Volume 5 Issue 40

Rita's Hangover: Base Oil Plants Still Closed

The U.S. lubricant industry continued holding its breath this week as four base oil plants remained closed in the wake of Hurricane Rita. The refineryhousing one plant was scheduled to begin restarting today, but the operator for another said it would likely remained sidelined for approximately two more weeks. Ten days after the storm, the other two refiners still offered little information about their facilities and no projection of when they might be back in business. Lube blenders generally a...

Shortages Spur Engine Oil Licensing Relief

The American Petroleum Institute took steps Monday to ensure that engine oil marketers can continue to license new products, despite the recent Gulf of Mexico hurricanes and their possible impact on the lubricant supply chain. The action is intended to guard against engine oil licensing being brought to a standstill or significantly delayed by industrywide supply disruptions, said the institutes Dennis Bachelder. In an Oct. 3 teleconference, APIs Lubricants Committee voted to issue an Emergency ...

Toyota Urges Lighter Oils for Asia

BANGKOK – Eking out fuel savings wherever it can, Toyota Motor Corp. is urging customers throughout Asia to use engine oils no heavier than 10W-30, an official with the company said during a base oil conference here last month. The pitch drew skepticism from some lubricant industry observers, who speculated that drivers in some countries will be reluctant to stop using high-viscosity oils. In a Sept. 15 presentation to F&L Asias Asia-Pacific Base Oil Conference, Toyotas Fumio Ueda said...

Two Strikes and Out for Total Plant

Total was forced to close its refinery and base oil plant in Gonfreville, France, last week because of a strike – the second labor walk-off at the complex in September. The shutdown temporarily reduces European base oil production by 10,000 barrels per day. A Total spokesman confirmed yesterday that operations at the Gonfreville facility ceased Sept. 26 because of a strike that began seven days earlier. Oil & Gas Journal reported that union employees walked off their jobs over a wage i...

Valvoline International Drafts Gupta

Naveen Gupta received kudos for helping Valvoline grow its sales in India. Now hes being asked to replicate the success in areas such as China, Brazil, Russia and Africa. Valvolines parent company, Ashland Inc., announced last week the appointment of Gupta to a new position, director of global heavy duty, OEM and emerging markets for Valvoline International. As such, he will be responsible for both heavy duty business and sales to original equipment manufacturers worldwide. Since it started oper...