Finished Lube Prices Slide
Several major oil companies notified U.S. customers of
finished lube price cuts in recent weeks, which industry sources see as an effort
to reduce the gap with independents on pricing while coping with continued slack
in lubricants demand in the marketplace.
[FULL STORY]
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NMMA OKs New 4-Stroke Spec
The National Marine Manufacturers Association approved
a new four-stroke oil specification for catalyzed marine outboard engines that features tougher formulation testing requirements and a focus on limiting catalyst poisoning.
[FULL STORY]
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Russian Additives JV Weathers Challenges
LLK-Naftan has bucked the trend for lubricant additive
companies in the former Soviet Union, growing its business during its first
three years of existence. But a top official told an industry conference in Moscow that the joint venture faces challenges as it aims to offer products of higher
quality levels.
[FULL STORY]
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Calumet Earnings Up, S-Oil Down
Independent refiner Calumet Specialty Products reported
strong income but lower sales for the quarter ending March 31, while South Korean refiner S-Oil reported drops in operating income and revenue for the quarter,
compared to year-earlier results.
[FULL STORY]
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U.S. Base Oil Price Report
The U.S. base oil arena maintained its steady course heading into mid-May, continuing a trend that has been in place since early April. Market fundamentals remained balanced, with no recent change to contract prices or supply/demand conditions.
[FULL STORY]
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Europe-MidEast-Africa Base Oil Price Report
Europe’s peak production period for finished lubes, particularly in the automotive sector, should be upon us, but there is little sign of any increase in demand for base oils. Status quo describes this week; however there may be some changes just around the corner regarding the costs of base oil production.
[FULL STORY]
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SSY Base Oil Shipping Report
Cargo volumes this week have been reasonable, even encouraging, across many trade lanes. Still greatest by far is the amount of material moving into Asia and into China in particular, although the jury is still out as to what will happen on that route in June.
[FULL STORY]
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Correction
Early editions of last week's article, "Nynas Ups Pale Oil Output," incorrectly said the company would complete an expansion of base oil capacity in Nynashamn, Sweden, in 2010. No date has been announced, the company advises. Also, that plant now has three hydrotreaters with total capacity of 400,000 metric tons per year. The proposed expansion will add 300,000 to 350,000 t/y to that.
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