Argus Methanol Forum

For the past 30+ years Mike has brought people together across sectors, geographies and economies in the fuels, lubricants and chemicals businesses. From building pipelines and supervising terminals to managing global strategic accounts and establishing counterparty agreements, his unique career experiences have prepared him for this new challenge. The current challenge is to explore second-generation low emission biofuels opportunities in hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation, marine and heavy duty transportation. His role is to collaborate cross-industry to bring economically-viable low-emissions solutions to market at scale. Read less

Steve is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Nel Hydrogen, with more than 30 years of technical and business development experience in the fields of specialty chemicals and hydrogen system solutions. In this role, he manages all sales efforts in North and South America for Nel’s Electrolyser Division. In addition to leading sales of Nel’s PEM and alkaline electrolyser technology, Steve directs Nel’s international Navy submarine business segment. His previous experience includes an engineering role in the Electrochem business unit at United Technologies where he focused on the development of PEM electrolyser technology for space and defense applications. After moving into technical sales and sales management, Steve joined Nel to support the commercialization and market development efforts for its PEM electrolyser technology. Since then, he has held various management positions at Nel over the past 20 years. In addition to his primary responsibilities, Steve also holds several Board positions with industry organizations, including the California Hydrogen Business Council, the Ammonia Energy Association, and the Connecticut Hydrogen Fuel Cell Coalition. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Operations Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Read less

With more than 25 years of experience at the company I've held various roles in Design & Construction, Safety & Health, Procurement, Innovation, Customer Service, and Customer Intelligence. Since 2016, I've been heavily involved in the whole renewable fuels value chain (sourcing, scheduling of our production, sustainability compliance,…) and of the industrial decarbonization portfolio in scope 3 to help my company achieve its Net Zero goals for 2050. Since 2022 I give my support to the premarketing of HVO100 as an alternative renewable fuel for road fleets and other uses. Today I’m managing the go-to-market strategy for renewable fuels in road, marine and aviation segments with a strong focus to develop circular economy value chains where renewable methanol plays a key role. Read less

I'm an Industrial Engineer and Business Manager with a Regional Prize for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I began my professional journey in 1996 at Repsol as a Business Developer, where I’ve built infrastructure for piped LPG in more than 400 small towns and the implementation of the first Autogas installations inside our gas stations. In my 27 years at the company, I've held various roles in Design & Construction, Safety & Health, Procurement, Innovation, Customer Service, and Customer Intelligence. Since 2016, I've been heavily involved in renewable fuels, responsible for sourcing, scheduling our production, sustainability compliance and of the industrial decarbonization portfolio in scope 3 to help my company achieve its Net Zero goals for 2050. I’ve also been in charge of the first initiatives to produce SAF in three of our industrial sites, I’ve obtained the approval of the company to build the first advanced renewable fuel unit for HVO and SAF in Spain. Since 2022 I technically and commercially support the premarketing of HVO100 as an alternative renewable fuel for road fleets and other uses. Today I’m managing the go-to-market strategy in road, marine and aviation segments with a strong focus to develop circular economy value chains. Read less

Lindsey Eby is a Director of Structured Solutions & Strategic Origination, focusing on low carbon, cross commodity, and C&I structured origination activities. In her role, Lindsey works with customers on Energy Transition related products, including renewable natural gas, carbon offsets, and certified natural gas. She also strong experience with physical and financial risk management across a many energy commodities. Lindsey has spent her 8-year career at bp in a variety of roles, including Structured Products, Marketing, and Operations. In her roles, she has worked on the Houston and Chicago trade floors and has had the opportunity to work with many groups across bp. Lindsey holds a BBA in Energy Finance and minor in Management from The University of Texas at Austin. Read less

Kristjana has extensive international experience in the energy industry and carbon to value projects. She has developed and managed CO2 to methanol projects, including business development, strategic planning and bringing together diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve carbon capture and utilisation for production of sustainable methanol with CRI´s Emission-to-Liquid technology solution Read less

Based in Houston, after spending three years in Denmark Carlos Torres is the Global Head of Strategic Relationships and Partnerships for Bunker Holding Group. Carlos played a key role in developing and implementing the IMO 2020 Strategy for Bunker Holding and continues to be part of the Group’s task force looking at the future fuels that will be required in support of the IMO emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050. Currently, Carlos is working on identifying reliable alternative fuels with focus on “Green and E Methanol” to help the marine industry transition into the sustainable fuels of the future; as well as, managing strategic relationships and partnerships for the BH Group. Carlos Joined Bunker Holding in March 2018 after spending close to 20 years working at BP. While working at BP, Carlos had a very diverse portfolio of roles with his most recent one being based in Singapore, where he was the Global Head of BP Marine Fuels in this role, he was responsible for the entire marine fuels business, including the global marine team covering multiple geographies/markets around the world. Prior to that role, Carlos was the Global Chartering Manager based in London where he managed the chartering business for BP Shipping globally. Carlos’ career with BP goes back to 1998 where he joined Amoco prior to the merger with BP. His first job after the merger was in Chemicals where he managed the International Sales and Distribution team. He then was responsible for the global implementation of SAP for Chemicals. Subsequently, he moved to the retail business where he managed the supply of ground fuels to BP, Arco and Amoco retail sites. In 2002 he spent time in the Mergers and Acquisitions function where he was responsible for the successful divestment of 100 retail stations covering two major metropolitan markets in the USA Read less

Jose is a Principal Consultant – Process Engineering - in the Hydrogen, CCS, and Low Carbon Fuels business unit within the DNV Energy Systems division. In this role, he is responsible for the process engineering support in preparing feasibility studies and generating high-level cost estimates. His experience comprises 14 years working at Shell Global Solutions B.V. in partial oxidation (gasification), syngas production, and fluid catalytic cracking. While in Shell, he focused on equipment design, troubleshooting operating sites, and technology development. He participated in several techno-economic assessments of technologies to produce syngas, hydrogen, methanol, and Fischer-Tropsch products. Read less

Michael is the Chief Manufacturing Officer for HIF Global. He has 40 years experience in methanol and related industries, including the world’s first methanol-to-gasoline plant in New Zealand. Michael’s experience includes originating, developing & implementing projects in many countries with Methanex and its predecessor companies, and non-technical roles as diverse as investor relations and corporate strategy. As SVP Global Operations, he had responsibility for all Methanex’s operating plants, large projects and the corporate EHS function; and previously as SVP Corporate Development, he originated, developed and implemented Methanex’s EMethanex project in Egypt. After leaving Methanex at the end of 2013, Michael consulted to a number of methanol clients and was involved in various clean energy start-ups before joining HIF in September, 2022. Michael has a degree in chemical & process engineering from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Read less

Jeffrey Wright is the Director of Supply Development of Oberon Fuels. He has more than 20 years of global project and business development experience, including 6 years of biogas development experience, with companies such as Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, and Bioenergy DevCo, and industries such as investment banking, consulting, and capital markets risk technology. He currently leads Oberon’s efforts to develop renewable DME facilities in the United States. Oberon is the first company in the world to commercialize renewable DME as a straightforward way to reduce agricultural methane, decrease CO2 emissions of the propane industry, and accelerate availability of renewable hydrogen. Read less

Simon is a Technology Manager specializing in Alternative Fuels at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. With a keen interest in sustainable energy solutions, Simon has become a expert in various aspects of the alternative fuels industry. In his current role, Simon oversees the entire value chain for fuel production, with a specific focus on cutting-edge technologies within the PtX (Power-to-X) ecosystem such as electrolysis or carbon capture. He plays a pivotal role in shaping Rolls-Royce Power Systems' strategy and driving innovation in the field of alternative fuels. Prior Simon served as the Manager of Government Incentives at Rolls-Royce Power Systems for eight years. In this position, he was coordinating innovative, government funded projects within the company, ranging from personnel and energy efficiency initiatives to research and technology projects focused on sustainable solutions. His contributions played a vital role to launch the Rolls-Royce Power Systems Green- and High-Tech Programme. Simon has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – International Business from Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) and a Master of Science in Energy Management from University of Koblenz – Landau. Read less

Kyle Findley is the Director of Business Strategy for Green Circle, a Lummus Technology business that focuses on new opportunities for the energy transition. Mr. Findley is responsible for leading Green Circle’s business development efforts to commercialize new and emerging technologies such as plastic recycling, wastewater treatment, bio-based feedstock to petrochemicals and fuels, and overall decarbonization solutions. He has more than 15 years of experience in engineering, construction and technology licensing in the power and oil and gas industries with roles in field engineering, project management and business development. Prior to this role, he served as Lummus Technology’s Senior Manager of Proprietary Equipment where he was responsible for the management and growth of the equipment and catalyst portfolio. Mr. Findley holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from the USC Moore School of Business. Read less

Mr. Keeler is the Vice President of Business Development for SunGas Renewables, a clean energy and technology solutions company, providing, developing, and operating proven technology systems that transform sustainably sourced renewable feedstocks into a wide range of clean fuels. Mr. Keeler brings 36 years of leadership, technology, and operations experience to SunGas. Prior to his role at SunGas Renewables, Mr. Keeler held senior positions at Reliance Industries, Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips, and Dow Chemical for commercialization, technology development, operations, and licensing of gasification technology. Read less

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Over 30 years as an entrepreneur, developer and alcohol fuel patent holder. Invented and commercialized new products and technologies in the chemicals and building products industries. Mr. Lamoureaux is the founder and Chairman of IGP Methanol LLC. which is developing IGP's Gulf Coast Methanol project in Louisiana. Mr Lamoureaux is also an international thought leader that in 2017-18 forecast the coming market disruption due to demand growth in methanol being used as a biodegradable marine fuel, and presented the compelling case for Green and Ultra Low Carbon (ULC) Methanol. Read less

Robert has more than 20 years of business operations and business development experience involving advanced technology. Previous experience includes Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Element 1 Corp; Founder and CEO of Pangaea Technology Resources; U.S. Naval Engineering Officer onboard the USS Mahan DDG42, and Admirals Aide at Charleston Naval Base. Robert Schluter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA. Read less

Mr. Arguin brings over 30 years of experience in industrial process/product development, new technology commercialisation, engineering and operational management experience. He led over 20 plant start-ups across the globe in a wide range of industries from oil & gas refining, petrochemicals, biofuels, process minerals and metallurgy. Mr. Arguin held several management roles in Canada, USA and Europe with increasing responsibility, including Gulf Canada, Union Carbide, Kemtec (now Parachem), Minerals Technologies, Technologies Orbite and CelluForce. Mr. Arguin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering as well as an Executive MBA from Western University in London, Ontario. Read less

Steve is a commercial aviation professional with 37 years of broad, strategic airline, aviation OEM, and SAF experience. Over his career, Steve has been a strong industry advocate who has worked in roles of developing pragmatic solutions to the challenges of aviation growth, and such engagement led him to accepting the current CAAFI Executive Director role in 2012. CAAFI (the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, www.caafi.org) is an industry partnership fostering the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). CAAFI engages in public-private-partnership activities designed to convene the group of participants needed to stand up an entirely new industrial sector. Steve also continues to serve in leadership, steering committee, consultancy, and BOD roles with multiple aviation industry organizations in areas of applying technology and business concepts to enable commercial progression with SAF, both through the work of CAAFI, as well as independent activities through his consultancy. Read less

Ameet Kakoti, a chemical engineer by background, is the technology proposal manager at Topsoe A/S with a focus on green methanol, green ammonia production and cracking technologies. Ameet has 15+ years of experience from Topsoe within engineering, process technology development, commissioning, and sales. He has several years of experience within large scale grassroot ammonia and methanol projects from concept to commissioning. Lately Ameet is technology responsible on energy transition technologies, supporting projects worldwide. Read less

Anita Gajadhar is Executive Director Marketing, Logistics and Shipping at Proman AG as well as Managing Director of Valenz. She oversees Proman’s worldwide shipping, marketing and logistics strategy and activities. She is also a member of Proman’s six person Executive Leadership team, responsible for Proman’s groupwide corporate strategy. Anita has 21 years’ experience in the energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago and Europe. She has worked for companies in the Proman family for over eighteen years, including as Commercial Manager at Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited. Proman AG 2 Anita sits on a number of Boards including MHTL, CNC and N2000, and is Chairperson of the Proman Stena Bulk Board and the Methanol Institute Board of Directors. Anita holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University and a BSc (Hons) in Management and Finance from The University of the West Indies. Read less

Tim Urban leads the tax policy practice at Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group. He is an experienced tax lobbyist who has advocated for clients on every major tax bill introduced in Congress over the past 20 years. Tim represents companies on business tax issues, extension of temporary tax provisions and federal tax policies within the energy sector. Drawing on his two decades at a “Big Four” accounting firm’s tax policy group, Tim’s work has spanned the breadth of the energy world. He has coordinated ad hoc coalitions of taxpayers pursuing extension of temporary tax provisions, and sector-wide groups of Washington-based energy trade associations. He has represented companies on tax issues affecting conventional energy companies; production credits for electricity from renewable resources; investment incentives for purchases of renewable energy plant property, and production and blending tax credits for biofuels including biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol. Tim previously served as the Committee on Ways and Means Staff Associate for a member of the House tax-writing committee. In that capacity he advised on tax, trade, pension and health policy issues; created and implemented an annual tax legislative agendas; drafted legislation and related materials; and coordinated closely with Committee and Joint Committee staff. Read less

Vasileios Tzelepis (Lead Technical Consultant) is the Lloyd’s Register subject matter expert in Fuels, Emissions and Life Cycle Analysis. He is part of the IMO Correspondence Group of IMO LCA Guidelines. In his most recent position before joining LR, Vasileios worked for the US Maritime Administration (MARAD). Before MARAD, Vasileios worked for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) In-Service Vessel Sustainment (ISVS) program, he was project/technical manager in Foreship (USA branch), he worked as a marine surveyor for DNV in Miami, as a marine engineer for Ocean Tug & Barge in Boston, and began his maritime career as an engineer in LNG carriers. He holds an MSc in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of New Orleans (LA, USA) and a BSc in Naval Architecture from Europe (Greece). Read less

Peter Harders is Global Director Operations & Strategic Development for the Valenz Group, a market leader in methanol supply solutions. Peter leads the global marketing and supply chain activities across Valenz’s European, Asian and Americas subsidiaries and oversees the group’s global product development strategy. Peter has over 25 years’ experience in the chemicals marketing industry, with a particular focus on developing marketing concepts, optimising supply chains and product market growth. Prior to his role at Valenz, Peter held a number of senior executive management roles at Helm AG, overseeing joint venture relationships and portfolio optimisation across the chemicals division Read less

Scott is the Technical Director for Clean Fuels Alliance America, the trade association representing biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel stakeholders within North America. Scott leads the advancement of core member services for technical, quality assurance and operations support issues. He provides key support for technical aspects needed by renewable fuel stakeholders to effectively position the industry, educates key decision makers, and helps build industry credibility; along with overseeing the BQ-9000 quality programs. In addition to coordinating the OEM and fuel quality programs, he also provides leadership for the ASTM standards’ efforts for fuels and lubricants, and coordination of other international fuel activities as Chairman of the ASTM D02 Committee, while also serving on their Board of Directors. Read less

For the last 25+ years, Tammy's work has helped governments and companies chart a course toward real-world GHG emission reductions and air quality improvement, while successfully developing and entering new markets. She is an expert on regulatory frameworks, compliance and policy issues in U.S., EU, China, India and Brazil. She has and continues to work with clients in the oil and auto industries, as well as other clients in the biofuels, fuel retailing, private equity, electrification, hydrogen and other alternative fuel industries. Tammy has worked all over the world for companies and governments including in the U.S., EU, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Australia, Japan, Australia, Brazil and El Salvador. She has advised the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), Energy Management Authority (EMA) of Singapore and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), among others. She also have worked and help build multi-stakeholder coalitions to build support on various fuels issues. As the founder and CEO of Transport Energy Strategies, her consultancy provides market, policy and technology intelligence, research analysis and strategic advice consulting services to clients, including senior management teams and boards on a range of global transport energy issues. She has also advise clients through a member-based consulting service, the Transport Energy Outlook, which provides research analysis on global trends across a range of sectors, including refining, auto, engine, biofuels and alternative fuels. Read less

Lawrence Navin joined the Methanol Institute in June 2013. Lawrence's background includes having worked for the US Chamber of Commerce's US-India Business Council, the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and in the US Senate. Lawrence’s role with MI includes managing the Institute’s government and public affairs activities in the Americas and Europe, and to direct the Institute’s communications and social media activities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Delaware, and a Master of Arts degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University. Read less

Analysing and forecasting the impact of macro / microeconomic trends on a broad range of asset classes, where necessary challenging market psychology and consensus views. The joy of working as a market economist is a constant need to research and learn about the changing landscape of the way that the world works, well beyond the limited scope of economics and financial markets. The desire is to enable and facilitate critical & lateral thinking perspectives on global economic, political and asset market trends; to convey these ideas enthusiastically in terms that are accessible and thought provoking. Having spent much of his childhood in Libya and Iran, Marc has a particular interest in the Middle East, is passionate about music of all genres, and a regular guest on TV & Radio, and widely quoted in the media. Read less

Bob is Managing Director of XTS Energy LLC and has over 30 years of experience in developing major projects in the global energy sector. He is currently involved in the development of a major methanol project on the US Gulf Coast. He holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the US Military Academy at West Point and an MPA and PhD in Economics from Harvard University. Read less

Steve has 35 years of experience as a business strategy professional at The Boston Consulting Group, the strategy boutiques Telesis and Alliance Consulting Group, and in subsequent roles. He served as a senior staff member at the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Climate Initiative from 2006 to 2013. He holds an MBA from the University of Rhode Island and a BS in biology from Stanford University. Read less

Dave McCaskill has been invested in the petrochemical industry for over 35 years. Beginning his long career with Celanese Chemical in 1975, Dave started as a chemical engineer at their Pampa, Texas plant, and steadily progressed through a series of positions ranging from planning, supply chain, field sales and marketing within the organization. Noted positions included Business Manager Ethylene Oxide/Ethylene Glycol and the last several years with the company as Business Manager Methanol & Derivatives. In 2000, Dave moved into the consulting sector and worked with another leading industry consulting organization, heading their Global Methanol service for 10 years. Joining DeWitt & Company in 2010, as Vice President Methanol & Derivatives, Dave continues to be focused on all commercial aspects of the methanol industry—supply, demand, capacity, pricing, cost structure, etc. Dave graduated from the University of Kansas, with a degree in chemical engineering, in 1975. Read less

Becky Zhang works for Argus in a role of Asia petrochemical analyst, mainly covering Asia’s olefins and methanol markets. She has over ten years of real-time market editor work, familiar with chemical market dynamics particularly on China market and has wide industrial networks. She has also spent two years particularly in consulting service as a project manager focusing on China market and led projects in various industries, including refinery, olefins, polymers, coal and methanol. Becky is also a regular presenter at olefins and methanol conferences and forums. Becky is a chemical engineering graduate from East China University of Science and Technology, and holds two masters’ degrees in Environmental and Energy Engineering from the University of Sheffield (2001-2002) and Entrepreneurship from the University of Nottingham (2002-2003). Read less

Roel Salazar, is the Methanol and Derivatives Consultant for Argus DeWitt. Roel is responsible for assessing US Methanol spot prices and monthly indexes. Roel is also instrumental in preparing the Annual Global MTBE Report and MTBE Monthly Outlook. Roel joined DeWitt & Company Inc. in 2005 as an Olefins Analyst supporting the Ethylene, Propylene, and Butadiene services. Mr. Salazar joined the Fuels and Octane team in 2011 and has steadily built key client relationships with US MTBE consumers, producers and traders while helping them analyze the global MTBE and Octane markets. Roel’s previous experience includes managing system development projects in several industries. His petrochemical experience includes working at one of Mobil’s ethylene cracker in Houston between 1996 -1997. Mr. Salazar holds an undergraduate degree in Information Systems from the University of Houston. Read less