In a deal that signals Conoco’s focus on Group II and III base stocks, the Houston energy company has agreed to sell its share in the Cit-Con lubricant and wax refinery to partner Citgo Petroleum Corp. Acquisition of Conoco’s 35 percent interest gives Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Citgo sole ownership of the Lake Charles, La., base oil refinery, and ends a partnership that built the facility more than 45 years ago. The sixth-largest paraffinic lubricants refinery in the United States, its ca...

D.A. Stuart Co. plans to sell its Los Angeles lubricant plant, apparently to Goldenwest Lubricants Inc., of South El Monte, Calif. Officials at Warrenville, Illionois-based Stuart said they have reached an agreement in principle but refused to identify the purchaser. A plant employee, however, said those at the facility have been notified that it is being bought by Goldenwest, a manufacturer of metalworking fluids, industrial oils, cleaners, specialty lubricants and greases. Goldenwest officials...

As her previous employer, Texaco, prepared to shed its interest in the Equilon and Motiva joint ventures, Equilon Lubricants President Louise Nemanich announced plans to retire at the end of next month. An internal memo provided by the company did not mention Texaco’s plans to divest its share of Equilon and Motiva as part of its effort to merge with Chevron. The memo said Nemanich is retiring to spend more time with her family and to teach at an unnamed university. Chevron and Texaco offi...