April 2024 Issue Highlights

SHELL TO ACQUIRE BREWER OIL'S RETAIL DIVISION

Shell has signed an agreement to acquire 45 service stations in New Mexico from Brewer Oil Company's retail division. The purchase price for the sale, which was announced in February, was not disclosed.

Included in the deal are convenience stores, cardlocks, and service stations in New Mexico, which will become part of Shell's Mobility Company Operations division. Shell officials said they expect approximately 450 Brewer Oil employees will join Shell as part of the acquisition "providing the foundation for Shell's retail footprint in New Mexico."

The acquisition of the Brewer Oil sites marks Shell's entrance into the New Mexico retail market.

Brewer Oil has been working with Shell for over 50 years, marketing Shell's wholesale products since the 1970s.

"The acquisition of Brewer will strengthen our company-owned footprint in the U.S. as we continue to target opportunities for paced retail growth in key markets," said Istvan Kapitany, executive vice president, Shell Mobility, announcing the deal. "Brewer's expansive customer base and desirable locations will deliver immediate value as we strive to meet customers' evolving needs and provide a premium refueling and retailing experience."

In the United States, Shell owns and operates approximately 200 service stations and convenience stores.

BYRNES OIL ACQUIRES JUNIPER FUEL

PENDLETON, OR. — Byrnes Oil Company Inc., based in Pendleton, OR., has acquired the assets of Juniper Fuel of Redmond, OR., effective as of March 1, 2024.

Juniper Oil was launched in 1975 when Jon Wren purchased of Endicott Oil with operations in Redmond, Prineville, and Sisters, Oregon in 1975.

The company expanded again in 1980, when Wren purchased Pugn Oil with operations in Madras, Culver, and Metolius, Oregon.

Juniper distributed gasoline, diesel, home heating oil, lubricants, and aviation fuel under the Phillips 66 and Shell brands across central Oregon.

Mitch Byrnes, vice president of Byrnes Oil, said, "With the purchase of Juniper Fuel, we will be better able to serve our ever-growing customer base, and we are now in the Central Oregon market, which has been expanding for quite some time.

"We could not be more excited to welcome the team from Juniper Fuel into our Byrnes Oil Family, as well as their current customers," added Byrnes.

Byrnes Oil, which also operates as a family-owned company, was founded in 1963 to serve eastern Oregon and Washington. Founded by Gordon and Helen Byrnes as a Standard Oil Company jobbership, the firm is led by President Sam Byrnes, the son of the founders.

Prior to the acquisition of Juniper Fuel, Byrnes operated bulk plants in Pendleton, La Grande, and Baker City, Oregon as well as Walla Walla, Washington to supply fuels, DEF, and lubricants. The company also operates 22 cardlock facilities in Oregon and Washington on the Pacific Pride and CFN networks.

ACC&ES TO PAY $150,000 IN FINES FOR INFLATED TANK FUND INVOICES

SACRAMENTO, CA. — Associated Consulting Civil & Environmental Services has agreed to pay $150,000 in penalties for submitting inflated invoices for remediation work to the California State Water Resources Control Board's Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund.

According to the Water Board, the invoices Associated Consulting Civil & Environmental Services submitted for reimbursement by the fund "inflated labor hours, costs on rental units and subtractor costs and was repaid for ineligible expenses."

As part of the settlement, the Los Angeles-based consulting firm and its principal owner, Hamid Assadi, are also disqualified from participating in future State Water Board funding programs. In addition, Associated Consulting Civil & Environmental Services and Assadi will be listed on the Water Board's website to let potential customers know they have been disqualified from working for the state.

"This consulting firm's deceptive business practices do a disservice to the honest companies who do the important work of cleaning up underground storage tank sites that are toxic and a threat to human health and the environment," stated Yvonne West, director of the board's Office of Enforcement.

West added, "Fraud prevention staff diligently review reimbursement requests and, if our investigation reveals fraudulent submissions, we will take swift and aggressive action."