Month: April 2020

Posted on by regroup

How To Prevent Heating Oil Thefts

With news coming to us this week of yet another oil theft, this time from a property in Sudbury in Suffolk where hundreds of pounds worth of oil was stolen, there’s no time like the present to focus on site security so you can make sure your oil supplies are as safe as they can be.

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, the theft took place on April 14th between midnight and 2.20pm, with the oil taken from a tank on the property.

Police issued advice for anyone who may store oil on site in a similar fashion, suggesting putting lighting around any tanks, checking oil gauges regularly, investing in approved tank alarms and securing any fencing around the tanks themselves.

Rural properties may be particularly at risk from this kind of theft because they’re harder to monitor, which makes it easier for prospective thieves to sneak onto site under the cover of darkness (and even occasionally during the day) to drill holes in storage tanks and siphon fuel out.

You would be wise to make sure that oil tanks are placed within sight of occupied buildings, wherever possible. Consider setting up some fencing around the perimeter of the tank to act as a deterrent… thieves are easily put off so making it hard for them to gain access to your tank will prove very effective at protecting your heating oil.

If it’s possible to store your tank in a garage, shed or outbuilding, this would be a good idea and it will have the added benefit of protecting it from drops in temperature.

British Standards regulations allow you to keep domestic oil storage tanks inside as long as there is secondary containment, the tank has a capacity of under 3,500 litres, is located at the lowest level, is contained alone with a one-hour fire-resistant chamber and as long as there is good ventilation.

Another option, if you’re unable to store it in a building on site, is to consider installing it below ground instead. Be aware, however, that this brings with it an elevated risk of pollution so there are numerous government regulations you will need to comply with.

You can also help to safeguard your interests from the outset by choosing the right kind of tank. Plastic ones may well be cheaper and thus more attractive, but bear in mind that steel tanks offer a stronger storage solution as they’re harder to drill into and much harder to move because they’re heavier than their plastic counterparts.

It’s also essential that you have the appropriate oil tank insurance in place, just in case you are targeted by thieves. Damage is likely to be done to the tank and any security measures you’ve had installed, as well as the environment – so insurance is an absolute must.

For information and help relating to industrial heating oil, get in touch with Re:Group today.

Posted on by regroup

OGUK Welcomes Govt Help For Industry Workers & Companies

Industry organisation Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) has welcomed the government’s announcement of help for workers and companies in the country’s offshore oil and gas industry – which has been severely affected by the impact of COVID-19, the oil price crash and the lowest gas prices seen in the last decade.

Companies in the industry contribute approximately 50 per cent of UK gas, which is used for a large proportion of the country’s electricity production, heating the vast majority of our homes.

Not only that but they also produce a large proportion of the oil we need to fuel our cars, as well as in the manufacture of a vast proportion of the items we use day to day, from contact lenses to lightweight cases for our mobile phones.

Deirdre Michie, chief executive of OGUK, said: “Many of the companies in our industry, especially in the supply chain, are still financially fragile after the previous oil price crash, so the triple whammy we now face is particularly dangerous.

“In that context the strong response from the UK government and their clear determination to support both workers and companies is very welcome. It is now crucial to ensure companies can easily and rapidly access this money as for many businesses and individuals cash flow is now vital.”

Earlier this week (March 20th), the government announced that oil and gas workers were to be included on a list of key workers whose children will now be prioritised for education provision.

OGUK is now working to make sure that all its members and stakeholders are kept up to date with all the latest information relating to COVID-19. There are numerous schemes now available to help support those that have been affected by the pandemic, information about which you can find on the OGUK website.

These include the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (for businesses with turnover up to £45 million), the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility (for larger firms) and the Time to Pay service (to help businesses with paying tax).

There is also support available for businesses paying sick pay and through deferring VAT and income tax payments. OGUK is also working with members and regulators to develop industry-wide policy and advice on numerous issues, such as a helicopter transfer flowchart.

This sets out action plans for various situations. If no cases of COVID-19 are found, normal flying can take place. If an offshore installation has one or more cases, diagnosis will be made clinically by the installation medic or topside doctor. Symptomatic patients will either be sent home for self-care and isolation, not to hospital or to their GP.

Looking for industrial fuel oil suppliers? Get in touch with Re:Group UK today.