Demand for lower viscosity, higher performance lubricants is changing the pattern of global trade, Al-faqeeh said. Europe is moving from base oil exports to imports, and rationalization of Group I plants will continue. Demand for bright stocks is falling, but capacity is falling even faster, creating opportunities for expansions in the Middle East.

In the Gulf Cooperation Council, where Saudi Arabia is by far the largest lubricant market, lube demand is growing 3 to 4 percent per year. Saudi Arabias lubricants market is 480,000 tons per year, dominated by the automotive sector. While Group II/ III demand is rising, Al-faqeeh expects Group I to be a major part of formulations through 2030.

Luberef is undertaking a major expansion to meet Saudi and regional demand, adding 770,000 t/y of Group II by 2016. We will retain our Group I and increase our supply of bright stock, said Al-faqeeh. We will provide a single source of supply for Group I and Group II products.

Good news at LNG Publishing Co. Were growing, and to guide our growth and meet our need for more professional management, weve brought Howard Briskin on board as company president. Before joining LNG, Briskin was chief operating officer of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a public opinion research and consulting firm. Under Briskins guidance, GQRR opened Europe-Middle East and South American subsidiaries, and GQRR has become the United States largest partisan polling organization. Before joining GQRR in 2006, Briskin was VP and GM of Video Monitoring Services of America, where he was instrumental in the growing the business. He holds an MBA in finance from George Washington University.

Were delighted that Howard Briskin will provide the leadership we need to meet the information needs of the worlds dynamic lubricants industry. Welcome aboard, Howard!

– Nancy J. DeMarco

nancy@LNGpublishing.com