Refined Fuels Analytics (RFA) is a division within the RBN organization that specializes in consulting and advisory services for the refining industry, analysis for refined fuels markets and research into the key issues facing participants across the value chains for traditional hydrocarbon and renewable fuels. RFA builds on a broad industry-wide knowledge base and team of experts to analyze trends and provide clients with strategic, commercial, and technical services.
Learn more about the Future of Fuels Report here
Read the Blog, "Good Lookin', So Refined - RBN's New Consulting Team: Refined Fuels Analytics"
Managing Director, RBN – RFA
John was previously the team leader for TM&C’s market outlook publications and assignments and provided senior leadership to TM&C’s analyses of the worldwide refining industry and leads industry studies for the firm’s clients. He has specific expertise in the areas of refining economics and planning, LP modeling, downstream asset valuation, crude oil valuation and capital investment/strategic planning. John joined the firm in 1987 after a career with Exxon Corp., where he held various positions at its Baytown, Texas refinery. He holds a BS (1980) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nebraska and an MBA (1984) from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He is a licensed professional engineer in Texas and Nebraska and is also a member of TSPE and AIChE.
Manager of Refined Fuels, RBN – RFA
Mr. Robert Auers is RBN – RFA’s primary refinery modeler and refined fuels market analyst. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Robert is an active CFA Charterholder. Robert has nine years of total industry experience split between Western Refining’s El Paso Refinery (now owned by Marathon) and Turner, Mason & Co. He is experienced in petroleum refining and renewable diesel economics, process engineering, process design, and HazOp review.
Areas of Expertise Include (Click Headings For More Details)
Consulting and Advisory Services
- RFA served as the co-lead consultant assisting a major national oil company in their efforts to acquire refining assets in the United States. These efforts resulted in several major acquisitions and joint venture investments. To support these transactions, the firm developed several required Independent Market and Technical Reports.
- Extensive advisory services have been provided in several M&A efforts involving refining assets, working on both the buy and sell sides. These typically involved developing independent economic forecasts for the refining assets in question, using independently developed market and price forecasts.
- Corporate strategic reviews have been conducted for both integrated and refining-specific companies to determine whether to acquire, expand, divest, or maintain refining operations. These consulting engagements have, in several instances, significantly impacted the corporate direction and asset bases of the client companies.
- A competitive assessment was conducted of a major independent refiner's regional assets to support investment, sale, or shutdown decisions. This involved both qualitative and quantitative economic forecasts for the client's assets and competitors' facilities.
Market Analysis and Forecasting
- Expertise has been developed in evaluating alternative fuels markets and production economics. The team has participated in numerous projects evaluating both potential new projects and existing facilities. These engagements typically include assessments of potential policy impacts in these regulatory-driven markets.
- Economic forecasts have been developed and conducted for major capital spending programs for several large U.S. refining clients. These projects usually involved using independently developed market and price forecasts.
Engineering and Valuation
- The team has served as an Independent Engineer, in both market and technical roles, for various major refinery project financing efforts. These engagements often required initial reports and annual reviews, along with assessments of the actual and budgeted performance of the project assets.
- Various other refinery and refined product valuation assessments have been performed to service a broad range of client requirements. These include calculations of business interruption insurance amounts, Ad Valorem Tax valuations, Independent Joint Venture allocations, and the valuation of refined products and crude oils in contract disputes.
Recent Customers and Experience
Types of Clients Served
- Major national oil companies involved in large-scale acquisitions and strategic asset management.
- Independent refiners requiring competitive assessment and market analysis for investment or divestment decisions.
- Investment firms and corporations engaged in M&A activities within the oil and gas sectors, seeking advisory services and economic forecasting.
- Clients exploring the viability and economic impacts of alternative fuels projects, needing regulatory and market evaluations.
- Entities engaged in legal and contractual disputes over refined product valuations and market performance.
Areas of Experience
- Comprehensive advisory services in refinery asset acquisition, investment, and strategic management.
- Mergers and acquisitions in the oil and gas industries, with a focus on independent market and price forecasting.
- Market analysis and policy impact assessments in the alternative fuels sector.
- Independent engineering assessments for project financing, including performance reviews and financial evaluations.
- Valuation assessments in business interruption, tax considerations, joint ventures, and contractual disputes.
Future of Fuels Report - Now Available
RBN’s Refined Fuels Analytics division (RFA) publishes a biannual study exploring the outlook for crude oil, refined products, and renewables markets called, "Future of Fuels: RFA Outlook for Crude Oil, Refined Products, Biofuels, and EVs." The report provides comprehensive analysis and forecasts for the key factors influencing petroleum market dynamics – prices and price relationships, petroleum supply and demand, alternative fuels, and refining capacity and utilization. For more information, CLICK HERE.
View RFA's launch press release here
