There are those who believe they understand how the Internet can improve business. Then there are those who believe they know exactly how it can help. Pat O’Keefe is among a small but growing number of petroleum marketers who number themselves among the latter.

As Sales Manager for Martinez, Calif.-based Golden Gate Petroleum – and the son of the owner, Dennis O’Keefe – he has been in the trenches and is excited about what eCommerce can bring – even in its initial stages -- to the business.

NEW YORK -- Despite expressing hope it can reach a deal to buy out Texaco Inc.'s remaining share of its refining and marketing joint ventures, time is running out on Royal Dutch/Shell.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission last month ruled that if Shell and Texaco cannot strike a deal by the merger's scheduled Oct. 9 closing date, the assets will be placed into trust, to be sold by the trustee within eight months. As of late last week, Shell Chairman Phil Watts said he was "hopeful" a deal could be reached, though he admitted time was running out.