Maximizing Diesel Fuel Production:
Strategies for the Global Increase in Demand for Middle Distillate

-How to start developing strategies to deal with the global demand shift away from gasoline and toward middle distillate
- What technologies are available to take advantage of rapid demand surges (and declines) in regional markets -- so you can capture margin opportunities before they slip away
- How to prepare for the next spike in diesel prices and demand
- What are the market forces driving the short-, medium and long-term trends

Salvatore (Sal) Torrisi

Salvatore (Sal) Torrisi is currently Global Business Manager for Distillate Catalysts for Criterion Catalysts & Technologies. Previously, he was Clean Fuels Technical Specialist, responsible for Clean Fuels project coordination and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel technology application.

Sal has been with Criterion since 1996, where he has worked in a variety of assignments including R&D, new product commercialization and technical services. Prior to joining Criterion, Sal spent 10 years at Exxon in a range of assignments including process engineering, technical service and R&D. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Ray Fletcher

Ray Fletcher graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1987. He began his career with Shell Oil and later worked for Texaco Refining. Ray spent a total of seven years working as a Process Engineer on the several process units including the Fluidized Catalytic Cracker, Hydrotreaters, Catalytic Reformers, Alkylation, and Catalytic Polymerization. Ray was employed with Akzo Nobel holding a wide range of positions including FCC Technical Service Engineer, FCC Technical Service Manager, & Global FCC Development Manager. Ray is currently employed with Intercat Europe as a Senior Technologist. Ray has authored several papers covering various technical issues related to the FCC.

Terrence S Higgins
Director, Refining and Special Projects
Hart/IRI Fuels Information Services

Mr. Higgins has over 35 years experience in various capacities associated with the petroleum refining and related energy industries industry. He has been with Hart Energy Consulting for the past 8 years managing consulting activities associated with analysis of global oil markets, refining, refined product supply, demand and quality, and biofuel integration. He joined Hart after 14 years with the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) where he served as Technical Director. He has also held positions in private sector energy/environmental consulting, the U.S. Department of Energy, Amerada Hess and Texaco.

Jack Peckham

Jack Peckham is executive editor in Hart's downstream energy group. Jack came to Hart 13 years ago to found Hart's Diesel Fuel News; he's been the editor ever since. He is also the editor of Hart's Gasification News. Prior to joining Hart, Jack was editor of U.S. Oil Week (which at the time was part of the Financial Times of London group). He was graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit (B.A. journalism 1979). Upon graduation, he joined Knight-Ridder newspapers as a reporter. Prior to that he worked in weekly newspapers. In total, Jack has been a professional journalist for 35 years, much of that time covering energy.