With the price of crude oil and refined products in 2008 at near record levels, it would seem as important as ever to have an efficient tank storage industry. However, is the ‘golden era’ for tank storage over? Is changing supply and demand, mixed profits and highly inflated asset values establishing a new cycle for the tank storage business? Are new market entrants, even the long term operators beginning to feel the squeeze of falling investments, EU environmental politics and new fuel grade specifications? Will regional tax differences and the fuel marketer’s penchant for additives and blending contribute to the complexity of operations and infrastructure in a global climate of tightening supply?

The 2nd Annual European Oil Storage conference will once again put this sector under the spotlight. In less than four years, global oil demand has escalated, oil prices have tripled and trade flows increased. Commercial storage has become a source of value and a lucrative business for many. What will it take to consolidate this value and new opportunity in a tougher market environment? This examination will assess such issues whilst considering other demand drivers that might equip the industry with the commercial dynamics to remain competitive.

Platts 2nd Annual European Oil Storage conference will be held November 24–25, 2008, at the Hilton Budapest WestEnd in Budapest, Hungary.

Confirmed speakers include:

- Tony Quinn, Principal Advisor, Bulk Liquid Terminals, Challenger
- Hari Dattatreya, Global Oil Director, Vopak Oil EMEA B.V.
- Emil Pahljina, Director of Infrastructure, Challenger Financial Services Group
- Ruud van Stralen, Commercial Manager, Port of Amsterdam
- Richard Kellaway, Senior Advisor, Global Infrastructure Partners
- Carlos Legorreta, Sales Director, Oreco A/S
- Richard Taylor, Technical Support and Governance Manager, SGS 
 
Areas to be discussed include:

Price differentials in global oil markets — Does the ‘oil storage trade’ still work?
Structural imbalances between production and consumption — Predicting forward demand drivers
Asset evaluation — The demand for new tank space?
Diversifying strategy to embrace opportunities across the oil product and chemical business chain
Preparing for the future 
 
For more information about the conference, contact:

Sophie Adams
Tel: +44-20-7176-6658
sophie_adams@platts.com