Nolan Oils - News

Highest Oil Prices for 17 Months

There was bad news for motorists and indeed all oil users as crude oil reached its highest level in seventeen months. The North American benchmark topped $86 per barrel and North Sea Brent was not far behind at more than $85. Partly as a result of the weaker pound, petrol prices at the pump have now topped £1.20 per litre, the highest on record. The latest increase in petrol taxes, although staggered, increased by 1p in April, which did not help.

Source: RBS Economic briefing dated 15 April 2010


Duty Rate Increases - 1st April 2010

Please note that the main fuel types duty rate will be increased by 1p per Litre effective 1/4/2010.  The chancellor announced new phasing of the duty increases in his March 24th Budget Speech.

 

New Duty Rate Effective from 1 April 2010

  • Diesel all grades increase by + 1.00 to 57.19 PPL

  • Unleaded Petrol all grades increase by +1.00 to 57.19 PPL

  • Gasoil increase by +0.19 to 10.99 PPL

  • No Change to Kerosene for heating still nil

  • Fuel Oil increase by +0.18 to 10.55 PPL

» Download details (PDF)...


Snow Scenes

 

 


OFTEC SAYS LOW SULPHUR FUEL IS SAFE

The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) has dismissed claims that low sulphur fuel is causing combustion problems with oil fired vaporising burners...

» Download OFTEC press release...


Happy 21st Nolan Oils

Mark Nolan started Nolan Oils in December 1988 so last month saw Oxfordshire’s largest independent fuel distributor, celebrate its 21st birthday. Celebrations actually started in late November when the Red Devils parachute team jumped into a Nolan Oils sponsored charity event. The event was attended by customers, friends and family to fundraise for Help for Heroes, a charity which the company supports in conjunction with the Bicester Round Table.

» More...


 
Nolan Oils Wins National Award

Nolan Fuel Oils Ltd. was named Oil Distributor of the Year at the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) Awards for Excellence held in London at the Hotel Russell. The company beat off stiff competition throughout the UK and Ireland to win.

Company representative Mark Nolan said: "This is the third year we have won and it is fantastic to win again. The award is a quality mark from OFTEC and it means that we are meeting the expected standards in the industry. We are constantly upgrading our standards and being a small independent company, we’ve got our finger on the button and that is reflected in the award." ...

» Download Press Release...


Triple podium for Mason in Superbike season finale

Gary Mason Triple PodiumGary Mason rounded off his 2009 season with a win and two second places in the British Superbike grand finale at Oulton Park. Riding the Q8Oils lubricated Quay Garage Honda, Mason had already won the Mirror.co.uk Cup championship and was hoping to score sufficient points at the Cheshire circuit to secure a top 10 finish in the main MCE Insurance series.
 

Second fastest of the Cup riders in qualifying, Gary started the first race, on Saturday, in 18th place on the Superbike grid. The race was run over 12 laps, having been restarted after a serious crash involving Karl Harris on the third lap. Gary finished first of the Cup riders, in 13th overall, earning valuable Superbike points, followed across the line by fellow Cup racers Peter Hickman of Ultimate Racing and Team NB’s Tommy Bridewell.
 

Race Two, held on Sunday, was also incident-packed. Chris Walker took to the grass on the Motorpoint Yamaha, with the safety car called out on lap eight when the Kawasaki of Julien da Costa blew up in spectacular fashion. Tommy Bridewell was first home of the Superbike Cup riders, with Gary Mason right behind, in 12th overall, earning yet more points to his tally.
 

In the final race of the day, and the season, NB Suzuki's Tommy Bridewell took the Superbike Cup win again, despite running across the grass on the first lap and re-joining in last. However, Gary Mason followed him across the line, this time in 10th place, for even more superbike points.
 

With the scores finally counted, Gary Mason won the Superbike Cup with a massive 154.5 point lead. He narrowly missed his goal of a top 10 in the MCE Insurance British Superbike championship, settling for 12th equal with Glen Richards of HM Plant Honda, just six points adrift of tenth place. The lubricants used by Quay Garage Honda are blended in Q8Oils' purpose-built plant in Leeds, just like the Q8Oils range of MOTO SBK oils that are available to road riders.

 

» Latest Team News

 

For more information on the Q8Oils range of market leading motorcycle lubricants, please contact: marketing@Q8Oils.com T: 0113 2350555.

 

Picture credit Dave Couldwell, DeeCee51@gmail.com

 

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Red or White Diesel

This is not a trivial issue for those who run tractors or mowing machines, which will include; all farmers, local authorities, golf-course managers, amusement park owners, anyone in fact who has to manage a lot of grass.

The differential in the price of red diesel, which can generally only be used for off-road vehicles, and white diesel which is used in all other vehicles, is about 60p per litre. This amounts to a huge cost for some businesses and of-course is purely due to the amount of tax levied by the Government on the different types of diesel.

HMRC has recently issued advice about the types of vehicles that can be powered by red diesel when they are used for grass cutting. These are:

  • unlicensed vehicles not used on public roads
  • tractors
  • mowing machines

Purpose built mowing machines can always use red diesel, wherever the grass is being cut. However, a tractor that has removable mowing machinery will not qualify as a mowing machine. Such tractors can only use red diesel when the grass is being cut for horticultural reasons ie, for fodder or for harvesting, or when cutting verges or hedges bordering public roads. Removeable mowing machinery should not be used on a tractor powered by red diesel when maintaining a golf course, playing field or other area that does not border a public road.

Anyone caught misusing red diesel could be fined £500 for a first offence and if the fine is not paid the vehicle involved could be seized until the fine is paid. Persistent offenders or larger-scale misuse of red diesel can attract a prison sentence of up to seven years.

Revenue & Customs brief concerning red diesel
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/excise-duty/brief4208.htm

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Police warn of Heating Oil Thefts

Police have issued warnings following a pattern of heating oil thefts in Cornwall, The Forest of Dean and Wales...

» Download full article (PDF format)


Crude Oil Prices

Increased volatility in financial markets, ongoing geopolitical tensions and now financial and monetary uncertainties make it more difficult than usual to forecast oil prices. We anticipate...

» Download full report by the RBS (PDF format)

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Market Talk

The market surged to near all-time highs Monday after OPEC oil exporters rejected Western calls to increase output to ease supply pressures...

» Download the Gasoil-Diesel PriceIntelligence report (PDF format)

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Heating Oil Thefts - Stay Alert!

We are seeing more reports of theft from oil tanks every day - heating oil users are growing more and more fearful of thieves who siphon oil from tanks and sell it on at a discounted price.

The Norfolk Police Force is investigating 36 reported cases of heating oil theft throughout the county since 1 January 2008, furthering fears that the rising cost of oil is causing increased incidents. Other incidents have occurred in rural areas across the UK.

Now the oil price is high, criminals have even more motivation to steal. With the cost of oil topping $100 per barrel, a domestic tank full of heating oil can be worth up to £700 or more.

Thieves are likely to target houses in rural areas, where owners might not consider exterior security.
We've come up with some hints to help our users protect themselves against oil theft:

  • Screen the tank with fencing, trellis or a hedge;

  • Cover any external pipe work/fuel lines from the house to the tank;

  • Install motion sensor security lighting;

  • Restrict easy access to the tank – thieves will want to get as close as possible with a vehicle, so make their life harder with a gate or fence;

  • Regularly check the fuel level so you can easily spot if the level quickly drops - consider installing a tank sensor - see our website for more information or call our office.

  • Join a neighbourhood watch scheme – telephone police if you see any suspicious vehicles close to properties;

  • Check your oil is covered under your household contents insurance.

Victims of oil theft should report incidents to their local police force, and alert other home heating oil users.

We hope this information was useful.

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News / Announcements

OIL PRICES

Indicative Crude Oil Price Trend


Highest Oil Prices for 17 Months

» More details...


Duty Rate Increases
March 2010 Budget

» More details...


Red or White Diesel?
HMRC has recently issued advice about the types of vehicles that can be powered by red diesel...

» More details...


HEATING OIL THEFTS: Police have issued warnings following a pattern of heating oil thefts ...

» More details...


OIL PRICE FACTORS: In the old days, the oil price was a relatively simple matter of cost curves, supply and demand. These days, fear is just as likely to set the price as fundamentals.
Click here for full article . . .


Crude Oil Price

Increased volatility in financial markets, ongoing geopolitical tensions and now financial and monetary uncertainties make it more difficult than usual to forecast oil prices. We anticipate...

» Download full report by the RBS (PDF format)


Heating Oil Cost Effectiveness 

Oil remains the most cost-effective for those without access to the mains gas network.

Click: Oil for Heating

Source: OFTEC

Click: More about heating oil economics for consumers.

Click: A note about Calor Gas "Selective Comparison"

Source: Sheila Hancock of the Federation Of Petroleum Suppliers


How are fuel prices set?

"There are four primary factors that are taken into account when setting the prices; crude costs, refinery costs, taxes and return on capital investment."

What might cause a price increase?

One of the reasons crude prices might rise is because the tensions in the Middle East continue to increase along with concerns about potential interruptions to supply of crude oil in South America and East Africa.  Natural disasters and political influences also have an affect.

However the price is also influenced by rapid global economy recovery and the expansion and emergence of burgeoning economies such as China, which increased its crude imports by 35% last year on the previous year.

Increased demand obviously impacts on price and market speculation on future high prices can greatly exaggerate the price increases.

Taxes are also a factor.  in the UK tax is 70% of the price whereas in the US it is only 23%.


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Lodge Farm Oil Depot, Bucknell Road, Middleton Stoney, Bicester, Oxon, OX25 4TA
Tel: (01869) 343477 | Fax: (01869) 343499  e-mail: Nolan Oils info@nolanoils.co.uk