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THE WORLD OF OILTANKING VOL. 27/3 DECEMBER 2015

combinationCOOL

A Cool Combination

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E D I TO R I A L

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C O N T E N TS

IMPRINT connections Vol. 27/3/2015 Published by Oiltanking GmbH, Corporate Center, Admiralitaetstrasse 55, 20459 Hamburg, Germany, www.oiltanking.com, Telephone +49-40-37099-485, Fax +49-40-37099-499 E-Mail [email protected] Coordinator Gabi Wuestenberg, Manager Communications Editor Renate Eijkholt Design raz design, Hamburg Print BEISNER DRUCK GMBH & Co. KG, Hamburg Published Three times a year Copy Deadline vol 28/1 January 29, 2016

ASIA PACIFIC

INDIA

LATIN AMERICA

EUROPE

Contents

LEISURE &ENTERTAINMENT

NORTH AMERICA

04 Peak of activity in Karimun06 Auspicious Groundbreaking Ceremony

09 ‘NEWTON’ Lives!10 We can, we care ... Come Rain or Shine13 40 Years of Excellence: The Movie14 Stronger together!

19 Safe Meets Eco-Friendly at Raipur20 Cool Clouds

18 Position in Brazil strengthened 28 Oiltanking Colombia in Full Swing30 What’s the Office Climate Like?

25 Dedicated to performance

16 Caring about Global Warming 22 Cultural Experiences | Cross- country Commission

36 In a nutshell

08 Lexicon | Cool Design26 Cool Art Form: Snow Art31 Number | 1:270 32 Cool Classics! Miracles of Beauty | I scream, you scream … we all scream for ice cream

34 Quaint questions39 Reader's Corner 40 Last but not least | A Different Stripe

PEOPLE & PLACES

Cover: Iceberg formations photographed by Dr. Steve Nicol. More on the back cover.

In these ever-changing times, it can be reassuring that some things never change or seem to always keep their relevance … one might say they are cool classics! The term cool, which has a whole array of different meanings, is omnipresent in our vocabulary nowadays and even its informal meaning of “fashionably attractive" or "impressive” has been around for over half a century already.

Oiltanking, also, has been around for quite some time. One of our first terminals in Europe, Oiltanking Amsterdam, just celebrated its 40th anniversary. And Oiltanking Singapore, our first terminal in the Asia Pacific region, recently marked its 25th anniversary.

We know we can always count on the dedication of our staff around the world, whether the markets heat up or cool down.

Recent employee satisfaction surveys amongour Oiltanking colleagues shows that they are satisfied with Oiltanking as their employer.

After all these years of being considered a cool company with cool colleagues, it's time for a COOL issue.

Happy reading!

Koen VerniersManaging Director Oiltanking East

Daan VosManaging Director Oiltanking West

WINTER

COOL CLOUDS

SNOW ART

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removed, furthermore the sub-surface soil condition being unpredictable, hard granite rocks had to be blasted while in other areas piling was required to strengthen the soil. In addition, dredging activity requires continuous engagement with the community as special techniques are required to transport the generators. These come as 60 ton units, and placing them on

foundations in one go is a critical job. Also the synchronization of the large number of workers, machinery, tight timelines and inclement weather poses unique challenges for Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE). However, even with construction activity at its peak in 2015, no lost-time injuries (LTI) were reported year-to-date.

As the hardware nears readiness, the "software" is not far behind. The operations, customer service and maintenance teams are receiving training. The terminal will start commissioning from January 2016. Interested customers have already started to visit the site and a second phase is in planning. The future looks promising for this newest addition to the Oiltanking family.

The Oiltanking Karimun Terminal is buzzing with activity these days. Some 1,600 construction workers are on site, working tirelessly towards finishing their works. As of the beginning of September 2015, construction was 85 percent complete.

The project scope comprises construction of four jetties for vessels ranging from 500 to 180,000 DWT; 38 tanks with a commercial capacity of 760,000 cbm and associated pump houses; piping, dredging and establishment of a 18 m deep, 350

m wide and 29 km long shipping channel; and the construction of a 9 MW power plant which will make the terminal self-sufficient in terms of power supply. In order to realize this, contracts for the construction have been placed with international companies such as Mc Connell, Dowell, IOT and Boskalis.

A project of this scale always comes with unique challenges, and Karimun has been no exception. During the jetty construction, for instance, a sunken barge was discovered and had to be

AS I A PA C I F I CAS I A PA C I F I C

FIELD TEST! All tanks have been erected and hydro-testing has started


in Karimun

Peak ofCAN-DO ATTITUDE Creative problem-solving and specialist knowledge were brought together to arrive at unique solutions

With the terminal's construction 85 percent complete (as of beginning of September 2015) and approaching its conclusion at the end of 2015, activity at the Oiltanking site in Karimun, Indonesia, has reached its peak.

READY FOR OPERATION The jetty substructure

as well as all mechanical works for the jetty are

completed

activity

It is no secret that Chinese culture is steeped in customs and traditions. So when the weather forecast predicted heavy rainstorms for June 16, 2015, the colleagues were worried. It was going to be a special day for Trammo and Oiltanking Nanjing: the groundbreaking ceremony for their joint ammonia project, a venture comprised mainly of one 50,000 cbm double-wall, full-containment, low-temperature carbon steel cryogenic tank, two 1,500 cbm pressurized spherical tanks and the associated infrastructure.

Speaking at the ceremony, Stanley Teo, General Manager of Oiltanking China, recalled the storage agreement signed between Trammo and Oiltanking Nanjing. March 5 not only marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership between the two companies, but also coincided with Yuan Xiao Jie, a national day of celebration that is considered especially lucky for family reunions. “Both companies contribute the best possible conditions for

establishing responsible growth in our business and in the community we operate in," said Stanley Teo.

Trammo is a large U.S.-based commodity trader headquartered in New York City. In view of China’s huge production surplus of ammonia, Trammo plans to consolidate domestic produced volumes by trucks and barges and distribute the ammonia in bulk, by vessels to Asian consumers or by pipeline to ammonia consumers within the Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP). This project is an opportunity to embark on a state-of-the-art expansion, with facilities that enable both companies to demonstrate their emphasis on safety, quality, and reliability and to build a sustainable business in the dynamic Chinese market. The project is expected to be completed before the middle of 2017.

Luckily, on groundbreaking day, the rainfall turned out to be light, which did not affect the ceremony procedure. And, according to Chinese tradition, water is conducive to the growth of money. People tend to pray for propitious winds and rains, which represent smooth paths and a good harvest (风调雨顺). So in the end the rain was a GOOD sign!

On June 16, 2015, the groundbreaking ceremony for Trammo and Oiltanking Nanjing’s joint ammonia project was held under good auspices at the terminal at Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP) in China.

AS I A PA C I F I CAS I A PA C I F I C

RAIN OR SHINE The groundbreaking was an

auspicious event


SUITABLE SOLUTION Ammonia storage is the latest addition to the wide range of services offered by Oiltanking in the Asia Pacific region

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Auspicious

E U R O P EL E X I C O N


Under normal atmospheric conditions, ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas and has to be cooled down to up to minus 33 °C in order to be stored in its liquid state.

In ammonia tank projects, the most advanced design techniques have to be used to guarantee safe conditions in even the most unfavorable scenarios. For instance, the chemical composition in the steel plates of the tanks is carefully specified to avoid the risk of brittle fracture. Since safe, secure containment is always a priority, all possible layers of protection are considered while designing full containment tanks. This type of design features a double containment structure, where the outer tank not only is liquid-tight but also has a vapor barrier in case the primary containment springs a leak.

Since the purpose of a refrigerated storage tank is to maintain the temperature of the product, thermally insulating the tanks from the outside air is a critical point in the design. Heat transfer from the surrounding air to the product stored in the tank needs to be minimized.

The insulation system used to keep the temperature at cryogenic levels depends on the type of containment. Commonly found in full containment tanks, perlite (a type of volcanic glass) and concrete can be used for shell insulation, while fiberglass and rock wool are used for roof insulation.

Even with the most efficient insulation, there will inevitably be some heat leakage into the liquid, resulting in vaporization of the product, also called boil-off gas. In summary, it can be said that refrigerated and cryogenic tanks for gas storage are among the most complex types of tanks, where all thermodynamic variables count.

Outer Concrete Roof

Roof Liner

Roof Insulation

Suspended Deck

Inner Tank Bottom

Secondary Bottom

Bottom Insulation

Outer Steel Bottom

Concrete Slab

Pre-stressed Concrete Wall

Wall Liner

Perlite Insulation

Thermal Protection

Foundation Heating

Liquid Containing Inner Tank Shell

Glass Fiber Blanket

Full containment tank

KEEPING THINGS COOL Diagram of a full-containment tank

Each product stored at Oiltanking’s terminals has its own specifications and its storage must comply with them. For example, ammonia has to be stored in refrigerated tanks, at very low temperatures.

Cool Design

Sir Isaac Newton (1642 – 1726) is regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time. It’s no coincidence that Oiltanking's new Terminal Operating System bears his name. Just as the physicist and mathematician is considered a key figure in scientific revolution, the NEWTON system will make a significant difference for the whole Oiltanking terminal network. It was meticulously custom-developed by the in-house IT Development team in Hamburg, Germany, over the past two and a half years. A key user group was set up from selected reference Oiltanking terminals in Antwerp, Hamburg and Singapore to provide valuable feedback on functional concepts with experience gained from using previous software systems.

In 2013, Oiltanking Malta volunteered to participate as a pilot location and become the first Oiltanking terminal to replace their aging OSAS system (in place for over two

decades) with NEWTON. On June 16, 2015, the NEWTON system officially went live in Malta – without a hitch, thanks to the commitment of all colleagues involved, the professional preparation, and the excellent quality of the program.

The current version is still in a core state consisting of the modules Order Execution, Measurements, Shipping Documents, Inventory Accounting and Customs Administration. As development continues over time, functionality and capabilities to fulfill the more complex needs of the Oiltanking group will be added to the software.

The next implementation is scheduled in March 2016 at Oiltanking Copenhagen. Other Oiltanking terminals will follow worldwide with the aim of replacing current systems such as OSCAR and OSAS. Given the positive experience in

Malta, chances are high that the new system will prove well worthy of its namesake.

On June 16, 2015 Oiltanking Malta successfully went live with a new Terminal Operating System called NEWTON. This marks a major milestone that will have an impact on the whole Oiltanking organization in the years ahead.

INGENIOUS NEW SYSTEM The terminal in Malta was the first Oiltanking facility to introduce NEWTON

‘NEWTON’ Lives!

PRESENTATION OF PROOF “Elaura” was the first

vessel to undergo fuel oil loading fully handled

in NEWTON

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the terminal in Kotka! Their personal planning had in fact begun hours before: Because of the expected challenges to get to work in the morning, they had set their alarm clock to wake up earlier than usual. From experience, they know that extra time is needed to remove the snow from one’s vehicle and clear the driveway just to get out of the yard. In addition, traffic might be a little bit slower than on a normal winter morning. Once they arrive at the terminal, the first task for the operators is to free the equipment like pumps, valves etc. of snow. In order to get the rail tank cars to the discharging bridges all rails have to be cleaned with a machine designed especially for this purpose. Also pipelines have to be carved out of the snow banks, as they must be visible to detect possible leakages while operating.

Frosty weather conditions also affect the terminal’s timetables and schedules. Every so often the arrival times of incoming vessels have to be postponed for several hours. In icy winters the entire Gulf of Finland can be covered with a thick layer of

Let’s have a look at a typical winter scenario at Oiltanking Kotka: according to the weather forecast, winter’s first snowstorm would be making landfall on the South coast of Finland. The next morning, everything was covered in a thick layer of snow. A veritable winter wonderland! As beautiful and magical as the view might have been, it heralded a hard day ahead for the colleagues at

E U R O P E

HIGH ON THE AGENDA It is estimated that on very snowy days, operators devote 20 percent of their daily working time to snow clearing

PREPAREDNESS Due to these winter weather conditions the terminal's timetables and schedules need to be adjusted

We Can, We Care …

Come Rain or Shine

TEMPTING TEMPERATURES After

being outdoors in the cold, using the

Oiltanking sauna is a big help in warming up

Oiltanking has various departments of which each and every one is crucial for a smooth, well-functioning work process. But it’s also the cooperation between the various departments and each individual employee’s determination to contribute that results in the successful performance of a terminal and paves the road to success for Oiltanking as a whole. One thing is certain: “Oiltankers”

can be counted on, no matter where, come rain or shine! Let’s take the example of the terminal in Kotka, Finland, in harsh weather conditions.

E U R O P E

E U R O P E E U R O P E

2015 marks another milestone in the history of Oiltanking. The colleagues put together a special program to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the terminal in Amsterdam. On August 19 and 22, clients, employees and stakeholders were invited to join the Amsterdam team on board the historic vessel Willem Barentsz for a tour of tall ships, maritime heritage, modern ships, naval vessels and amazing replicas at SAIL Amsterdam 2015, the largest nautical event of the Netherlands.

Prior to this, guests attended the world premiere of Oiltanking Amsterdam: The Movie at Theatre Amsterdam. The 30-minute film about the Amsterdam terminal, its people, and the work they do provided viewers with an in-depth look at what it means to work with 1.7 million cbm of flammable products, and what it takes to do so in the safest possible way. The film takes a look at the terminal itself, but also includes footage taken when the film crew followed a sea tanker from its offshore waiting spot to the jetty in the terminal. For many of the guests, even for Oiltanking

Amsterdam employees, this was a first time experience and a real eye-opener.

After the movie, the guests joined Managing Director Peter Boers in a toast to the company’s past and future and for an informal walking dinner.

The Movie

TODAY With a total storage capacity of ca 1.7 million cbm, Oiltanking Amsterdam plays a significant role in the logistical process to balance the supply and demand of petroleum products worldwide

GEARING UP Cold temperatures call for proper equipment and special precautions

FORTY YEARS AGO Oiltanking Amsterdam in 1975 with an initial storage capacity of 400,000 cbm

Wintery conditions also make everything very slippery, so operators have to be extra careful while climbing on the shore tanks or the rail tank cars. As the colleagues say “weather is always a matter of attitude. There is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right gear for the conditions.” That is why all operators and other staff who occasionally need to work outdoors at the terminal have proper clothing, starting with winter boots, winter gloves and

warm headgear under the helmet.

But in spite of the proper clothing, sometimes the freezing wind can get under your skin. For that reason, there is a sauna at the terminal. Especially in winter, the sauna is switched on several times a day and is a very welcome treat at the end of one’s shift or working day. Though low temperatures and snow increase the workload for everyone at the terminal, the colleagues have always managed to keep the daily business going. After a relaxing bath and sauna, the end of an icy day feels like the end of any other day at the terminal: you’re eager to get home. But first you have to dig your car out from under the snow!

ice. For that reason, there is a regulation regarding the ice class of ships: all vessels need to have efficient ice class even to come to Finland. Sometimes vessels are not able to break the ice by themselves. They have to wait for strong ice-breakers to open a passage for them all the way to the port. Also, after a voyage in the cold, valves and loading equipment become like ice cubes and have to be thawed before any operations can start.

Meanwhile, the control room team has received a call from the foreman that the terminal gates have become stuck due to the ice and snow, and trucks are unable to enter. For the operators, this means yet more snow shoveling. For recreational reasons, some of the colleagues in Kotka hope for “real winters,” but in terms of the daily business, a snowless winter is much easier to handle, and of course cheaper. In preparation for the low temperatures, many of the shore tanks at Kotka have been insulated and need to be heatable. Also, parts of the rail-tank car loading / discharging bridges have special heating equipment. Hundreds of meters of pipelines are equipped with trace heating and insulation.

Some of the products can require a lot of heating before they become dischargeable. One of these fairly demanding products is coal tar pitch which needs a temperature of 185 °C before it can be pumped.


PEACEFUL PASSAGE In icy winters, vessels sometimes need the help of icebreakers to

reach the port unhindered and safely

40 Years of Excellence:

The acquisition increases Oiltanking’s tank capacity in Finland to 257,100 cbm, divided over 75 tanks of various sizes from 500 to 10,000 cbm. This means that Oiltankingis now the major player in the liquid bulk business of southeast Finland, with terminals in Kotka and in Hamina Port.

In the first weeks after the amalgamation, both companies first had to get to know each other and become aware of different ways to approach the same business. This is among the most valuable aspect of the acquisition: each company can learn the other’s best procedures and

practices, and utilize them to ensure the future success and growth of the business. Finland is one of the main transit hubs for the export and import of chemical and petroleum products to and from Russia and the other FSU countries. The teams of both companies have approached this new exciting joint venture with an open-minded and ambitious attitude. Everybody agrees: Together we are stronger!

July 16, 2015 was a historical day for Liquid Bulk Terminals in Kotka Mussalo Port. Flags in Oiltanking colors were hoisted up the flagpoles at Vopak Chemicals Logistics: Two competitors had joined forces! The acquisition had been signed and sealed late the

previous evening, after countless numbers of working hours and nearly nine months of intensive negotiations. One epoch came to an end and a new era was about to commence. When former competitors come together, exciting new opportunities, as well as challenges, are sure to follow. For now the new owner, Oiltanking Sonmarin, will continue doing its strong business side-by-side with the newly created entity Oiltanking Finland Oy. Eventually, these two companies will be merged under the name Oiltanking Finland Oy.

E U R O P EE U R O P E

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Colleagues pool their experiences and learn from each other

AFTER THE ACQUISITION The total storage capacity of Oiltanking terminals in Finland increases to 257,100 cbm, further enhancing its market position

In July 2015 Oiltanking GmbH acquired 100 percent of shares in Vopak Chemicals Logistics Finland Oy. The transaction has more than tripled Oiltanking’s storage capacity in Finland.

Stronger together!


Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges

faced by society today. Its potential impact on human activities includes an increase in extreme weather events like storms or floods that, as in the case of Oiltanking, pose a risk to its tank terminals. Reducing energy consumption is one way to help counteract climate change. Marquard & Bahls strives to reduce the direct and indirect energy consumption of its companies. At Oiltanking alone, energy consumption came to approx. 486 million kWh in 2014. Just to give you an idea: The average annual consumption of a four-person household in the Western world is circa 5,000 kWh, and with one kWh of electricity one can work five hours on

the computer, brew nine liters of tea or keep an energy-saving lamp (20 W) lit for 50 hours.

The most effective way to reduce consumption is to increase efficiency, i.e. to minimize the amount of energy required for a given process. As pumping is the most energy-consuming activity at the terminals, increasing the efficiency of the pumps offers a high potential for cost savings on the energy bill by preventing wastefulness in the process. A detailed HSSE Energy Saving Guideline containing background information and practical recommendations was distributed to Oiltanking’s sites to help them detect potential savings and take measures to improve energy efficiency. While this was being

done at various sites, further potential for savings was identified and general recommendations derived.

The Sustainability team at the Marquard & Bahls Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) department has developed a web-based knowledgesharing platform in order to share further best practices and leverage internal synergies.


How to reduce energy consumption: Examples

The future will show how the use of electrical vehicles for errands outside the terminal, which is being piloted in Malta, can lead to fuel savings elsewhere as well. Oiltanking Bulgaria was able to save approximately 19,000 kWh of electricity by installing a frequency converter on a ship-loading pump. Replacing conventional lamps with LEDs in the outdoor areas of tank terminals has also led to significant savings. Oiltanking’s target is to reduce the relative energy consumption of its terminals worldwide by a further ten percent by year-end 2015 – an ambitious goal that Oiltanking has not yet achieved in 2014 but continues to pursue by developing and implementing new energy-saving programs.

H SS EH SS E

COMMON PRACTICE Instead of using a car, colleagues at the terminal use bicycles on their inspection rounds

Caring about Global Warming

KNOWLEDGE SHARING The Corporate Responsibility platform on the group-wide intranet contains best practice examples for saving energy and counteracting climate change

The most energy-consuming activity at Oiltanking is the pumping that takes place at the terminals. What measures is Oiltanking taking to decrease energy consumption in order to reduce its carbon footprint?

COMPARISON The energy required to maintain the temperature in a 35,000 cbm storage tank and to heat it, depending on seasonal climatic conditions

RELATIVE ENERGY SAVING POTENTIAL According to various industry studies and best practices, the highest relative saving potential can be found in

lighting systems, followed by pump systems

Calculate your own CO2 footprint and set yourself an energy-saving target:

Lighting

Pump Systems

Compressed Air

Heat Supply

Ventilation Systems

Up to 80%

Up to 50%

Up to 50%

Up to 30%

Up to 25%

Heating Non-Insulated Maintaining Non-Insulated

Heating Insulated Maintaining Insulated

4,5004,0003,5003,0002,5002,0001,5001,000

5000

Jan - March April - June

Example 35,000 cbm Tank

July - Sept Oct - Dec

kW

The city of Raipur in the Indian state of Chhatisgarh is located in the centre of the country, making it prone to extreme weather conditions. The terminal built by IOT to be operated on a common-user basis near the city had to consider these conditions to ensure that the facility is both tenable in environmental terms and safe for the people who will be using it.

In addition to a pond that facilitates rainwater harvesting and conserves a precious resource in this drought-prone state, the terminal includes many other well thought-out features to make it more energy efficient.

They include:• LED lighting throughout the terminal• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) for pumps• A vapor recovery system for gasoline• An energy-efficient administration building – complete with a skylight that allows ample

natural light within the building and• Energy-efficient color schemes for tanks

These schemes are unique in the sense that the colors used for tanks that store certain products have been carefully selected for reduced heat absorption, therefore resulting in less loss of product. For example, the two tanks used to store fuel oil (FO) are painted dark grey, nearly black to absorb heat, whereas all other overhead tanks for storingproducts such as gasoline, naphtha, high speed diesel (HSD) and super kerosine oil (SKO) have been given a bright reflective white color.

A vapor recovery system was also installed at the tank truck loading gantry to recover the vapor and reduce wastage of product while it is being filled for dispatch. Sprinklers across the rail gantry are a safety feature of this terminal, which was commissioned on September 11, when the first rake of product was delivered to the terminal by rail.


IOT’s Terminal in Raipur, India, was built with a view to safety and protecting the environment.

I N D I AL AT I N A M E R I C A

LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE The tanks are painted in bright white in

order to reduce the heat absorption and therefore reduce air

emissions

Safe Meets Eco-Friendly at Raipur

Oiltanking’s acquisition of 20 percent of Açu Port’s crude oil transshipment facility will further strengthen Oiltanking's position in Brazil and in Latin America as a whole. The oil transshipment terminal is licensed to handle up to 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and is designed to accommodate the largest class of crude oil tankers known as very large crude carriers (VLCCs). It also shares an existing infrastructure with Açu Port’s operational iron ore terminal. The existing infrastructure and the current licensing status for the oil transshipment terminal gives the project the advantage of being a greenfield project in a final stage of development. Operations are scheduled to commence in August 2016, and will consist of the transshipment of up to 200,000 bpd of crude oil produced by BG Group in the nearby pre-salt oilfields. A transshipment contract signed in early June 2015 provides for the potential increase of up to 320,000 bpd for a term of 20 years. Additionally, negotiations with other major clients are currently ongoing and are expected to be finalized before the start-up of operations.

Açu Port, located in Rio de Janeiro state, went operational in 2014. With 17 km of quay, over 90 km2 of land, it is the

largest port in Latin America with two major terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) an offshore pier and Terminal 2 (T2) an inland dredged channel. Thanks to a planned channel depth of up to 24 meters, the port is capable of receiving the largest class of oceangoing vessels. Its strategic location in proximity to the Campos and Santos Basins, which account for more than 80 percent of Brazilian oil production, makes the port ideal for servicing the oil & gas industry.

TransshipmentThanks to its proximity to Brazil’s largest oil fields, Açu Port provides an opportunity for increasing the efficiency and reducing the costs of clients’ oil and gas operations. For example, for oil-producing clients, the current alternative to the oil terminal transshipment operation is to sail its dynamic position shuttle tankers (DPSTs) to places outside Brazil, such as Uruguay or the Caribbean, where

the operations are performed in open water without the emergency oil-spill protection services offered by the operation at Açu Port. In this example, the current alternatives to Açu Port are costlier and riskier for both the client and the environment.

The ship-to-ship operation at Açu Port will transfer oil from specialized DPSTs to conventional vessels, thereby reducing the export freight charge levied on Brazil's crude oil by up to 60 percent. The operation is performed in an area sheltered and surrounded by containment barriers, which makes it safe for year-round operations. The requirement for this particular operation is unique to Brazil’s pre-salt basin: The challenge of operating in ultra-deep waters creates the need for DPSTs, which are more technologically advanced than conventional tankers.

In addition to transshipment operations, the oil terminal at Açu Port will offer a variety of traditional land-based services such as storage, blending, oil treatment and trading activities to be added in the future. In short, it is a perfect location for Oiltanking to further penetrate the Brazilian market.

On August 6, 2015, Oiltanking GmbH signed an agreement with Prumo Logistica SA, which owns and operates Açu Port in Brazil, to acquire 20 percent of Açu Port’s crude oil transshipment facility.

EXCELLENT STARTING POINT The transshipment facility in Açu Port offers many advantages, making it an advanced greenfield development for Oiltanking

Position in Brazil strengthened


remains so to this day. The livelihood of Indian farmers is essentially dependent on the Monsoon rains, as many of them are not equipped with methods of manual irrigation for their crops.

The rainy season has always been of great significance in Indian culture as well. In fact, one of India’s greatest ancient poets, Kalidasa, wrote a 111-stanza poem in Sanskrit about it, the Meghduta, which transliterates to “The Cloud Messenger.” It tells the story of how a subject of Kubera (the God of wealth), after being exiled for a year for neglecting his duties, convinces a passing cloud to take a message to his wife who resides in the city of Alaka in the Himalayas. The man accomplishes this by describing the many beautiful sights the cloud will see on its northward course to Alaka, where his wife waits for him.

The onset of the monsoon is also associated with treats such as steaming hot Ginger tea and pakoras (deep fried

dumplings made out of seasonal vegetables and chickpea flour), bhutta (roasted corn cobs dressed in lime and chili) and samosas (a plump, crispy-fried triangular patty with a potato or meat filling). Each home has its own unique recipe for these dishes, which are enjoyed in the afternoon or late evening as the rain beats down outside. On the downside, the joy of monsoon is somewhat marred by associated hazards such as flooding and diseases, which run rampant during this season. However, simple precautions such as avoiding street food, washing vegetables thoroughly before cooking them, and keeping

the environment free of mosquitos go a long way to keeping you free of infections.

Visiting India is always an incredible experience. The monsoon season can also be a great time to visit India as tourist attractions are less crowded, airfares can be cheaper, and many hotels offer bargain rates.

A monsoon is essentially a giant sea breeze. The westerly winds that bring rain to India are the most prominent of the world’s monsoon systems. They blow from the northeast during the cooler months (November to January) and from the southwest during the warmest months of the year (May onwards). As a result, the rainy season in India arrives in phases across the sub-continent. Beginning from the

southernmost tip, the monsoon is (usually) first welcomed in the state of Kerala at the beginning of June. From there, it inches towards the Himalayan range in the North and Northeast to cover India by mid-July. The eastern Himalaya, around Darjeeling and Shillong, is one of the wettest areas in India during this season.

India is traditionally an agrarian society and largely

I N D I AI N D I A

FULL OF EXPECTATIONS The dark clouds over the city of

Vadodara, Gujarat herald the onset of monsoon in this state

RAIN TREATS Numerous waterfalls start up during the monsoon season in Raigad district, Maharashtra

INCREDIBLE INDIA! Trekking to the numerous forts that dot the peaks of

the Western Ghats (a mountain range in western India) is a popular activity

in monsoon

The monsoon is a yearly weather phenomenon that greatly influences

India’s economy and culture. The onset of heavy rainfall is associated

with many expectations. One is the prospect of cooler temperatures

once the rain subdues.

photo: © Sumanta Paul, IOT Anwesha (an IOT Group Company), Vadodara

photo: © Vedugan Jayachandran, Deputy Manager Bids and Proposals, IOT Mumbai.

photo: © Sushant Mhatre, Junior Manager Operations, Navghar Terminal, Mumbai

How did the exchange come about? Why were the two of you chosen?Carolina: Originally the idea came from Anke Schouten, Head of the Human Resources (HR) department at Marquard & Bahls and Juan Pablo Rondina, my manager in Oiltanking Latin America, who wanted me to gain more insight into the corporate HR department. But my position needed to be covered while I would be abroad.Barbara: When I was interviewed for my job at Marquard & Bahls I already emphasized my interest in Latin America, especially in Argentina. So when the HR department introduced this new staff development initiative, it gave me a great opportunity to fulfil my dream of living in Argentina.

Did you know each other before?Carolina: We only knew each other from phone conversations as we both worked for the FUEL (International Trainee) Program which was launched in 2014. We met for the first time when Barbara came to Buenos Aires beginning of this year.Barbara: When I arrived in Buenos Aires, we spent roughly two months together to integrate me into the Oiltanking Latin American organization and arrange the handover. Now, after six months, with Caro back here, we are happy to share the same office and tasks.

What did / does the new posting mean for you career-wise?Carolina: It has been a wonderful learning experience, e. g. getting to know the “corporate world”, meeting people and understanding the relation between global and local and how we can better work together. I’m happy I also had the opportunity to travel and visit other European cities, and get to know other cultures and languages. I grew professionally and also as a person.Barbara: My new tasks are much broader than my previous ones and also sometimes new to me. It is fantastic to learn more about other areas of human resource management, and especially to see how the corporate center’s HR initiatives are implemented locally. This has broadened my horizon and helps me to better understand procedures within the company.

And, what did / does the exchange mean to you on a personal front?Carolina: It was challenging for me as this was my first time living abroad and on my own. It also meant leaving my husband alone at home … but fortunately nowadays Internet, Whatsapp and social media help to bridge distances! I came home more confident and outgoing, I am sure I will benefit from this in my work.


country Commission

Several months ago, Carolina Köhler and Barbara Walkshäusl embarked on a special adventure, becoming the first staff members to take part in a development assignment*. They swapped their positions in different Human Resource departments and their home countries: Carolina for six months and Barbara for 18 – 24 months. While Carolina moved from Buenos Aires to Hamburg, Barbara moved in exactly the opposite direction. What’s the story behind this exchange and what experiences did it bring for the two women?

C U LT U R A L E X P E R I E N C E SC U LT U R A L E X P E R I E N C E S

Cross-

* Unlike a "long-term assignment" which usually lasts up to five years and where the posted employee holds a key position, a “development assignment” is limited to a maximum of two years and is part of the company’s global talent management program. In this case the colleagues posted, benefit from this individual HR development scheme, and the global HR organization profits in terms of the exchange of knowledge and experience throughout the network, across borders and companies.

PORTRAIT Barbara Walkshäusl started as an HR Generalist Young Professionals in the HR department at Marquard & Bahls in Hamburg in 2011, after completing her studies and several internships. Since January 2015, she has worked as HR Analyst Latin America in the HR department at Oiltanking in Buenos Aires. Here she also serves as the contact for the HR teams in Hamburg and the HR colleagues from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Panama and Peru. Being on-site gives her an opportunity to get to know the local business requirements and HR challenges.

PORTRAIT Carolina Köhler joined the company in December 2013 as HR Analyst for Latin America. With seven years of experience at previous companies, her tasks at Oiltanking Argentina in Buenos Aires included assisting with the implementation and administration of corporate (HR) systems and policies as well as recruiting and training personnel. From April until September 2015, she worked in Hamburg before returning to her desk at Buenos Aires. During her six-month stay she familiarized herself with the central functions of the Corporate HR department (Process & Systems, Global Mobility & Compensation, Talent Management) and also got a good overview of the company’s global HR standards.

N O RT H A M E R I C A


Barbara: The day I left I had mixed feelings from pleasant anticipation to uncertainty: except for my two bags, I left everything behind: my family, friends, … but Skype etc. do help a lot with staying “close”. But whenever there’s another celebration back home that I cannot attend I realize how far away I am from Germany. On the other hand, the exchange brings me closer to a new culture and increases my understanding how things are outside Germany. The whole experience is so great and I’m more than happy to have the chance to live and work in this lovely city / country.

Was / is there a difference in the host country regarding the approach of employees? Carolina: Actually, the office in Buenos Aires is very small with just ten employees, from here we support the Latin American Region. So it feels a little bit like a family. In Hamburg, the large number of employees makes it difficult to get to know one another, especially in a short period.Barbara: I agree that work and family are interwoven in the Argentine office. There is a transparence and outspokenness that took me some time getting used to. The tasty Asado at the office every Friday for lunch is definitely second to none.

What surprised you about your host country? Carolina: I was amazed at how Germans care for the environment e. g. separating rubbish, using deposit bottles etc. Surprisingly most stores are closed on Sundays. But most amazing to me is Germany’s freak weather: rain, sunshine and storm can all happen on the same day! Barbara: Having dinner at 10 p.m. or even later

definitely needs getting used to. The economic situation with an annual inflation rate of 30 to 40 percent as well as the restrictions on import were sobering and made me rethink a lot of decisions: products aren’t always easily available and not at the price one expected. But above all, how to get stable money and how to secure it? These are things I never had to think about before.

What did / do you miss about home?Carolina: My family. And, although it is a cliché to say this, but I really longed for our typical family meetings on Sundays with our “Asado”, where we include different cuts of meat, salads, wine and most

important: family.Barbara: My family, friends, colleagues and decent „Brez’n” (soft pretzels)!

What would you like to take back home from your host country?Carolina: The little HARIBO gummy bears were my “must” every day in Hamburg, so I made sure I stocked up for Buenos Aires! Not sure how I will do this with my much-loved “Currywurst mit Pommes” (currywurst with French fries). I also think bakeries in Argentina really need to start making Franzbrötchen (pastry with cinnamon), so yummy!Barbara: The joy of life, contentment and this relaxed attitude everyone seems to have. Maybe an Asado with a succulent steak, a glass of Malbec, a cake with lots of dulce de leche (sugar caramelized in milk) for dessert accompanied by Argentine music and dance. And of course, the hours of sunlight …

C U LT U R A L E X P E R I E N C E S

HAMBURG

BUENOS AIRES

One of the main responsibilities of a chemical terminalis to preserve the product quality. Unlike crude oil terminals, where common piping can be used for multiple customers, chemical terminals are required to employ dedicated lines. At Oiltanking Texas City (OTTC), one can find dedicated lines for approximately 95 percent of the terminal’s 114 tanks. This allows OTTC to keep customers’ products isolated from one another. Such isolation is required to prevent the possibility of cross-contamination and product loss. The use of dedicated lines also eliminates the need to clean lines in between product transfers, saving costs as no waste is generated from unnecessary line cleanings.

OTTC is located in the middle of an industrial complex that houses three world-scale refineries and three major chemical plants. It currently handles over 54 different products across multiple customers. Each customer may have different material handling guidelines, adding another layer of complexity to the task of keeping product streams segregated. OTTC is concerned with the quality of the

material not only in the pipelines, but in the storage tanks as well. Each tank has a specific quality heel (lowest level the tank can reach during product transfers). This quality heel ensures that the product being loaded to the various shipping containers will meet each customers shipping quality specifications. OTTC personnel are also required to perform sampling for some of their customers’ storage tanks. Each tank is sampled at a frequency pre-determined by the customer; many are sampled on a weekly, bi-weekly and monthly basis. These samples are tested at off-site laboratories to ensure that the product quality remains within specification.

Given all the processes listed above it becomes clear that running a chemical terminal can be quite challenging. OTTC’s success of handling a variety of products is directly attributable to a well-trained and focused workforce, as well as possessing the appropriate infrastructure. In short: dedication at its best!

Chemical Terminals require the use of dedicated lines to keep products isolated from each other. Dedication is also needed from the staff coordinating and operating these lines, as the example of Oiltanking Texas City shows.

CRISS-CROSS Dedicated pipelines at Dock 65

UP AND DOWN Dedicated

pipelines at Dock 66

Dedicated to performance


L E I S U R E & E N T E RTA I N M E N T

For eleven years now, Simon Beck has been creating detailed geometrical designs high up in the mountains just by walking in snowshoes across freshly laid snow. He is the world’s first and most famous “Snow Artist”

whose works are both artistic and athletic performances.

“It all began as a bit of fun one day in 2004,” recalls Simon Beck. In December 2004, after a day of skiing, the Briton got the idea to draw a pattern on the small frozen lake in front of his place in the French Alps. “I had no idea how good it was going to look when I first made it. I was quite amazed when I saw it from the ski lift the next day,” he comments.

As an expert in orienteering and mapmaking, he only needs his compass and snowshoes, and preferably soft powder snow about 20 cm deep, with a hard surface underneath (so that walking isn’t too exhausting). And, precision of course, because stepping outside the designated path would disturb the snow and ruin the image. The first hour is the most important. After that he will have created an outline including the most important points, and a network of tracks going through the area is established. “After that, you can go from A to B quite easily”, he explains his line of action.

“Making these drawings is like an orienteering exercise, but in reverse.”

One of his drawings can cover an area of between two and eight soccer fields. It sometimes takes him up to twelve hours to finish it, and 48 km of walking, usually on his own, as he hardly has any assistance. The designs that work best seem to be fractals. “But I’m tired of Koch snowflakes and Sierpinsky triangles and prefer to draw something different”, says Simon Beck who liked to draw geometrical forms even as a child. “Something different” like dinosaurs, buildings and snow versions of the pyramids he has done in sand.

Over the years Simon Beck has created and completed

205 works in snow and 45 on sandy beaches, and has became world-famous for his amazing art. He especially likes to work on Lac Marlou, a lake by Les Arcs in the French Alps. His snow art installations are ephemeral but he does not mind the fact that they are easily destroyed by the wind or the sun, as long as he can continue making pictures. He even admits happily: “The sooner a site is covered by a decent new snowfall, the sooner I can re-use it for new art – and the less likely it is that someone else goes there with a camera and sells photos of my drawings!”

Read more about Simon Beck in his book “Snow Art” and on his website: http://snowart.gallery


GENERAL RULE It takes three hours to cover an area of a soccer field,

depending on the snow conditions and complexity of the design

PLOTTING THE COURSE Simon Beck needs to work with absolute precision

– C O O L A R T F O R M –

FLEETING BEAUTY The

snow art lasts only as long as

the weather holds

INTERESTING COURSE OF LIFE Simon Beck studied engineering at Oxford University, became a cartographer, worked mostly as a freelance orienteering mapmaker, and now is a world-famous snow artist

all pictures: © Simon Beck, SnowArt Gallery


First of all, a new Oiltanking team needed to be assembled. The first employee started on December 1, 2013, and was soon joined by 84 more – a larger-than-average team for a typical 420,000 cbm terminal, to be sure. However, in this case it was crucial for the intensive tank truck and barge operations. Finding the right people was a real challenge. Some team members were relocated from the Oiltanking terminal in Cartagena, while 40 percent of the team was hired from local villages in the terminal’s neighborhood.

Learning from each other

The first pre-operative period was devoted to training, with a focus on Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE), basic soft skills, and introducing new hires to the Oiltanking philosophy. A facility familiarization program was initiated at a later stage, once the terminal started to show real progress. Several Oiltanking facilities welcomed key personnel for training and visits. Hands-on training in truck loading was held at the Oiltanking facility in Cartagena, Colombia; pipeline and terminal management was learned from the colleagues in Puerto Rosales, Argentina; and training in crude oil handling and jetty operations in Houston, USA. Once basic training had been completed, the

In late 2011, Oiltanking Colombia signed a service agreement to manage a tank terminal project for Sociedad Portuaria Bahía S.A. Two years later, Oiltanking Colombia was also granted the operations and maintenance (O&M) contract for the facility for 10 years. The path from contract signing to actually managing the tank terminal in Puerto Bahía for the second-largest oil producer in Colombia, Pacific Exploration & Production Corp. involved much internal knowledge transfer and many personnel challenges.

preparation of procedures and work instructions commenced, using the Assets & Operations (A&O) guidelines and the Oiltanking Information Management System (OTIMS). Meanwhile a “heating team” was busy completing a project assigned to Oiltanking: in order to store heavy crude oils, two tanks required insulation and the installation of a heating system.

The early startup date finally arrived on June 1, 2015, and the terminal’s personnel and equipment were put to the test when the terminal received its first tank truck with crude oil that day. Operations have gone smoothly since day one and are increasing steadily. In their first three months, the colleagues have already handled 2,700 trucks, 70 barges and 5 seagoing vessels!

The official opening ceremony for the facility was held on August 29, 2015, with the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia and several ministers in attendance, along with the shareholders of Pacific E&P. “It gives great satisfaction to witness how something that began as a few circles and lines drawn on paper has today become a world-class terminal,” commented Mauricio Orias, Terminal Manager O&M, in Puerto Bahía.

Oiltanking Colombia is poised for big business after Puerto Bahía received its first tank truck on June 1, 2015 and celebrated its official opening ceremony on August 29, 2015.

L AT I N A M E R I C AL AT I N A M E R I C A

FRONT ROW Just some of the many colleagues who helped make the project and the O&M contract possible

DEVELOPMENT From a few circles and lines on paper to a world-class terminal

AFTER The jetty with two berths is big enough for Panamax and Suezmax-

sized vessels

Oiltanking Colombia in Full Swing

734094545239523082403479234802340823840238042480524805248602486024680246802468024473462345784025072358249502935802357023758245823507235087230750582375235976956892 734094545239523082403479234802340823840238042480524805248602486024680246802468024473462345784025072358249502

A liquefied gas is a gas that can be stored in liquid form by cooling or compressing it. Products relevant in Oiltanking’s business include liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ammonia and nitrogen. By transforming these products into their liquid state, the same amount of product or mass can take just a fraction of the volume needed under atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature.

For instance LPG, which can vary in its composition from a single gas to a mixture of propane, propylene, butane and butylenes, normally has an expansion ratio of 1:270. This means that 1

liter of LPG liquid expands to about 270 liters of vapors at 15 °C and 1 atm of pressure, depending on the exact composition. Another element commonly used in utility systems at Oiltanking’s terminals is nitrogen. Depending on its availability and distribution, many terminals store nitrogen as a liquid, making the storage feasible due to its expansion ratio of 1:691. Neon has the highest expansion ratio of all gases – 1:1434.

But storage of liquefied gases is not only about expansion rate, for the product state is the result of the correlation between temperature and pressure. The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns to a gas. So, in the context of refrigeration or cryogenic storage at atmospheric pressure, products such as ammonia, LPG, LNG require a storage below their boiling points, which are about -33 °C, -42 °C, and -162 °C respectively, in order to stay liquid. In the periodic table, the element with the lowest boiling point is helium, which needs to be stored at -269 °C if it is to remain liquid at atmospheric pressure. But if one considers, say, a regular 20-pound cylinder of LPG – like the ones used for gas grills – the product stays liquid at ambient temperature thanks to the pressure inside the vessel. When such a tank containing round about 19 liter of LPG breaks or is opened, the product would (theoretically) expand to a 2 m spherical vapor cloud (with 100 percent product content).

NUMBER

1:2701:270


Oiltanking Terminais Brazil carries out an Organizational Climate Survey every two years with a view to increasing employee motivation and identifying critical aspects that define employees’ motivation through the recognition of their strengths, weaknesses, expectations and aspirations. Besides pinning down improvement actions, the survey also takes into consideration employees’ job experience so that their daily work issues can be solved.

This year the project was outsourced to a company specializing in workplace climate surveys, with the support of the Oiltanking Terminais Human Resources (HR) department. The questionnaires were distributed online to all employees on August 10. The 87 questions covered the following broad themes: integration

and communication, management style, remuneration and benefits, opportunities for growth within the company, image of the company, quality and productivity, quality of life, commitment, fair treatment, respect and dealing with conflicts.

In a subsequent step, a psychologist from the outsourced company interviewed all the employees in operations with a view to identifying critical new aspects that were not covered by the questionnaire. The

expectation is that the combination of the information extracted from the two steps (questionnaire and interviews) would make this process more complete. Participants are not identified by name, which guaranteesconfidentiality and openness.

The project was implemented in 2013 and action plans were derived from the results in order to address highlighted critical aspects. The results and action plans were presented to employees in a transparent way, which is somethingthat has generated a high credibilityamong them.

The Climate Survey 2015 saw 100 percent employee response, including those who were on vacation and came to the company voluntarily

to answer the questionnaire. Because the interviews were performed until beginning of September, the detailed evaluation process had not been completed by the editorial deadline. However, the preliminary results for the 2015 Employee Satisfaction Survey show a positive evaluation from the employees in all of the above-mentioned topics.

Oiltanking Terminais Brazil believes that surveys work as an accurate diagnosis of the actual climate at an organization. They make it possible to identify, through collaborative action, strong points, as well as issues that need improvement. It is this contribution that makes the company a highly regarded employer.

L AT I N A M E R I C A

GIVEAWAY A daybook made of recycled paper was distributed to each employee who participated

MOMENT OF TRUTH An operator answering the questionnaire

What’s the Office Climate Like?


In August 2015, it was time for the Organizational Climate Survey at Oiltanking Terminais Brazil again. What is the purpose of this biennial survey, and what were this year’s results?

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L E I S U R E & E N T E RTA I N M E N TL E I S U R E & E N T E RTA I N M E N T

CONNECTIONS32

I scream, you scream … we all scream for ice cream

Miracles of Beauty

Ice cream seems to be a craving that transcends national and age boundaries alike. While today ice cream is available to the masses, until 1800 it remained a rare and exotic dessert reserved mostly for the elite. Around that time, insulated ice houses were invented, paving the way for ice cream manufacturing to become an industry. Soon ice cream moved out into the streets with vendors who announced their tasty cool treats with catchy jingles. Immediate indulgence was guaranteed with the invention of the ice cream cone. Nowadays, the most exotic thing about ice cream may be the new flavors constantly being created: strawberry, vanilla and chocolate are so yesterday. Today it’s got to be “smoked gouda” or “basil avocado,” and who knows what new flavors tomorrow will bring? According to statistica’s results for the “global ice cream market” (2015), this market is estimated to be on the increase, and will be worth about 54 billion US$ (48 billion Euro) in 2016. Research shows that innovative flavors with a focus on health benefits will boost per-household consumption. A visit to the gelato museum in Bologna, Italy, will make you cherish your next ice cream all the more. This center of

intercultural excellence is dedicated to the evolution of gelato* (Italian for ice cream) over time, the history of production technology and the places and ways in which it is consumed. The museum may be small (1,000 m2), but it offers a variety of experiences ranging from ice cream tasting to a one-day crash course in making artisan ice cream. Those who want to become a real gelatiere

could enroll at the Carpigiani Gelato University, the first university course dedicated to artisan

gelati. The four-week course and internship take place in Bologna as well as various training sites around the globe.

You may be familiar with the phrase "no two snowflakes are alike." This discovery was in fact made in the small rural town of Jericho, Vermont (USA) by Wilson A. Bentley (1865-1931). The self-

educated farmer attracted worldwide attention with his pioneering work in the area of photomicrography,

most notably his extensive work with snow crystals (commonly known as snowflakes). By affixing a microscope

to a bellows camera, and after years of trial and error, he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal in 1885. He would go on to capture more than 5,000 snowflakes during his lifetime, not finding any two alike. His snow-crystal photomicrographs were acquired by colleges and universities throughout the world, and he wrote many articles for magazines and journals including, Scientific American and National Geographic. In 1931, he published his book "Snow Crystals" containing more than 2,400 photographs of snow crystals. Because of his wonderful work with snow crystals, he was affectionately known as "Snowflake" Bentley. From time to time Bentley’s adage was brought into question, especially when referring to smaller crystals with simple shapes. However, the scientific consensus still is that it is very unlikely for two larger snow crystals to be identical in molecular structure and appearance.

We owe some of the world’s coolest inventions to people who kept a cool head while their brain was overheating with the effort of coming up with innovative ideas and searching for clever solutions. Here are two truly “cool” creations that lend a whole new meaning to the words “ice age”.

HANDS ON An ever-increasing number of students at the Carpigiani

Gelato University underlines the interest in artisan gelato

FOCUSED Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley at work

CRYSTAL CLEAR Just some of the more than 5,000 snowflakes Wilson

Bentley managed to photograph

all pictures: © gelato Museum, Bologna, www.gelatomuseum.org, www.gelatouniversity.com

* There are significant differences between “gelato” and “ice cream”. The former is freshly produced every day, has less incorporated air (therefore more flavor), is served at a higher temperature and, has fewer calories. The latter uses ingredients designed for lengthy storage and is made in large industrial batches.

Classics!

“Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemeda shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others.”Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley

SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOP Just as back then in 1958 at the fair in Bologna people of all ages like a cool treat

© Wilson Bentley Digital Archives of the Jericho Historical Society/snowflakebentley.com

L E I S U R E & E N T E RTA I N M E N TL E I S U R E & E N T E RTA I N M E N T


Why does your mouth feel cold when you suck a peppermint? Cool as a

cucumber?

What is the difference between the Celsius*, Fahrenheit* und Kelvin* temperature scales?

What is the Mpemba Effect?

The cricket as a thermometer?

The menthol in mint contains proteins that mimic the response to cold temperatures on the human nervous system. Receptor neurons in your mouth (TRPM8) that are usually stimulated into opening by temperatures under 12 °C bond with these menthol proteins and release the “it’s cold” signal to the brain.

Modern tennis balls have a hollow rubber core, are covered in premium woven cloth, and then steamed to obtain the fluffy exterior. The pressurized air inside makes the ball bounce. Temperature has an effect on pressure and hence on the amount of bounce. And so, at the Wimbledon Cup, for example, tennis balls are stored at 20 °C to keep them in perfect condition.

This phrase, first recorded in John Gay's Poems, New Song on New Similes, (1732), does not refer merely to the state of being imperturbable. The inside temperature of a cucumber (which contains more than 90 percent water) can actually be up to 20 °C cooler than the outside air.

The Fahrenheit scale divides the difference between the boiling (212 °F) and freezing point (32 °F) of water into 180 equal degrees, while the Celsius scale uses 100 equal degrees between the freezing (0 °C) and boiling point (100 °C).The Kelvin scale is based on a single point called absolute zero (minus 459.67 °F, minus 273.15 °C) which is assigned a value of 0 degrees. From there, the scale increases by degrees that are the same size as Celsius degrees. This scale, which is most widely used in science, is based on energy content rather than on arbitrary temperature values like the other two scales (which are based on water) and used in daily life. Water freezes at 273.15 °K and boils at 373.15 °K .

Erasto Mpemba, a Tanzanian high-school student, was freezing hot ice-cream mix when he noticed that a hot mix actually freezes faster than a cold mix. Initially ridiculed, he eventually managed to prove that his observation is right. Now called the "Mpemba Effect," the

phenomenon was also noted by Aristotle, Francis Bacon and René Descartes.

According to Dolbear’s* law one can calculate the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit by counting the number of chirps produced in 14 seconds by the snowy tree cricket (also known as the thermometer cricket) and adding 40. The chirping of the more common field crickets is not as reliable as their chirping dependse. g. on age.

Being referred to as “real cool” appears to be quite a distinction for some people. However, what exactly it takes to be “cool” may vary depending on one’s personal judgement and the ever-changing Zeitgeist, which can value attitudes, behaviors, appearance and style differently over the years. Here are some questions it might be cool to know the answers to.

°Fahrenheit = °Celsius × 1.8 + 32°Fahrenheit = (K-273.15) × 1.8 + 32

* Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, German physicist, engineer and glassblower (1686-1736); Anders Celsius, Danish astronomer, physicist and mathematician (1701-1744); Lord William Thomson Kelvin, British physicist and engineer (1824-1907); Amos Dolbear, American physicist and inventor (1837-1910)

questionsQuaint

Why are tennis balls kept in cool storage?

picture © Wil Hershberger

P E O P L E & P L A C E SP E O P L E & P L A C E S


A new season Hats off for a creative as well as beautiful idea colleagues at the Oiltanking Tallinn terminal in Estonia came up with: they reused old red safety helmets to plant pelargonium in them. With the black soil and the red-white combination of the blossoms the flowerpots reflect the Oiltanking colors and provide a decorative enhancement to the entrance to the office.

Europe On June 26, 2015, the hearts of more than 50 participants beat higher during the summer party at the Oiltanking Hamburg tank terminal. That may be because on the one hand, this event at the terminal is always a joyful event for employees and their families – a sociable afternoon with fun and games which invariably segues into a delicious evening barbecue. But this year, the bouncy castle – a highlight for young and old – probably played its part in boosting everyone’s adrenaline levels. The party was the third in a row and once again offered everything one’s heart could possibly desire!

North America Deep in the heart of Texas, things can really heat up in the summertime, with temperatures reaching well over a 100 °F (38 °C and above). Oiltanking Texas City likes to cool down at its annual picnic at Palm Beach on Galveston Island. Employees and their families enjoy chilling out as they float along in the lazy river or splash about in the wave pool at the Moody Gardens Theme Park. Some like to just relax in the shade of an umbrella, enjoying the ocean breeze and a refreshing beverage. No matter how one chooses to stay cool, it’s always great fun to spend the day with the Oiltanking family.

Europe In September 2015, colleagues from Oiltanking Stolthaven Antwerp experienced a very different working day when they met just outside Breda, the Netherlands, for their staff outing. Throughout the day, they enjoyed numerous team games such as a caterpillar run, and finding their way in a corn-field maze, ... all in the spirit of enhancing team spirit and cooperation. The day was rounded off by a relaxed, fun and tasty barbecue.

Europe Seven colleagues from Oiltanking Amsterdam, supported by four acquaintances, showed their sporty side again when they took part in this year's 10 English miles (16,09 km) Dam to Damloop on September 20. The run, which starts in Amsterdam and ends in Zaandam, is one of the largest running events in the world with almost 50,000 participants in total this year. It is also part of the Dam to Dam weekend that

attracts around 85,000 entrants yearly which makes it the biggest sportive weekend in the Netherlands. The official charities Right To Play and Stichting Witte Bedjes (both provide aid for children in need) were generously supported this year thanks to all participants and donations. The Oiltanking Amsterdam colleagues and two other groups ran for one of the smaller charities Lopen voor Leukemie (running for leukemia), “running up” well over Euro 8,000 in support.

ON THE BEACH Scooter Wilson could really get used to this place!

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

Oiltanking safety helmets serve a new purpose in

greeting visitors as well as

employees

NutshellIn a

Peru On July 31, the Oiltanking Andina Services and Oiltanking Peru teams met in the city of Paracas to celebrate Peru’s Independence Day with a lunch at the Paracas Luxury Collection Resort. In his words of welcome, General Manager Darío Di Luca highlighted the major phases of the operations carried out in Pisco, Peru, as well as the importance of the recently signed five-year Marine Berth Operations contract with Pluspetrol Perú Corporation S.A., which runs from July 2015 to 2020. He also underlined the importance of occupational health and safety in operations and of taking a proactive attitude to one’s job.The day also provided the perfect setting for honoring colleagues who have been with the company for five, ten or fifteen years. And so the lunch gathering turned into a wonderful afternoon of compliments and congratulations and the reassuring feeling that colleagues are indeed dedicated to the company.

JUMP FOR JOY This year’s summer party at Oiltanking Hamburg was a big success

JOINING FORCES Teamwork was the order of the day during the staff outing as well

RUN FOR CHARITY The Oiltanking Amsterdam

colleagues were again among the participants of this year's

Dam to Damloop

© Blik en Bloos Fotografie

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R E A D E R ' S C O R N E R

... and Action!Try to solve our riddle and don't miss out on the chance to win! Please send your entries to: [email protected], or contact us by post: Oiltanking GmbH, connections Team, Admiralitaetstrasse 55, 20459 Hamburg, Germany, or by fax: +49 40 370 99-499.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

N E W Q U I Z

Quiz Solution

Do you know how to do it?

We hope you weren’t too cross with our previous quiz, which included colors and symbol characters like the cross and the sun. It would be understandable, as it was quite a time-consuming and difficult one, as quizzes go. However, your patience and power of deduction have paid off, and the sun now rises on our winners: Romel Perez Huerta, Terminales del Perú, Sadasivan Sankaran, IOT, Adriaan Riemens, Oiltanking Terneuzen, Nicole Strauch, Total Deutschland GmbH. Congratulations on getting the answers right! Fingers crossed that they will like the USB ports, which are already on their way to their mailboxes!

Due to differences in atmospheric pressure and temperature, ice can form in 16 separate known phases with different crystalline structures. The one you need for this quiz is Ice Ih, also known as the ice cubes conveniently found in your freezer. Fill a glass with water and add the ice cube. Try to remove the ice cube – but without getting your

hands wet or moving the glass. The only aid allowed is a thread. We look forward to reading the

cool solutions you came up with to win an Oiltanking Wellness Set.

Please make sure to send them to us by January 29, 2016, otherwise they

will be put on ice. Good luck!

CONNECTIONS38

P E O P L E & P L A C E S

How come? Road salt may be a common sight in Europe during the winter months, when the temperatures drop to freezing point. But during the summer? In fact the Dutch province of Gelderland found itself forced to do so on several provincial roads when temperatures

increased above 30 °C at the beginning of July 2015. “Sweat stains” appeared on streets that had recently been given a new coat of asphalt, as the new binder broke down. By using road salt and brine, the wet and soft spots were made less liquid and viscous.

Cool stuff, baby! It doesn't have to be a cool photo in order to share your happiest moments with us and our readers. We are looking forward to receiving photos of your wedding and / or the new addition to the family by January 29, 2016, at the latest.

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“It’s that time of year again” In December 2014, the Oiltanking colleagues at the terminal in Nanjing, China, came up with some rather creative festive decorations: They enlarged the instructions for a craft project (a supplement for testing one’s “engineering skills” in the April 2012 issue of connections), built an XXXL paper version of the original one and placed it in their “Christmas corner.” We wonder what this year’s decorations will look like!

North America In August 2015 the Oiltanking North American Managers attended the Values and Priorities Workshop at Picosa Ranch outside of San Antonio, Texas. For the first time since the sale of OILT, the new management team was able to spend some quality team-building time together, while learning the Marquard & Bahls values and priorities. All 20 participants agreed: It was a success!

Singapore As Singapore marked the 50th anniversary of its independence with nationwide celebrations in August 2015, the Oiltanking terminal in Singapore also reached an important milestone in 2015: 25 years of successful operations. While Oiltanking’s initial footprint in the city-state was 260,000 cbm, the storage capacity of its three world-class terminals in Singapore now exceeds 2.2 million cbm. To celebrate these achievements and also to thank shareholders, colleagues, clients and contractors in Singapore for their dedication and loyalty, Oiltanking hosted an impressive dinner party for them on October 8.

REASON TO CELEBRATE In the 25 years of its existence, Oiltanking

in Singapore has developed into a center of expertise

L AS T B U T N OT L E AS T

© Steve Nicol

Dr. Steve Nicol, Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, led the AAD’s (Australian Antarctic Division) Southern Ocean Ecosystems program for 20 years. During this time, he participated in eight long research voyages to the waters off East Antarctica, where he came across the region’s chief “scenic delights”: icebergs. They are formed from chunks of glacial ice – built up from snow falling on the Antarctic continent over millennia – that break free from great ice shelves. This ice consists of pure freshwater. As seawater is drawn deep under the ice shelves by oceanic currents, it becomes super-cooled and can freeze to the base of the ice shelf. Often the frozen seawater contains organic matter and minerals, causing it to have a different color and texture. As a result, icebergs that have broken off from ice shelves may have multicolored layers. As the icebergs become fragmented and sculptured by wind and waves, they can also develop striking patterns – like the stunning jade iceberg formations, which are, however, infrequently seen as their verdant bellies are only revealed once they turn over. Or blue-striped icebergs, where freshwater filled cracks in the ice and froze so quickly that no bubbles were formed. Here the ice (actually quite transparent) looks blue because light from the blue end of the spectrum is reflected while red light is absorbed. Thanks to their stripes all icebergs often look like striped candy – in any case, they are eye candy!

A Different Stripe