Thu 9 Jan 2014, 16:38 GMT

Emulsion fuel update


Developer issues update on its principal project programmes to the year ending December 2013.



Source: Quadrise Fuels International Plc (QFI)

Quadrise, the emerging supplier of MSAR®, a low-cost alternative to fuel oil in the shipping, refining, and power generation markets, is pleased to issue this update on its principal project programmes to the year ending December 2013.

Marine MSAR®2

The fuel required for the 'proof of concept' seaborne programme was loaded in November for supply to two Maersk ships equipped with Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel two stroke propulsion engines respectively. The fuel will be used periodically in a series of programmes involving specific operations and load conditions that will lead to final approval to commence the next phase.

The seaborne programmes are substantially independent. The Wärtsilä programme is under way and at sea. The MAN Diesel programme awaits results from a precursor land-based engine test required to provide settings for optimal seaborne operation. The land-based test has unfortunately been delayed due to external factors not related to Quadrise, and the required information may not be available before end-January 2014.

The 'proof of concept' confirmation will signal the transition to commercial operations and the determination of contractual terms between the parties - Quadrise International Limited ("QIL"), the refiner and the shipping company. The first joint activity will involve installation of manufacturing capacity and production of Marine MSAR®2 fuel to provide for up to 4,000 hours of seaborne performance data collection on each engine type.

This resulting data is expected to support the issue of Letters of No Objection ("LONOs") to be supplied by the respective engine manufacturers for the use of Marine MSAR®2 in the engine types concerned. These are the latest two stroke main propulsion engines used in the largest container ships, most modern oil tankers and dry cargo bulk carriers.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco has designated a very large refinery for the first installation for commercial production. Selection was based on both scale of opportunity and ease of supply to a major steam and power generation facility located on the same site, and integrated operationally with the refinery.

QIL and Aramco have agreed that the first step should be a 'commercial pilot plant' which, on success will form the first production module of a significantly larger scale operation.

Quadrise and the Rafid Group are in discussion with Aramco on concluding the terms for supply of QIL services and resources for the MSAR® plant installation, and fuel supply and use at nearby power plants.

South America

The current focus is on the Joint Feasibility Study with Ecopetrol for supply of MSAR® fuel into the South and Central American power and marine markets.

In December QIL participated in a joint on-site review at the nominated Ecopetrol refinery to determine a preferred location for the MSAR® Manufacturing Unit ("MMU") and re-confirm the estimated manufacturing economics. Refinery residue samples are en-route to the MSAR® research facilities to confirm their suitability for MSAR® manufacturing.

The next phase of the study will be to finalise the installation costs, review logistics and identify the prospective client base in the power generation and marine markets. This activity is expected to be completed during the next six months.

Global Major

QIL and the Global Major have confirmed that residue may be available on a multi-site basis and could be processed into MSAR® fuel for either thermal power or marine applications. It is therefore prudent to await the marine 'proof of concept' confirmation as described in more detail above before discussing the next steps in the programme. Assured future Marine MSAR® fuel demand will affect the preferred direction of the programme for the next phase, and this should be clarified during 2014.

Corporate Resources

The active programmes have been both de-risked and broadened over the past year, with an increased number of ventures planned to enter the commercial phase over the next 24 months. This naturally has consequences for technical, commercial and operational management resources and for Group funding.

As regards staffing and structure, requirements have been defined and specialist consultants engaged to assist with selective personnel recruitment. The target is to complete recruitment by mid-2014 to ensure capacity to support all key programmes and maintain a high standard of professionalism across a broader front.

As regards funding, the board of the Company (the "Board") has re-confirmed that debt finance will be precluded until production related revenues are contractually assured. As advised in the 2013 Annual Report, the combination of a broader portfolio of high quality projects, and the need for additional staff to support active programmes, have increased the call on available funds beyond that anticipated when QFI last raised additional equity in November 2012. The Board favours a prudent approach to funding in these circumstances by securing a reasonable reserve to cover all eventualities. It has become clear that additional equity funds should be raised in the current year, preferably before end March 2014. The anticipated level of fundraising will be within the existing shareholder approvals obtained at the AGM in November 2013.


Launching ceremony of Amor. LNG dual-fuel crude oil tankers launched for Maran and Capital Ship  

Two 155,500-DWT vessels launched by New Times Shipbuilding in China.

AiP award ceremony for hybrid electric LNG carrier design. LR, HHI and KSOE sign an AiP to advance hybrid electric LNG carrier design  

Partners to focus on system architecture, redundancy and battery integration for a 185,000-cbm vessel.

Bureau Veritas awards AiP to Kairong and MannTek. Bureau Veritas awards AiP to Kairong and MannTek for LNG bunkering crane system  

Integrated crane and bunkering system unveiled at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok.

AiP award ceremony for VLAC design. Bureau Veritas grants AiP to Jiangnan Shipyard's electric-propelled ammonia carrier concept  

VLAC design combines ammonia-fuelled power, fuel cells, battery storage and wind propulsion.

Closing ceremony of vessel with builder's hull no. 0208122. LNG dual-fuel container ship delivered to Eastern Pacific Shipping  

8,400-TEU vessel handed over in ceremony held at yard in Jingjiang.

ABS signs MoU with Korean organisations. ABS signs MOU with Korean organisations to develop standards for hydrogen ships and smart shipyards  

Five-year framework will target ISO standards for hydrogen vessels, smart shipyards and advanced manufacturing.

Viking Astrea vessel. Fincantieri launches Viking Astrea with liquid-hydrogen propulsion at Ancona shipyard  

54,300-gt cruise ship is designed for zero-emission operation using fuel cells.

Spirit of Toulouse vessel. Norsepower installs first rotor sail aboard methanol-powered ro-ro vessel built for Airbus charter  

The Spirit of Toulouse will carry six rotor sails alongside dual-fuel methanol engines on a transatlantic route.

Mercedes Pinto truck-to-ship (TTS) bunkering at S.C. de Tenerife. Baleària Canarias completes first truck-to-ship LNG bunkering for fast ferry at Tenerife  

Mercedes Pinto received around 600 MWh of LNG via two tanker trucks simultaneously.

O Bunkering logo. O Bunkering claims 15-minute marine lubricant delivery at Duqm  

Omani supplier says local stock enables rapid turnaround for vessel operators.