CLH Group has taken over the ownership, management and operation of the
Government Pipeline and Storage System (GPSS) network that it acquired in March, after winning the bidding process organised by the UK Government. The network shall now be known as the
CLH Pipeline System (CLH-PS) with immediate effect.
The CLH-PS is an oil logistics system that comprises 2,000 kilometres of pipeline and 16 storage facilities, representing 50 percent of the UK's entire oil pipeline network. It has a capacity of over one million cubic metres.
As operator of over 4,000 kilometres of pipeline in Spain, CLH bring extensive experience and expertise in the management of pipelines and storage facilities, which includes the provision of services to the Spanish Ministry of Defence. Its work in oil logistics has been recognised by the International Energy Agency.
The CLH-PS network was previously owned and operated on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by the
Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA). The near 80 staff of the OPA will be retained within the newly formed
CLH Pipeline System (CLH-PS) Ltd, with its registered office located in London. The board of directors of CLH appointed
Juan Bonilla as chairman of CLH-PS and
Charles Price, who served in this capacity at OPA, as chief executive officer of CLH-PS.
The network provides aviation fuel logistics to both RAF stations and civil aviation, including a number of the UK's busiest airports, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester, as well as other 10 regional airports supplied by road tanker.
CLH won the bidding process in March 2015, purchasing the network for GBP82 million.
Following the deal, CLH has increased its worldwide pipeline network by 50 percent. The purchase of the CLH-PS is a central part of the internationalisation plan CLH started in 2014 by creating a joint venture in Oman, where it is currently constructing a storage facility near Muscat and a pipeline network of 300 kilometres.
Juan Rafael Bonilla Abascal, chairman of CLH-PS
Juan Rafael Bonilla Abascal holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Seville, a master's degree in Quality Techniques and Management from the Spanish Quality Association (AEC) and a master's degree in Management Development from the IESE Business School.
The first phase of his professional career focused on basic research at university level. In 1983, he joined CAMPSA in the Quality Control department. In 1992, he was appointed Tank Truck Transportation Manager, and in 1999 became the CLH Logistics Manager for the southern region.
He moved to the head offices in Madrid in 2002 to take up the position of Assistant Industrial Relations Manager, later being appointed Assistant Deputy Manager of Operations Management, holding responsibility for the Company's entire oil pipeline network. He was appointed Human Resources Manager of the CLH Group in 2005, holding this post until July 2012, when he was appointed Operations General Manager of CLH. In May 2015 has been appointed Chairman of CLH-PS.
Charles Price, chief executive officer of CLH-PS
Graduate in Mechanical and Production Engineering from the Gloucestershire College of Arts & Technology. He also holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Liverpool and an MBA from the University of Bath.
His career began with ICI Chemicals & Polymers, where he held positions of Development Engineer, Plant Engineer, and Maintenance Manager. In 1999, he joined Alderley PLC to hold the position of Assistant to the CEO. Later, in 2001, he became Senior Projects Manager at Alderley Systems Ltd. In 2005 he moved to Moscow as General Director of Alderley NefteGaz LLC. Finally, in 2010, he joined The Oil and Pipelines Agency as Chief Executive and in May 2015 has been appointed CEO of CLH-PS.
