussions" with Shell and PetroChina over their joint $US3 billion ($3.3bn) takeover offer Shell, which confirmed the talks but declined to comment, also announced positive news on the discovery of new supplies of oil and gas.

UK, Essex. Arson suspect captured on CCTV camera at tanker yard

CCTV footage of a suspected arsonist has been released by Essex Police after fire destroyed four diesel tankers. Officers believe that one person deliberately started a fire on an industrial estate in Maldon. He was captured on camera running away from the scene in West Station Yard on 6 February. The storage tanks contained more than 190,000 litres (41,795 gallons) of fuel and the damage caused is estimated to be in the region of £500,000. A police spokesman said: "We are releasing the CCTV images in the hope that someone living locally in Maldon will be able to help us identify the person we are looking for."

Wales, Pensioner hit with £670 bill for spilling two litres of petrol at a filling station

Northern Ireland, Belfast. BP admits petrol had water in it

A major fuel company has confirmed a shipment of petrol delivered around Northern Ireland from a Belfast terminal was contaminated with water. BP confirmed that it was investigating how the contamination in the tainted ultra low sulphur petrol happened.

The firm said that some of the petrol had already been taken by tanker to various filling stations before the discovery. So far there has been one reported breakdown as a result. A spokesman for the company said sales of the petrol were stopped as soon as it realised there was a problem. “The moment this was reported, the tank where the product came from was isolated and deliveries stopped,” he said. “There are no issues with product being delivered now. We are investigating the cause. “A very small number of petrol stations have reported high water levels in their tanks. In all but one case, the water settled at the bottom of the tank and was drained.” Deliveries were thought to have returned to normal.

A grandfather who accidentally spilled petrol when he filled up at a supermarket was charged £670 to clean it up. Ron Wyde, 69, was buying four-star petrol at a Morrison's store when a pipe on the tank of his Vauxhall Astra accidentally came loose and leaked two litres on the floor.

The concerned pensioner immediately explained the leak to staff at the kiosk in Barry, South Wales, and waited for the fire service to clean up the overflow. The Morrison's supermarket and filling station in Barry, South Wales, where Ron Wyde spilled two litres of petrol, had sent a letter from the chain demanding a staggering £670 for resolving the issue and threatened to send bailiffs to his property if he didn't pay.

Morrison's sent two service engineers from Wigan, Lancashire, to make sure the petrol station was safe and tried to charge the grandfather for the expense. The Bill stated that the engineers had spent six hours travelling the 440-mile round trip between Wigan and Barry to carry out the job - which took just 40 minutes using a jet wash.

Mr Wyde said: “It would be laughable if it wasn't such a big bill. “It was a small amount of petrol about two quid’s worth. “The fire service had cleaned it up in minutes and they didn't charge for that. “I was amazed to get such a huge bill - it was a complete surprise. “I was being asked to pay for someone to drive all the way from the North of England to deal with a small amount of petrol which had already been cleaned up.”

Grandfather Ron had just dropped wife Maureen, 67, at bingo when he pulled into Morrison's to put a splash of petrol into the tank of his Vauxhall Astra but the £670 he was hit with came to more than his total petrol bill for an entire year.

He said: “I told Morrison's I was not paying but they threatened me with recovery agents. “I thought they were behaving like bullies - I'm sorry I accidentally spilled petrol but I paid for it and the fire service cleaned it up.” Ron put the matter in the hands of his solicitors and Morrison's backed down. A spokesman said: “It was a specialist service and had to be carried out by an approved company. “However it was an error to charge the customer for the full amount. “We would like to apologise to Mr Wyde and as a result will cancel all charges to him.”

Ireland, Dublin. Miracle escape at city petrol station

Recently in South Dublin a tanker attempting to leave a petrol station overturned. The incident occurred at approximately 6am at the Tesco Petrol Station, close to Dundrum Town Centre. It is understood the tanker was attempting to move in the station's forecourt when it apparently slipped down a nearby slope. Gardai were soon on the scene and recovery trucks later arrived in a bid to remove the truck from the scene. It is understood that nobody was injured. Meanwhile, price-weary motorists can expect further headaches over the next few months as the cost of fuel is set to increase. Industry experts have said that a deterioration in currency exchange prices will have a negative impact on the price of petrol and diesel. Petrol is now averaging at nearly €1.28 a litre, which is an increase of 24c and diesel prices are also increasing, coming in at almost €1.20 on average. These increases are despite the low cost of a barrel of oil compared to years ago. Across the eurozone, the price of

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk 23

petrol remains at €1.11 in Austria but reaches as much as €1.32 in France. Conor Faughnan of Automobile Association (AA Roadwatch) said that he believes the prices will not come down over the next month. "We are definitely going to continue to get shocks and price fluctuations," he said. "But this is occupying minds around Europe, not just Ireland."

France, Paris. BP receives offer for its retail fuels and convenience business in France

BP has received an offer from Delek Europe B.V., one of the largest fuel retailers in Europe and a subsidiary of the Delek Group Ltd, to buy its French retail fuels and convenience business including selected fuel terminals. The proposed purchase price is €180million (approximately US$251 million), in cash, subject to working capital adjustments. On receipt of the offer to purchase BP's approximately 416 petrol stations in France, BP has entered into a period of exclusivity with Delek Europe and has started discussions with the relevant works councils. The sale would also include interests or ownership in three fuel distribution depots and it is expected to include a long term agreement for acceptance of fuel cards. The proposed transaction is currently expected to be completed in the second half of this year. Any final transaction will be subject to works councils and regulatory approvals.

As well as an agreement for BP branding to remain on the forecourts for a number of years under a licensing agreement, BP would also continue to supply fuel including premium BP Ultimate fuels under a supply agreement. If the offer is accepted and the deal is approved then BP would still continue to retain a significant presence in France through its business to business fuels, bitumen, lubricants and aviation businesses.

Staff currently working for the retail business would transfer to the new owner. Jean-Baptiste Renard, BP's Head of Region for Europe and South Africa, said: "We believe the decision to sell is right for the business as it means the BP brand will stay on the forecourts. It is right for staff as their jobs would be retained, and it would give the new owners an opportunity to keep investing in the business." Zion Ginat, CEO Delek Benelux, commented: "Delek is excited to expand and develop its retail business in Europe through the proposed acquisition of BP's marketing business in France. Delek is committed to drive value and to continue to strengthen the BP brand name in France for its customers and employees."

South Africa, Cape Town. Engen plans to take over BP

Growing oil company Engen plans to take over the assets of its rival, BP, in the countries from which BP is pulling out. BP announced last week that it will be pulling out of five southern African countries as a result of a strategic review.

In an interview with Bloomberg, a top Engen official said the company will take advantage of this opportunity and buy BP assets as part of its expansion strategy and penetration into new markets. "We're on a growth programme and they're selling assets," Wayne Hartmann, Engen's General Manager for international business, said in an interview in Cape Town yesterday. "We're very small in Tanzania and missing in Malawi." While some of its rivals are reducing activities in Africa, Engen has a "positive outlook" on the continent and rolled out a record 30 sites last year, Hartmann said.

While the company has a "healthy balance sheet," a stock exchange listing to fund acquisitions has not been ruled out, he said. Engen, which has 40 filling stations across Botswana, is already listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange's foreign board and is the third largest oil company in Botswana after BP and Shell. In a statement last week, BP Africa CEO, Sipho Maseko, said he was confident the businesses they

are looking to sell will offer good value and great potential to a purchaser, particularly given the strong economic outlook of the region as whole. "A new owner can build on our good assets and grow the business further," he said. "All of our operations are leading marketing businesses with strong market shares, well-run operations, experienced and capable employees and strong health and safety performance." Efforts to get a comment from Engen Botswana were not successful. BP, which has been in Africa for over 80 years, has been operating in Botswana as an independent company since 1975 when it split from Shell. BP Botswana has over 40 retail sites across the country where it has been competing with Shell, Engen, Caltex and Total. If Engen takes over BP in Botswana, it stands to enjoy the latter's wide range of customers and contracts, among them Debswana, BCL, BDF, the government's Central Transport Organisation, as well as big construction firms and transport companies.

USA, Tanker explodes at Donelson gas station

A fuel tanker exploded at a gas station along Donelson Pike, injuring the driver of the truck. Kim Lawson, assistant chief with the Nashville Fire Department, said the fire started just before 8:30 a.m. at a RaceWay station along Donelson Pike near the Nashville International Airport. Witnesses said they heard multiple explosions. Lawson said the 68-year-old driver of the truck was burned over 60 percent of his body and was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. The driver is an employee of Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. Officials said the tanker was empty, but it was moving fuel between the station's underground tanks at the time of the fire. The cause of the blaze was still under investigation. The cab of the truck and the engine were severely damaged. Lawson said the driver was outside of the truck when the fire started.

24 APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk