Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Update on Mobile App

I have redesigned our app.    I had to add some html5 code.   The app is now more user friendly and is easier to read.  It remains a work in progress (as all technology does) but improvements are a positive! 


Remember, currently is compatible with droid and iPhone.  However, we are seeing some success with blackberry.  


RRMcD

Monday, February 27, 2012

Important !! A must read!!!!

Please read this article:

From Ken Kilgore:

Mastercard, Visa, and the US Government instituted the PCI Compliant Standard a few years ago which I am sure you are all aware of. It mandated Triple DES encryption for all processing equipment inside used to process credit and debit transactions. On August 1, 2012, fuel dispensers outside involved with pay at the pump transactions will be required to become PCI Compliant (TDES) if the site intends to process PIN Debit cards at the pump. If the site decides to discontinue accepting PIN Debit, then nothing has to be changed. The equipment being used currently will continue to process credit cards, credit cards acting as debit, and gift cards, as long as the equipment is DUKPT encryption. Only PIN Debit will be affected.
 
The cost to upgrade CRINDs if you are operating Gilbarco dispensers and CATs if you are running Wayne dispensers is about the same. The replacement EPP units are about $3,200 per dispenser + labor from most distributors. I could probably save you 15-20% off of that if you wanted to purchase the equipment from me and have your local service provider install it. That said, most retailers are electing to wait as true PIN Debit transactions are not a large part of the business and it is generally perceived that the PIN Debit customer will readily just choose to use a credit card if PIN Debit is no longer accepted. I do expect the EPP replacement units to go down in cost after the August 1st date as well which may provide a less expensive alternative if you wanted to make the change then.
 
I would urge you to consider this information and decide on a direction moving forward. If you want to continue taking PIN debit after August 1st please talk to your service provider and order equipment as soon as possible. If PIN Debit is not a huge issue at your site with pay at the pump customers, then I would wait and do it when it is most convenient and lower priced.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am happy to help if I can.
 
Note: Sites that Duncan has built since January 2011 using new dispensers are already PCI Compliant at the pump. We began as soon as the equipment became available.

I posted Ken contact info if you have further questions.

RRMcD

 
Ken Kilgore
Duncan Oil Company
Director of HVR Fuel Sales and Construction
Cell (937) 305-7001
718 S. Detroit St.
LaGrange IN 46761
kkilgore@duncan-oil.com
@ken_kilgore1
http://duncanoil.blogspot.com/

Thursday, February 23, 2012

New Additions to Duncan Blog

Duncan Oil has added some stuff to our blog.   First, we have a app that you can get on your droid or iPhone.  (Currently, these are the only 2 phone compatible with app.)  To receive app click on the icon on top right of screen.  A window will appear let you email app, or text, and you can also scan via QR code with your phone immediately.  If you don't know how to do this download scan life bar code reader to you phone.  (link is here)  If you are having problems loading app email me @ duncanoilcompany@gmail.com 


We also added a video bar to highlight some of what we do.  Videos will be added on a on going basis.  We hope to get our iTunes channel up and running in the future.  This will feature podcasts, etc on the industry. 


Thank You,


RRMcD 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Market sure did turn last moment!! Yikes

Well can we get any peace in this business?  Market is down than 2 o'clock it decides to go crazy.  DOE reports?  hmm..  I anticipated another up day even with the swing yesterday.  I just have a feeling we are on a run.   Who knows what the top will be.  (Chicago finished .1125)  


Signing off as i need to rest because this has been quite the week.  Duncan will continue to be the jobber that pushes the envelope.   Please tell your friends and help us spread the word on our blog.  We need followers!!


RRMcD

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Duncan Oil : Chicago Market ended up .24 cents today!



Oil land bloggers we had a very interesting day.  Chicago market really ran up after 12 and finished on an insane uptick.  (24 cents)  I anticipated this yesterday and blogged about it.  Volatility seems to be happening more and more.  Jobbers will have to increase there ability to adjust with the market swings.  

Customers need to try to grant 24 hr notice and be willing to incur cancelation fees as the market is increasingly becoming more difficult to accommodate all the variables. 

I wish I had the silver bullet to alleviate the stress this type of day incurs.  Unfortunately, i have no bullets other than to keep striving and working hard for our customers and give them the best service Duncan Oil Company offers.   

Duncan has been in the petroleum business for 50 years and we plan to remain another 100 years.  We will continue to develop our technology to accommodate our customers while increasing efficiencies that we can pass down to our customers.  It's a commitment our employees take seriously and are committed to seeing it thru.    

Tomorrow is somewhat of an unknown to me but usually there is some give back on a day like this but I actually think we might see another uptick.   Regardless, it will be interesting. 

RRMcD 




Monday, February 20, 2012

Article I am going to write prior to tomorrow which I really think will be interesting. I am testing my pyschic abilities!

     


     Well,  all my friends out in oil land I hope we still are sane and having some fun.  Whew, the news within our industry is definitely not boring!   Prices rose on the Iran Halt.  It appears 4 dollar gas might be around the corner.  URGH!  This puts strings on the credit lines for sure.  Focus on what you do and keep doing it well.  Realize customers will be irritated rightly so.  It's hard to understand the energy sector to the average joe.  It's not that they cannot but till you see all the variables in place it's difficult to grasp the concept.  Sometimes, being in the industry can actually create more confusion because the data does the opposite of what normal says.   


     So, I am speculating (this can be dangerous to do and I don't recommend it) that prices will be considerably up.  (6 cents and higher)  The Gulf Coast could be calmer than most but Chicago might be the volcano.  Let's see how this all plays out! 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Duncan Oil Today's Market Recap



Well,  today was an another crazy day.  Chicago market closed up about .11 cents.  So, in 2 days we had about a .30 cent run up.  Branded Supply is tight.  Duncan Oil will continue to forecast as accurately as possible while servicing our customers with the best options. 


There is a lot of unknows in the market.  It's currently choppy and the waters need to be respected.  Restorations on the street should be occurring within the next 24-48 hours.  (hopefully!)  


Monday is president day so the market will be closed.  We wish everyone a great weekend.  


RRMcD

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Today's Market was Intense


Today's market was intense.  Chicago Market ended up closing .15 cents!!  These days create a lot of havoc for our dispatch department.  Duncan does the best it can to accommodate our customers.  

Market volatility is one of the hardest things to juggle.   Supply is increasingly becoming more difficult in certain parts of the midwest.  Duncan will continue to strive to improve our operations and give our customers the best service possible!


RRMcD

Racing Fuel



*Duncan Oil is a Master Distributor of Turbo Blue Racing Fuel.  Sunoco Product 

Remains Official Race Fuel of JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour
Champion Racing Association and Sunoco Race Fuels officials have announced that Sunoco Race Fuels has agreed to be the Official Spec Race Fuel of the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the Official Race Fuel of the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts for the upcoming 2012 season. This will be the second straight season that Sunoco Race Fuels has come back as a supporter of CRA’s top two series.
"Sunoco is extremely pleased to be involved with the ARCA/ CRA Super Series and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts again in 2012," stated Terry Thompson, Sales Manager, Eastern US and International Sales for Sunoco Performance Products. "The CRA owners and staff have a proven history of providing extremely well run, family entertainment at racing facilities throughout the Midwest. Additionally, they provide grassroots racers with a professionally run, yet affordable, venue to hone their skills and demonstrate their talent. Sunoco has a long history of supporting grassroots racing throughout the world and we are proud to continue to support the CRA organization because of their sterling reputation and commitment to excellence."
Sunoco Standard 110 Octane will be the Official Spec Race Fuel for the ARCA/CRA Super Series for the 2012 season. Each competitor will be required to run only the Sunoco Standard 110 Octane at every series event on the 2012 schedule, starting with the point’s season opening event at Anderson Speedway on April 14th. Teams will also be required to purchase a minimum of 10 gallons of Sunoco Standard 110 Octane at every series event from the hosting race track or from Corrigan Oil Company who will have fuel available at every series event when the track does not sell Sunoco Standard 110 Octane. Corrigan Oil Company will also work with teams who want to purchase fuel by the drum for the season. Teams interested in purchasing Sunoco Standard 110 Octane by the drum can contact Matt Miller with Corrigan Oil Company at 810-986-5510.
"Going to Sunoco Standard 110 Octane as our spec race fuel with the ARCA/CRA Super Series will make it cut and dry with enforcing our race fuel specifications," remarked Eddie Chew, Tech Director for CRA. "Having one fuel will eliminate the ability of teams to try and use performance enhancing additives in their race fuel, which is becoming harder to test for with so many race fuel companies blending their own fuel for teams. Going to Sunoco Standard 110 Octane as the spec race fuel will help CRA make sure that everyone is competing on a level playing field when it comes to race fuel."
Sunoco has teamed up with Joe Gibbs Racing to launch the Sunoco Driven Challenge for the 2012 season. Five of the top Template Asphalt Late Model Series in the country were chosen, including the ARCA/CRA Super Series, for a chance for one driver to earn a test in a Joe Gibbs NASCAR K & N Pro Series car following the 2012 season. All expenses for the test will be included. Runner –up prizes will also be awarded. Series race fans will also have the opportunity to receive prizes with the contest. Several ARCA/CRA Super Series competitors have already registered, teams can go towww.racegas.com to register for the Sunoco Driven Challenge. Contest details and weekly standings of the Sunoco Driven Challenge will also be available at that web site along with more information about Sunoco Race Fuels.
"We greatly appreciate Sunoco Race Fuels coming back on board to support CRA in 2012," remarked R.J. Scott, Managing Partner with CRA. "The Sunoco name has always stood for quality products that racers can always depend on. The Sunoco Driven Challenge is a great opportunity for one of our racers to possibly get a chance to prove their skills under the watchful eyes of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Team owner!"
Sunoco Standard 110 Octane will continue to be the Official Race Fuel of the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts for the 2012 season. Series teams will be required to purchase a minimum of 10 gallons of Sunoco Standard 110 Octane at any track hosting an event in 2012 that sells Sunoco Race Fuels or if it is an event serviced by Corrigan Oil Company.
For decades, Sunoco’s fuels have been associated with racing excellence. Since the mid-60s, when Sunoco and the Roger Penske Racing Team with Mark Donahue forged what would be a long and successful alliance, the company has grown into an industry powerhouse. Today, Sunoco has expanded the reach of its racing fuels line around the world to include all types of professional motor sports and other activities where premium race fuels make a difference.
With its unsurpassed innovations and years of experience, it’s easy to understand why more and more engine builders, racers, tracks and sanctioning bodies choose Sunoco over all other racing gasoline combined.
Winning on today’s racing circuit requires more than an exceptional driver and a well-built car. It takes high-performance racing fuels that are willing to go the distance – fuels like those produced by Sunoco. As the largest manufacturer and refiner of racing gasoline’s in the world, Sunoco has a 40-year track record of winning performances. With an expanded product line, Sunoco offers drivers more choices than ever before. For the performance your engine is designed to deliver, consistently choose Sunoco Race Fuels. Sunoco blends every one of its race fuels in-house. Then, it analyzes and tests each batch under strict laboratory conditions. This ensures that you receive a reliable, high-quality racing gasoline every time.
When it comes to competing successfully, choose the fuel that is synonymous with the Winner’s Circle. Choose Sunoco. Enter the Winner’s circle with Sunoco Race Fuels!
RRMcD

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

U.S. Midwest crude oil supply growth of nearly 100% or 808,000 barrels per day (b/d), combined with inadequate demand growth, will result in oversupply, transportation constraints and deeply depressed prices in the region.



 BENTEK Energy, a leading energy markets information and analytics company, today announced the availability of the PADD 2 (Midwest) section of its Crude Awakening: Shale Boom Hits Oil Market Alert, which forecasts that Midwest crude oil supply will double during the 2011-16 period, growing nearly 808,000 b/d by 2016. BENTEK projects the production growth will include increases of 547,000 b/d in the Williston-ND, 97,000 b/d in the Anadarko and 131,000 b/d in the Utica (Appalachia-OH). Despite these massive supply gains and six currently announced Midwest refinery expansions, crude oil demand from regional refineries is projected to grow only 3% or 108,000 b/d during this time. Transportation projects such as the Seaway and Keystone XL pipelines are expected to provide only temporary relief to ongoing oversupply conditions. Consequently, regional oil prices are projected to remain deeply depressed.
Given increasingly tight and oversupplied Midwest market dynamics, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to Brent crude oil price differentials will be wide and volatile over the next five years. BENTEK's Crude Awakening: Shale Boom Hits Oil reveals that the WTI-Brent crude oil price differential will average minus $14 over the next five years. That compares to the current WTI futures discount to Brent (2012-16) of roughly minus $7.40. BENTEK forecasts WTI tumbling to a discount of nearly minus $18 this year before rebounding in 2013 and 2014 in response to key pipeline expansions between Cushing, OK, and the U.S. Gulf Coast, particularly the Seaway Pipeline. Despite these capacity additions, supply growth is expected to substantially outpace pipeline and refinery increases and lead to the return of deep WTI price discounts to Brent in 2015 and 2016.
"Unprecedented increases in Midwest supply and distressed regional prices are leading to a growing incentive to move more crude oil from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast," noted BENTEK Senior Director, Energy Analysis, Adam Bedard. "Over the next five years, oil flows that traditionally moved from the Gulf Coast to Cushing, OK, and the Midwest will reverse directions and head south, which will lead to major changes in national and regional oil prices. However, due to the massive amount of supply anticipated, pipelines such as Seaway and Keystone XL that are being built to tie these two regions together will only provide temporary relief to low prices at Cushing."
BENTEK's Market Alert, Crude Awakening: Shale Boom Hits Oil, provides a comprehensive review of the U.S. oil market and its potential growth over the next five years, including industry challenges and implications. This Market Alert details current drilling and production activity in the most active U.S. and Canadian oil plays, including five-year production forecasts. The PADD 2 section of Crude Awakening: Shale Boom Hits Oil includes in-depth analysis on historical and projected Midwest oil supply and trends in key production areas such as the Williston, Anadarko and Utica. Analysis on existing and future Midwest transportation infrastructure, regional demand and a five-year WTI market outlook is also included, providing extensive analysis at the most fundamental level available in the marketplace today.
RRMcD

Sunoco : Positioning itself for better Racing fuel Sales

Duncan Oil is a Master Distributor of Turbo blue





Sunoco Acquires 11 Sites in Florida From First Coast Energy 


PHILADELPHIA -- Sunoco Inc. announced today that it has acquired 11 retail locations in Daytona, Fla., and the surrounding communities in Volusia County from First Coast Energy LLP.


Each location will be company operated and include an APlus convenience store.
The retail locations are expected to be converted to the Sunoco and APlus brands over the next several months. The first location, which sits adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway, has already been converted to the Sunoco/APlus brand and is open to the public.


Philadelphia-based Sunoco is a leading logistics and retail company. The company owns the general partner interest of Sunoco Logistics Partners LP, which consists of a 2% ownership interest and incentive distribution rights, and owns a 32% interest in the partnership's limited partner units. Sunoco Logistics is an owner and operator of complementary pipeline, terminal and crude oil acquisition and marketing assets. Sunoco also has a network of approximately 4,900 retail locations in 24 states.

Supply / Economics

  It's interesting that demand is almost a 10 year low it appears we are over-supplied but the sector still keeps moving upward.  Some places there is a distant advantage to arbitrage fuel.  It truly requires a relentless passion to keep all the balls in the air to succeed.  Our industry is challenging and I would bet one of the most difficult.  Why?  Because what happened yesterday is not going to occur today.  Predicability is long gone.   You must digest the news hourly, look at all variables, inform your customer base, and try to keep your sanity along the way!!  I wouldn't have it any other way.   


Climbing a hill with your team can be the most rewarding thing life can offer.  Yes, we need to look down from time to time but the view on the trek up is what's it's all about!!  Keep climbing your mountain and take time to look down once in a while. 


RRMcD 

Morning Oil Report


OPIS MORNING PREVIEW:OIL FUTURES BACK ON THE RISE
NYMEX/GLOBEX PREVIEW . . .


   Although Tuesday saw a choppy trading session that resulted in light losses
for most products, oil futures were pushing back higher Wednesday morning with
benchmark crude contracts tacking on moderate strength and RBOB and heating oil
futures seeing gains of a couple cents. 


RRMcD 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Starting the Blog

    Welcome to our blog!  Our goal is to better inform our customers of what's happening within the industry and enable them to be become more educated to ensure there business keeps growing.    We will be discussing trends within the oil industry, performance fuels, grocery and gas, environmental compliance, freight operations, fuel movement, etc.   Our blogs will be accessible via RSS feeds as well.   Podcasts will eventually follow.  The oil industry is constantly changing and we plan on keeping up with the changes!!  


RRMcD