19 February - 21 February 2024
Central London, UK

Argus Global Base Oils Conference

Welcome

Start End
  • 18:00
  • -
  • 20:00

Open to all registered delegates and sponsored by Shamrock. Join your peers at The Market Tavern in Mayfair for a drinks reception to celebrate the start of your Global Base Oils Conference. This is a four minute walk from the conference venue.

Address:

The Market Tavern
7 Shepherd Street
Mayfair
London
W1J 7HR

Day One

Start End
  • 08:00
  • -
  • 9:00
  • Registration and breakfast sponsored by BRB International BV

Optional pre-conference training

Start End
  • 08:30
  • -
  • 09:10
  • Breakfast briefing: How does refining economics affect the base oils market? Irina Vinogradova - Senior Manager Consulting, Argus

Grab your breakfast and a coffee and settle in for an intermediate pre-conference training on refinery economics, how base oils are produced and how supply can be impacted by feedstock and competing fuel prices.

  • How do refinery configurations produce and impact different groups of base oils? Does refinery production vary between regions?
  • Why does crude quality impact base oil output? How do crude, vacuum gasoil and competing fuel margins impact base oil supply and prices?
  • How can refinery utilisation, maintenance and rationalisation impact base oil supply?
  • What is the value of by-products of base oil production; waxes, RPOs and others.

Speaker:

  • Irina Vingradova, Senior Manager - Consulting, Argus

Moderator:

  • Catherine Caulfield, Business Development Manager - Oil Markets, Argus

Main conference begins

Start End
  • 09:10
  • -
  • 09:15
  • Conference welcome Emily Harris - Conference Producer, Argus
  • 09:15
  • -
  • 09:20
  • Chairperson's opening remarks Catherine Caulfield - Business Development Manager - Oil Markets, Argus
  • 09:20
  • -
  • 09:50

This session will be a presentation, followed by audience Q&A.

  • What opportunities are available to the base oils and lubricants producers and suppliers in today’s changing market, and what are the macro-trends driving the industry?
  • How can the industry best move forward and plan effectively to ensure security and quality of supply across the globe?
  • Increasing sustainability and decarbonisation pressures are at the forefront of everyone’s mind. How is the base oil industry positioning itself and what decarbonization strategies might we see?

Speaker:

  • Chris Braggs, Basestocks Sales Manager for Europe, Africa & Middle East, ExxonMobil

Moderator:

  • Catherine Caulfield, Business Development Manager - Oil Markets, Argus
  • 09:50
  • -
  • 10:20
  • The big picture: Macroeconomics in a changing world David Fyfe - Chief Economist, Argus

This session will feature a presentation followed by audience Q&A.

  • How have global commodity markets been affected by recent economic uncertainty and the conflict in Europe?
  • How is trade, supply and pricing of commodities being affected?
  • What role will energy security and independence play in the commodity markets?

Speaker:

  • David Fyfe - Chief Economist, Argus

Moderator:

  • Catherine Caulfield, Business Development Manager - Oil Markets, Argus
  • 10:20
  • -
  • 11:00
  • A dive into the geopolitical shocks on base oil supply Speakers include - DYM Resources GmbH, Penthol

How are players from across the base oils and lubricants supply chain planning in today’s market? This session will feature presentations followed by a short summary discussion and audience Q&A.

  • How have sanctions on Russian crude and oil products affected the availability and quality of base oils?
  • Where are Russian barrels going and what is the impact on global base oil trade flows? Where are alternate sources of crude and base oils emerging from?
  • How are the base oils and finished lubricant supply chains being affected? Should we be prepared for more shortages?

Speakers:

  • Denis Varaksin, Managing Director, DYM Resources GmbH
  • Andrey Savin, Global Business Development Manager Base Oils and Specialties, Penthol

Moderator:

  • Guo Harn Hong, Lead Analyst Base Oils, Argus
  • 11:00
  • -
  • 11:30
  • Morning coffee break
  • 11:30
  • -
  • 12:15
  • Argus presents: A global market update and pricing outlook Guo Harn Hong, Gabriella Twining, John Dietrich - Argus
  • Gain global perspective with presentations from Europe, US and Asia market experts
  • What are the latest supply-side developments that impact base oils, such as closures, new builds and expansions, across regions, are they sufficient to balance the market in the mid to long-term?
  • What can we expect in the next 12 months in terms of supply and demand fundamentals and pricing impacts?

Speakers:

  • Guo Harn Hong, Lead Analyst Base Oils, Argus
  • Gabriella Twining, Associate Editor Base Oils - Europe, Argus
  • John Dietrich, Base Oils Market Reporter - North America, Argus
  • Jane Liu, Deputy Editor Base Oils, Argus

Moderator:

  • Catherine Caulfield, Business Development Manager – Oil Markets, Argus
  • 12:15
  • -
  • 13:00
  • Consumer focus: Managing base oil supply and shortages Jayanta Chatterjee - Global Base Oil Procurement Director. Castrol

This session will feature a presentation from a key global consumer of base oil on the challenges as a buyer in the current uncertain supply market followed by audience Q&A.

 

  • The base oils industry has experienced supply disruptions since the pandemic. How is the market dealing with a post-COVID shortage of base oils and feedstocks?
  • How is the market reacting to the rapid decoupling in base oil and crude prices and the base oil supply shortages amidst demand rebound?
  • What can the market learn from this unprecedented chain of events and be more resilient to adverse events.

Speaker:

  • Jayanta Chatterjee, Global Base Oil Procurement Director, Castrol

Moderator:

  • Irina Vinogradova, Senior Manager Consulting, Argus

Lunch

Start End
  • 13:00
  • -
  • 14:30
  • Lunch

Main conference resumes

Start End
  • 14:30
  • -
  • 15:00
  • Sustainability - More than just a buzzword? Dr. Valentina Serra-Holm - Vice President Engineered Fluids, Perstorp AB

This session will feature a presentation followed by audience Q&A.

  • Sustainability is fast becoming a commodity market buzzword and businesses are feeling the pressure to create sustainable agendas – what policies are being put in place to enforce this?
  • The European 'Green Deal' policies outline the path to net-zero by 2050. Can we expect to see formal legislation like this implemented in the UK and US?
  • Re-refined base oils are in line with European Green Deal initiatives. How will the new EU polices promote rather than impede increased re-refined capacity and capabilities and what will this look like?

Speaker:

  • Dr. Valentina Serra-Holm, Vice President, Engineered Fluids

Moderator:

  • Guo Harn Hong, Lead Analyst Base Oils, Argus
  • 15:00
  • -
  • 15:45
  • The changing tide for re-refined base oils Speakers include - Avista Oil, Nynas, Tayras
This session will feature presentations followed by a short summary discussion, and audience Q&A.
  • What are re-refined base oils and what role can re-refined base oils play in transitioning the industry towards sustainability goals?
  • How has the role of re-refined base oils changed in recent times? Is the industry changing its view of them?
  • Are re-refiners prepared to take on the competing industries for waste oil sourcing?

Speakers:

  • Mario Majic, Head of Strategic Business Development, AVISTA OIL AG
  • Marika Rangstedt, Sustainability Manager, Nynas
  • Christian Hartmann, Chief Sustainability Manager, Tayras

Moderator:

  • Gabriella Twining, Associate Editor Base Oils - Europe, Argus
  • 15:45
  • -
  • 16:15
  • Afternoon coffee break
  • 16:15
  • -
  • 16:45
  • Lubricant formulations: What is driving the change? Joanne Jones - Global Technology Director, Lubrizol

This session will feature a presentation on lubricant formulations, followed by a discussion interview and audience Q&A.

  • What are the key drivers behind formulation changes today? How does engine technology, environmental drivers and legislation weigh up?
  • How have formulations changed in the past decade for the passenger car motor oil (PCMO) and heavy-duty diesel engine oil (HDDEO) businesses? What does this mean for the current global base oil supply?
  • What are the challenges facing new lubricant development?

Speaker:

  • Joanne Jones, Global Technology Director, Lubrizol

Moderator:

  • David Wright, Director General, UKLA
  • 16:45
  • -
  • Day one closing remarks Emily Harris - Conference Producer, Argus

Drinks reception

Start End
  • 16:45
  • -
  • 18:45

Day Two

Start End
  • 08:00
  • -
  • 09:00
  • Registration and breakfast sponsored by BRB International BV

Main conference day two

Start End
  • 08:55
  • -
  • 09:00
  • Chairperson's opening remarks Guo Harn Hong - Lead Analyst Base Oils, Argus
  • 09:00
  • -
  • 10:00

Join Lubrizol for this session to learn more about additive formulation and manufacturing.

  • Learn about a general lubricant formulation
  • Review the differences between additive manufacturing vs finished formulation blending
  • Find out about the importance of precise formulation to delivery approved performance

Speaker:

  • Chris Schmid, Senior Global Instructor, Lubrizol Performance Institute

Moderator:

  • Guo Harn Hong, Lead Analyst Base Oils, Argus
  • 10:00
  • -
  • 10:45
  • Who's best in class - petroleum, re-refined, synthetic, or bio-based lubricants? Speakers include - Nuspec Oil, Novvi

This session will feature short presentations and a panel discussion followed by audience Q&A.

  • How do different lubricants compare in terms of sustainability, affordability, availability of supply and effectiveness?
  • Where are we seeing interest in bio and synthetic lubricants coming from? Who is investing in these over petroleum-based lubricants and why?
  • Can bio- and re-refined lubricants ensure the same quality as petroleum lubricants? How will quality be monitored and assured for end-users?

Speakers:

  • Dr Natalia Stawniak, CEO & Founder, Nuspec Oil
  • William Downey, SVP Business Development, Novvi

Moderator:

  • Guo Harn Hong, Lead Analyst Base Oils, Argus

 

  • 10:45
  • -
  • 11:15
  • Morning coffee break
  • 11:15
  • -
  • 11:45
  • Marine focus: How is the global bunkering industry's move towards decarbonisation affecting the lubricant industry? Speakers include - MAN ES, Maersk

This session will feature presentations from an engine builder and marine lubricant producer followed by audience Q&A.

  • The shipping industry is decarbonising ahead of current EU and IMO regulations. How does the move to marine biodiesel, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen impact marine lubricant formulations?
  • Do conventional base oils still have a role to play for marine lubricants?
  • What do new lubricants for marine biodiesel and future fuels look like? Where is there growing demand and opportunity for base oil and lubricant producers?

Speakers:

  • Kjeld Aabo, Director of New Technology, MAN Energy Solutions
  • Charlotte Spanggaard, Category Head - Lubricants, Maersk A/S

Moderator:

  • Catherine Caulfield, Business Developer Manager - Oil Markets, Argus
  • 11:45
  • -
  • 12:15
  • How to deliver sustainable growth for your business James Moorhouse - Director, ABN Resource

This session is brought to you by our sponsor ABN Resource and is designed to equip your business with the skills needed to ensure long-term growth and bridge the oil industry skill gap.

  • What challenges are facing the base oils and lubricants businesses and its personnel in 2023?
  • Learn how to drive business performance and the importance of the power of people
  • Content suitable for leadership and senior professionals who are serious about tackling change and meeting challenges head-on to deliver growth

Speaker:

  • James Moorhouse, Director, ABN Resource

Lunch

Start End
  • 12:00
  • -
  • 13:30
  • Lunch

Start End
  • 13:30
  • -
  • 14:00
  • Latin American overview: Why are producers targeting this growth market? Kauanna Navarro & John Dietrich - Latin American & North American Market Reporters Base Oils, Argus
  • Latin America’s changing domestic production and reliance on imports from North America, Europe, Russia and Asia  
  • How have global trends and the war in Ukraine impacted the Americas? 
  • How will planned maintenance in North America affect supply and demand in this region?

Speakers:

  • Kauanna Navarro, Base Oils Market Reporter - Latin America, Argus
  • John Dietrich, Base Oils Market Reporter - North America, Argus

Moderator:

  • Jane Liu, Deputy Editor Base Oils, Argus
  • 14:00
  • -
  • 14:30
  • Innovation feature: Amazon rethinks supply chain logistics John McFall - Head of AWS Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics, Amazon

This is a special presentation dedicated to industry innovation and invites attendees to rethink the fundamentals of business and engage with the future.

  • How can you maximise the efficiency of your supply chain management with custom logistics data sourced with specialty technology?
  • What is the value in rethinking supply chain logistics and how might this innovation help prevent supply issues the base oils industry is currently facing?
  • Learn about the benefits of employing data and analysis to improve efficiency, maximise output and therefore increase profits in your business.

Speaker:

  • John McFall, Head of AWS Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics, Amazon

Moderator:

  • John Dietrich, Base Oils Market Reporter North America, Argus

Conference concludes

Start End
  • 14:30
  • -
  • 14:35
  • Chairperson's closing remarks Guo Harn Hong & Catherine Caulfield - Lead Analyst Base Oils & Business Development Manager - Oil Markets, Argus
  • 14:35
  • -
  • Conference concludes

Argus post-conference workshop

Start End
  • 14:35
  • -
  • 15:15
  • Argus pricing and methodology training Guo Harn Hong, Catherine Caulfield - Lead Analyst Base Oils & Business Development Manager - Oil Markets

Join Argus for this session to understand how to accurately determine spot market prices and forecast prices 12-months into the future.

  • How important is accurate spot pricing for risk management and decision making?
  • Learn about Argus’ bespoke base oil pricing methodology – how Argus assesses weekly spot prices, especially during times of low liquidity and volatile feedstock and competing fuel prices.
  • What inputs does Argus incorporate in to the 12-month price forecast and how accurate are these numbers?