Company news in June 2004 | |||
Oilmen Set Their Nets
The results of the Golden Net 2004, the annual all-Russian contest, have been summarized recently. The goals of the contest were exactly implementation of global quality standards in domestic retail, promotion of the modern networks'' stronger positions in trade, public catering and services. TNK-BP''s chain of retail stations became a prize winner in the Retail Stations category. Appearance of almost all retail facilities, quality of their services and their fuel has notably improved over the last ten years. Services provided at retail stations of YUKOS'', Sibneft''s, Slavneft''s and other chains are quite in line with the global level. However, it is worth mentioning the fair decision of the jury that singled out TNK-BP''s retail stations. Such quantity and quality of services as at retail stations of the Russo-British petroleum company, if anything, cannot be found on the market yet. At present, the number of the company''s retail stations in CIS nations is nearing 2,000. Even though this chain is one of the youngest, it is already ranking 18th in the world by the number of retail facilities. But TNK-BP''s retail business does not end there. After purchase of the U.S. ChevronTexaco''s stake in a joint venture producing quality motor oils, the company is going to start production and distribution of these products under its own brand. According to the company''s data, oils and lubricants produced at the Ryazan refinery will account for up to 10% of the market in the CIS nations. In 2003, sales of oils īproduced by the JV where ChevronTexaco''s stake was equal to 50% came to 40,000 tons, worth of some US$ 20 million, or approx. 7% of the Russian market. To ensure that, in the absence of quality roads in this country, even retail stations poured quality gasoline, reconstruction and upgrading of outdated refining facilities, besides the operator''s integrity. This statement is considered top priority at TNK-BP. That''s why special attention is paid to the company''s core refineries the Ryazan and the Saratov refinery. Work aimed at increasing gasoline processing depth is already underway at the Ryazan refinery, which would boost the share and improve the quality of produced high-octane and environment-friendly types of gasoline (AI-92, AI-95). In addition, reducing the content of sulphur compounds in engine fuel down to European standards is a very topical problem. Commissioning of the catalyst cracking plant in 2001 was the most important stage during reconstruction. This enabled to dramatically improve quality of products. It is noteworthy that the process of such level has been implemented in the CIS for the first time and meets the level of the European most advanced refineries.
Source: Izvestiya