Argus Bitumen & Asphalt Live - Virtual Conference

Hear industry executives tackle the most pressing issues regarding bitumen shortage, and the impact of bitumen supply on running low-sulphur crudes

• Where have we seen refinery shutdowns and reduced capacity across the continent?
• What is the outlook for refinery output across Asia and the Middle East?
• How has the changing crude slate and running low-sulphur crudes impacted output?
• Where will we see new arbitrage opportunities for crude and feedstock across Asia including; China, South Korea and India?

Moderator:

Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Asia Bitumen, Argus

Panellists:

CK Lim, CEO and Founder, Hiin Holdings

Alex Hua, Managing Director, Star Energy

Zhai Ning, Director, Sunshine Oil

Abdullatif Mohamed, Trader International Sales and Marketing, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO)

• Assessing the rise in road construction activities and current domestic demand
• How is India looking to fill the supply gap?
• New investments and refinery redesigns to increase bitumen production
• How have sanctions impacted bitumen imports?

• Where have we seen reductions in refining capacity?
• How will refineries adapt to allow for a consistent supply of bitumen to meet demand?
• Where will New Zealand and Australia look to source new bitumen?
• What grades of bitumen are required for New Zealand’s road industry?

Moderator:

Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Asia Bitumen, Argus

Panellists:

Paul Prendergast, NZ Bitumen Manager, Z Energy Limited 

Bill Caradus, General Manager Pacific and Bitumen, Fulton Hogan 

• What have been the key price drivers across the continent in the past year?
• How have high fuel oil values impacted bitumen pricing in South Korea?
• What effect have changing trade flows had on prices?
• How do growing bitumen costs drive production of higher-quality products?

• How is the bitumen export landscape changing in regions including Australasia and India?
• What are your perspectives on market challenges with changes in bitumen production and supply?
• How are companies looking towards new logistical solutions to improve trade across the region?

A full view of the global refining landscape and insight into current market conditions. Take a global view on refining closures, the impact of restricted supply on the bitumen landscape and how refineries are shifting their operations

• How can security of supply be maintained in a volatile marketplace?
• How much supply can we expect in the market in the next five years?
• At what level are refineries operating and how is this impacting bitumen supply?
• How are companies becoming more flexible to produce more products and grades?
• Is quality being jeopardised by changes in the refining system?
• Which refineries are re-designing operations and moving towards ‘greener’ products?

Moderator:

Jonathan Weston, Editor, Speciality Products, Argus

Panellist:

Sebastien Le Corre, Bitumen International Supply Manager, Total 

Alberto Forni, Business Development Manager, Shell

Anton Beloshapkin, Head of Export and Foreign Assets, Gazprom Neft

Due to refinery changes in South Africa, the bitumen landscape is shifting, and supply chains will evolve quite substantially. Attend this session to understand to what extent South Africa will become a major importer of bitumen, in the near future, to meet its domestic demand

• To what extent will South Africa evolve as an importer of bitumen?
• How is South Africa’s role evolving in the bitumen market considering refinery changes?
• Where will we see potential sources of supply in the future, including the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Singapore?
• What infrastructure will be needed to aid the growth in imports?

Moderator:

Keyvan Hedvat, Editor, Europe/Africa Bitumen, Argus

Panellists:

Deon Pagel, Managing Director, Tosas

Saied Solomons, Chief Executive Officer, Southern African Bitumen Association 

Dave Bennett, Managing Director, National Asphalt

Bennie Greyling, Managing Director, Much Asphalt 

• Russia as a major supplier of bitumen — grades and cost benefits
• Understanding current trade flows and new opportunities for sourcing
• Where is the infrastructure for Russia to support the road construction market?

• To what extent will the Mediterranean have the capacity to meet global bitumen demand?
• Will bitumen be transported from the Mediterranean to longer haul destinations?
• How much bitumen is heading to north and west Africa?
• How are changes in the supply market impacting global trade flows?
• Will the trend continue and intensify to new markets including Asia Pacific, US and the Gulf – is there more scope for more supply?

Moderator:

Sam Balf, Reporter, Argus

Panellists:

Valerio Fortino, Head of Programming for Italian Refineries, Eni S.p.A.

Sergio Bovo, Chief Executive Officer, Alma Petroli

Hear leading executives across North America explore the changing crude and asphalt landscape, including refineries with reduced capacity and output. Understand changing feedstock slates, price drivers and geo-political issues surrounding production, movement and distribution across the region. Learn also how changes to sourcing crude is affecting asphalt quality and how refineries are responding

• Where have we seen shutdowns and reduced capacity across Canada and the US?
• Where have we seen gaps in asphalt supply on the east Coast?
• With residue becoming tight, what does this mean for the asphalt market?
• The movement to cleaner transportation fuels and demand – how far will it go?

Moderator:

Stephen Jones, SVP, Oil Markets Strategy, Argus 

Panellists:

Tom Schmitt, Retired President, Hunt Refining

• How investment in flexibility has created opportunities to produce more products
• Blending products because of the lack of softer bitumen — The innovations
• Flexibility across the supply chain and transport modes

Speakers:

Frank Suits, CEO, Suit-Kote

Frank Cawkell, Vice President, Suit-Kote 

• Assessing government strategies for the road construction industry
• Where do we see upcoming road projects in the future and those for tender?
• What are the priorities for road authorities in creating longer-lasting roads?
• How will governments introduce sustainable goals and a framework for a circular economy?
• Changes in specifications and investment in additives and polymer-modified bitumen

Moderator:

Sam Balf, Reporter, Argus 

Panellists:

Jan-Erik Lundmark, Senior Advisor at Department for Maintenance of Paved Roads, Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration)

Guido Biaggio, Vice Director and Head of the Infrastructure Division East, Federal Office of Roads, Switzerland 

• What emerging drivers are forcing companies to switch sourcing strategies?
• How has the road construction industry tackled low supply?
• What parameters are you looking for when sourcing new supply?
• How will you tackle logistics — what considerations are important regarding shipping?

Moderator:

Keyvan Hedvat, Editor, Europe/Africa Bitumen, Argus

Panellists:

Mathieu Lasserre, Strategic Procurement Manager, Sogea Satom

Fredrik Norrman, Nordic Bitumen Manager, Skanska

• How has the economic situation impacted government and private funding?
• Obstacles to financing road infrastructure in the time of Covid-19
• What funding is available across the continent to create economic prosperity?
• How are funds put together and what opportunities are there with public-private partnerships?
• What does the Chinese framework for funding look like and what are the developments?

Moderator:

Sam Balf, Reporter, Argus

Panellists:

Chanine Williams, Investment Principal, African Infrastructure Investment Managers

Alex Van Niekerk, CEO, Trans African Concessions

Hear from experts across the supply chain as they explore the current storage landscape and what investment is needed to service changing trade flows. A look at regional logistical hubs and whether South Africa is ready to reposition itself as an importer

• How are changing trade flows creating a greater need for storage and distribution hubs?
• Storage opportunities in Europe, including the role of ports
• What are the options for cost-effective storage?How well positioned is Africa’s storage and logistics infrastructure to import more bitumen?
• How can companies be efficient in switching between drums and bulk storage?

Moderator:

Alfonso Berrocal, Business Development Manager, Oil Products, Argus

Panellists:

Deon Pagel, Managing Director, Tosas

Jon Whittall, Managing Director, TEC Container Solutions

Laurent Sourlin, Business Manager – Africa, Shell

• Will the bitumen export market keep pricing against HSFO or will outright prices become the norm?
• IMO changes and COVID-19 demand destruction – what’s the expected legacy for bitumen?
• Post-Covid refining outlook and impact on US asphalt prices
• What Biden’s infrastructure bill means for the asphalt sector

Speakers:

Jonathan Weston, Editor, Speciality Products, Argus

Alfonso Berrocal, Business Development Manager, Oil Products, Argus

Maria Ahmad, Editor, Americas Asphalt, Argus

• How will road programmes be funded in 2021-25?
• What changes to state funding do we see in 2021-25?
• What are the main budget challenges, including government tax hikes?
• How are state road authorities allocating funds and which projects will be commissioned?
• Where will the money go — bridges, highways and maintenance projects?

Moderator:

Maria Ahmad, Editor, Americas Asphalt, Argus 

Panellists:

Jay Hansen, Executive Vice President, NAPA

Alison Black, Senior Vice President & Chief Economist, America Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)

Join this panel debate and explore the current storage and infrastructure landscape across Asia. Examine market trends, new trading opportunities and the infrastructure required to meet deliveries

• Where do we see storage being built across Asia, including Indonesia?
• How are distributors optimising vessel capacity to suit their destination markets?
• Do we see the size of vessels continuing to increase this year on more global trade?
• Will the shipping landscape be short or long across the continent and globally?
• How are companies remaining competitive and overcoming key logistical challenges?

Moderator:

Mahua Chakravarty, Editor, Asia Bitumen, Argus

Panellists:

Allen Pinto, Captain, Director of Shipping Operations and Head of Bulk Bitumen, Richmond Mercantile

Putri Purnamasari, Bitumen Trader, Pertamina

Andrew Khaw, Editor, Asia Freight, Argus

Join leaders from China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand as they explore new projects on the horizon, how to overcome new sourcing and technical challenges and how the industry will be funded

• What sourcing challenges are you seeing and how are you adapting your supply chains?
• New road networks and maintenance projects
• What are the potential future obstacles to demand?
• How are you working with governments to secure contracts and funding?

Moderator:

Regina Koh, Reporter, Bitumen, Argus 

Panellists:

Stacy Goldsworthy, Technical Manager, Civil Contractors New Zealand Inc

Vo Dai Tu, Chief of Research & Development Department, BMT Construction Investment Joint Stock Company

• The global trend towards reuse of RAP to meet sustainability targets
• Sustainable solutions: Meeting new demands for lower emissions and reducing temperature
• Asphalt performance enhancers that create durable roads and reduce the environmental impact

• Creating 100pc recyclable asphalt to help meet carbon targets
• Evaluating life-cycle inventory ratings — how does it work and what is measured?
• Working with suppliers using bioproducts across their life-cycle to reduce emissions

This panel will welcome experts across the entire value chain from Europe, North America and Africa. Explore key strategies on how to create an entire sustainable supply chain — from the refineries and transport fleet to the end-user.

• What areas of the bitumen and asphalt life-cycle can companies tackle to reduce carbon emissions?
• How are companies monitoring plants and assessing their carbon footprint?
• What choice of materials are refiners looking at and how are these acquired?
• What are the benefits of using natural products, including crumb rubber, to meet sustainability goals?

Moderator:

Alfonso Berrocal, Business Development Manager, Oil Products, Argus

Panellists:

Alexander Marais, Sales Manager, Sasol

Eivind Olav Andersen, Technology and Bitumen Manager, Veidekke

José Javier García Pardenilla, Managing Director, DITECPESA S.A., Ferrovial

Richard Taylor, Global Technical Development Manager, Shell

• The global trend towards reuse of RAP to meet sustainability targets
• Sustainable solutions: Meeting new demands for lower emissions and reducing temperature
• Asphalt performance enhancers that create durable roads and reduce the environmental impact

• What are the main political and economic drivers behind new performance requirements?
• What new innovations are we seeing to enhance performance properties?
• What are the cost benefits surrounding new government targets?
• Which environmentally friendly binders and additives are making roads more durable?

• What methods are there to increase the use of RAP in warm mixtures to reduce CO2?
• What technologies are available to help with reuse of asphalt?
• How can we improve our ability to meet specification with ageing criteria?
• How is the use of additives and polymers helping meet new specifications?

Moderator:

Maria Ahmad, Editor, Americas Asphalt, Argus

Panellists:

Rômulo Santos Constantino, Technical & Product Manager, Betunel Asfaltos

Richard Willis, Vice President for Engineering, Research and Technology, NAPA

• Adapting to varying specifications and parameters on viscosity and penetration grades
• How crude imports are changing asphalt specifications, and adapting to these changes
• What technologies need to be put in place to cut overall costs and meet requirements?