“Event Spotlight: Platts 2nd Annual Gasoline Blendstocks”
An interview with Ron Berg of Platts
Q: Tell us more about Platts conferences. What topics are covered, and what do attendees take away from the events?
A: Platts is known for expertise in energy markets on daily basis. Our editorial teams in Houston, New York and other locations follow the markets in great depth. Their insights and ideas are important to the conference planning team; and we encourage suggestions for future conferences from the field.
More than 50 conferences a year are produced with an educational focus on growing trends in a wide variety of energy markets: including coal, nuclear, natural gas and petroleum markets and products. The events also serve as an opportunity to network with industry peers.
Q: What’s the focus of the 2nd annual Gasoline Blendstock event?
A: The Gasoline Blendstocks topic is complicated and covers a whole range of very important issues for the downstream industry. Let me give you a bit of background. The 1st Gasoline Blendstocks conference was proposed by Platts editors in Houston, who saw growing interest and concern about the availability of critical components.
At the time of our first Blendstocks conference in January 2006, demand was changing to sweeter, lighter and cleaner product and there were concerns over meeting demand for alkylate and naphtha, among other blendstocks. After Hurricane Katrina, the shortages in supply became even more critical.
Last year, with the phase out of MTBE, people were also wondering about ethanol. Is it feasible? How much will it cost? How will we get it into the supply of gasoline? Complicated boutique blends were causing localized shortages and price hikes. Gasoline blendstock supply issues were causing problems for everyone.
In 2007, ethanol supply and availability on a national scale will be a big issue. The keynote speaker—Paulo Costa—is the head of Downstream Director of Petrobras Brazil. He’ll provide an overview of current operations and lead a discussion on the future direction of importing fuel from Brazil. Experts on supplies of blendstocks in the US, including RBOB, will address supply challenges. We’ve also got a great speaker from the California Air Resources board with more information on a recent study on air quality and ethanol.
Q: What are you hoping participants will get out of this conference?
A: This will be a chance to get up-to-date info and enjoy peer-to-peer networking. We expect between 100 – 200 attendees from a mix of companies, including traders and refiners. There will be an opportunity to ask a lot of questions and participate in open dialog with knowledgeable people from the industry.
In 2007, there are other Platts conferences planned on related topics, including ethanol, biodiesel, storage and transportation of refined products, and bunker and residual fuels.
For more information:
Platts Conferences
24 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington, MA 02421
phone 1-781-860-6100
email: registration@platts.com
http://www.platts.com/Events/
2nd Annual Gasoline Blendstock Conference
The latest in a series on vital issues for U.S. fuel markets
- U.S. gasoline and blendstock supply and outlook for 2007
- Growing importance of imports — New perspectives on RBOB and blendstock markets
- Federal clean fuel standards and a new regulatory environment
- China — Growing impact on world markets
- Brazil — Refining and export trends
- Ethanol futures markets — Domestic and international
- Ethanol supply in California
Gain insight from an outstanding group of speakers!
Paulo Roberto Costa, Downstream Director, Petrobras
Niko Ristikankare, Senior Trader, Neste Petroleum
Jeff Dietert, Director, Simmons & Company
Paul Machiele, Director, Fuels Center, EPA
Robert Schaefer, Regulatory Issues Manager, BP
Scott Jensen, Consultant, Baker & O’Brien
Paul Ting, Ph.D., President, Paul TingEnergy Vision LLC
David Lehman, Managing Director, Chicago Board of Trade
Patricia Hemsworth, Managing Director, New York Board of Trade
Gordon Schremp, Senior Fuel Specialist, California Energy Commission
Dean Simeroth, Chief, Criteria Pollutants Branch, Air Resources Board
Robert Sharp, Manager Downstream Market Development, Platts
Kathleen Hall, Petrochemicals Editor, Platts
Who will Attend?
Attendees include managers from a broad range of downstream companies including petroleum refining, petrochemicals, gasoline trading, feedstocks and blendstocks traders, schedulers, and importers.
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The views and opinions expressed in this feature article are designed for educational purposes. The views do not necessarily state or reflect those of DTN.
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