HOUSTON — At its Nov. 8 meeting here, members of the American Petroleum Institute’s influential Lubricants Committee reviewed progress toward PC-10, the next diesel engine oil upgrade, and the critical issue of how to fund its development. They also heard reports on the status of the API engine oil licensing and quality audit program. PC-10, which stands for Proposed Category 10, is already under intensive development, with the principal technical work being conducted in ASTM’s...

Citgo Petroleum Corp. confirmed yesterday that an internal study called for upgrading its Lake Charles, La., base oil plant to produce Group II and Group III oils. Now the company wants to know if an outside analyst reaches the same conclusion. Company officials told a gathering of lubricant distributors in October that it has contracted an engineering firm to evaluate options for its base oil business. A decision could be made before the end of 2005. Citgo also said it is redirecting advertisin...

The 2008 summer Olympics are still three and a half years away, but Sinopec Corp. has already hitched its flagship lubricant brand to the event, which will be held in Beijing. The company announced Nov. 23 that its Great Wall brand has been designated official lubricant for the 2008 games. Sinopec officials said the sponsorship will provide increased visibility for Great Wall, both at home and abroad. As the world’s premier sporting event, the Olympic Games will help Sinopec present its ex...

The American Petroleum Institute yesterday began licensing its much-awaited new gasoline engine oil quality upgrade, designated SM. At its Lubricants Committee meeting Nov. 8 in Houston, API staffer Kevin Ferrick reported that 59 applicant engine oils were in the system at the end of October, awaiting the start of licensing. He noted later that these oils were on a fast track for licensing, and pointed out that oils which had passed all SM testing requirements could claim SM quality on the label...

Valvoline last month announced the promotions of Mitchell K. Skaggs and Robert R. Craycraft to new senior management positions. The automotive consumer products marketer also hired Scott R. Vogel to be president of Valvoline Instant Oil Change and named former VIOC President John Q. Wesley to be senior vice president and general manager for Valvolines DIFM (do-it-for-me) Distributor Group business unit. Skaggs was promoted to vice president of worldwide operations and supply chain, replacing Jam...