N America
US Re-refining industry forecast looks promising
8th March, 2013
Suggestion of a "golden decade" for the re-refining industry thanks to legislation and improved quality.
Rail is new pipeline
4th December, 2012
Rail is the new pipeline to help the Western states keep up with the US oil production boom
BP agrees US legal settlement
16th November, 2012
BP has agreed a settlement with the US Department of Justice over the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Welcome to my cult with Volvo
15th November, 2012
Volvo has established something of a YouTube cult with its "Welcome to my Cab" trucking series
Hindujas in the lead for Houghton
10th October, 2012
Gulf Oil is leading the bids for Houghton International.
Used oil exchange launched
9th October, 2012
An online market for trading in used oil has been launched in the US with global aspirations
Audi turns water into fuel
9th October, 2012
Audi may have found the fuel equivalent of alchemy, converting water into petroleum and diesel.
US files trade complaint against Chinese auto parts exports
24th September, 2012
President Obama takes a hardline stance on alleged Chinese car part subsidies.
Life on Mars
16th August, 2012
NASA celebrates safe landing of Mars rover, Curiosity as images beamed back from the Red Planet
Tags: And finally, N America
Life's a drag for a 13-year old
15th August, 2012
A 13 year-old school girl is setting the drag racing world alight.
Cheap fuel cells could be a reality
10th July, 2012
US scientists discover low-cost catalyst for microbial fuel cells.
Alaska delays and extensions
10th July, 2012
Shell hits delays to Alaska oil exploration as extensions may be granted to other producers
Law gets heavy with Jiffy Lube and Delfin
9th June, 2012
A class action lawsuit and criminal charges have been brought against Jiffy Lube and Delfin's President respectively.
Volvo reveals natural gas engines for North America
9th June, 2012
Volvo details its new heavy truck natural gas engine for the American market.
Shuttle bids final farewell
2nd May, 2012
The Space Shuttle programme bid farewell with flypasts in Washington and New York.
Chevron launches Gas vehicle lubes
4th April, 2012
News Chevron lube of medium and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles.
Quick lube outlets drop, but female-owned mobiles may buck trend
2nd April, 2012
The latest US quick lube and lubes plus rankings reveal a fall in outlets and revenues, but a new Vegas-based franchise may add some dash to a dull market.
Self-healing hydrogel could have impact on synthetic lubes
7th March, 2012
Innovation from bioengineers in California could have literally reduce the impact machinery on lubes
Two doors close as others open for Shell and Petroplus
6th March, 2012
Shell is set to close blending and distribution operations but open a new blending plant and save a Petroplus refinery.
Eastman buys Solutia
8th February, 2012
Multi-billion dollar deal for chemical giant fuels an expansion into hydraulic fluids.
A discordant phone call
23rd January, 2012
Ringing mobile halts New York concert
Tags: And finally, N America
Canada's Daylight sale completed
6th January, 2012
Daylight Energy's sale to Sinopec was sealed at the end of 2011.
Safety-Kleen brings blending in-house
6th January, 2012
US-based Safety-Kleen is to boost its blending capacity with a new plant
China imposes US car duty
27th December, 2011
China is to impose anti-dumping tax on US-made vehicles.
Chevron and Marathon boost exploration spend
8th December, 2011
Chevron and Marathon Oil announce significant expenditure plans for 2012 exploration
BP to sell Canadian NGL operations
7th December, 2011
BP is set to divest its Natural Gas Liquids operations to a Canadian operator
First GTL shipment from Pearl to US
2nd December, 2011
Arrival of first shipment of Gas-To-Liquid from new Shell plant to Houston.
Lubrizol to buy Chemtool
14th November, 2011
US chemical specialists to buy grease manufacturer by end of the year.
FTC gets both barrels after Magnuson-Moss request
4th November, 2011
US oil industry leaves legislator in no doubt over oil warranty issue.
CNPC forecasts overseas growth
24th October, 2011
CNPC is looking to foreign resources to secure China's oil futures.
OPEC cuts global oil demand forecasts
19th October, 2011
OPEC has reduced its demand forecasts for the rest of 2011 and 2012 as global economy weakens.
Wildlife regs could change US drilling
6th October, 2011
Proposed state regulations to save wild birds could change drilling practices.
Comments sought on Magnuson-Moss Act
14th September, 2011
US FTC request for comments on Act could lead to Dexos attacks
Idemitsu expands US plant
14th September, 2011
Japanese lubes specialist set to expand US blending and storage operation.
Amyris launches sustainable lube range
14th September, 2011
Renewable product specialists introduce a new range of Biofene-based lubricants as Albemarle helps boost base oil production
Skoda sets record but Bluebird fails
8th September, 2011
A Skoda has set a new land speed record for two litre cars, but the Bluebird Electric attempt fails.
Universal passes five million
8th September, 2011
Universal has passed a major milestone in its oil re-refining production
Canada funds new bio projects
8th August, 2011
Canada has announced further funding for biofuel and refinery projects.
New one-stop catalyst from ethanol for biofuels
4th August, 2011
US researchers have discovered a catalyst to provide isobutene from Ethanol.
Global industrial lubes on the up says Kline
4th August, 2011
Industrial and metalworking fluids are continuing their post-recession recovery, according to the latest Kline reports.
OPTI Canada sold to CNOOC
27th July, 2011
Oil sands developer OPTI Canada is set for sale to CNOOC Luxembourg.
New York lubes producer devastated by fire
26th July, 2011
A New York based lubes producer has had its operations destroyed by a massive fire.
Marathon spins off refining
8th July, 2011
Marathon Oil spins off its refining division to become fifth largest in US.
Tags: Corporate News, N America
Nanolube additive and nano diamonds reduce friction
7th July, 2011
Nano technology is moving ahead in helping to reduce boundary friction.
PQIA forms Advisory Board
7th July, 2011
New committee to help PQIA to deliver organisation's mission.
Encana and PetroChina shale deal fails
24th June, 2011
A potential joint venture for shale gas exploration has failed to materialise for PetroChina
Petsec to sell Chinese interests
9th June, 2011
Australia's Petsec is set to sell its Chinese assets to invest in US shale oil.
Ecobox wins sustainability award
9th June, 2011
Shell's Ecobox has won recognition from retail giant Wal-Mart
Venezuela shrugs off sanctions
8th June, 2011
Venezuela has dismissed recent US oil sanctions by claiming other markets may be more important.
Chrysler repays its debts
8th June, 2011
Chrysler repays its loans to Canada and the US ahead of schedule.
Joy for LeTourneau
3rd June, 2011
Joy Global acquires mining OEM LeTourneau from Rowan.
Canadian pipeline spills put safety in the spotlight
13th May, 2011
Two spills from separate Canadian lines have put a tar sands pipeline project in the spotlight.
Amyris gives Brazil bio boost
3rd May, 2011
Amyris has signed a major contract for sugar-based bio-additive production
Lubrizol lift slightly in Q1
29th April, 2011
Lubrizol showed positive Q1 results despite bearing costs from the Hathaway takeover
Good start to 2011 for oil majors
28th April, 2011
Q1 results from Shell and Exxon show a good start to 2011 as does BP and it's Russian subsidiary TNK-BP
NewMarket posts strong Q1 but mixed news for Ashland
28th April, 2011
NewMarket has reported a "terrific year" helped by strong results from its Afton Chemical subsidiary but Ashland saw Valvoline down despite recent launch in Pakistan.
Mixed news for BP on Gulf fish
15th April, 2011
A positive report on oil contamination of fish countered by oyster communities in the gulf
MJL listing blocked as Calumet seeks funding
14th April, 2011
Mobil Jamuna Lubricants listing bid is blocked in Bangladesh as Calumet aims to raise funds with share sale in US
Halliburton rebuts Commission report on cement
1st November, 2010
Halliburton has issued a strong rebuttal of the National Commission's cement testing in relation to the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Amyris in finished lubes venture
25th March, 2011
Amyris is turning to a joint venture to enter the industrial and auto lubes sector
China lube prices to rise as US and Russia look good
9th March, 2011
China's industrial lube prices are set to rise, while US and Russian base oil production moves ahead.
Creepy crawly Mazda attack
9th March, 2011
Mazda recalls Mazda6 models after spider attack.
Execs fear US drilling regs could boost costs
2nd March, 2011
Top oil and gas executives believe new drilling regulations could significantly increase costs.
Milestone as US returns to deepwater
2nd March, 2011
The first deepwater drilling permit is issued since the BP Gulf spill.
Chemtura ups additive production
21st February, 2011
US specialist Chemtura is to increase its polymer output by the end of Q1
New Hampshire can claim more in MTBE case
11th February, 2011
New Hampshire can claim costs for MTBE-polluted private water supplies
Chevron to build $1.4bn lubes plant
2nd February, 2011
Chevron is set to extend its largest wholly-owned refinery with a new Base Oil production facility.
EPA backs ethanol increase
24th January, 2011
The US EPA has endorsed an increase in ethanol in passenger car fuels.
Argus adds US GP III Base Oils
17th January, 2011
Pricing agency has added US Group III Base oils to its assessment portfolio
Cosan and Amyris partnership and new Clean Power brand
5th January, 2011
Bio-lubes producers Cosan and Amyris have formed a partnership, which Canada's Clean Power reveals new enviro-brands.
Quaker buys Summit and Sea-Land heads for Europe
5th January, 2011
Quaker Chemical Corp has acquired specialist grease maker Summit Lubricants, while Sea-Land Chemicals opens in Europe
Statoil sells oil sands interests
26th November, 2010
Statoil has sold 40% of its Alberta oil sands project to PTT Exploration.
Flights of fantasy in LA
24th November, 2010
Auto design studios dream-up lightweight cars of the future for LA Auto Show
Ashland sells distribution business
17th November, 2010
Ashland Inc has sold its global distribution business to TPG Capital.
Chemtura completes turnaround
17th November, 2010
Chemtura posted strong Q3 figures as it finally exits bankruptcy
Microalgae biofuel contribution will be vital
3rd November, 2010
A new report claims that microalgae technology will make a "vital but modest " contribution to the US biofuels industry.
SKF Buys Lincoln Industrial
25th October, 2010
Engineering giant SKF has acquired US-based Lincoln Holdings to expand its lubricants systems business.
DME and Camelina oil head bio-fuel news
20th September, 2010
Bio-DME has been launched in Sweden, while DuPont turns to Camelina Oil as a possible bio solution.
No single fault to blame for Deepwater Horizon disaster
8th September, 2010
BP releases own investigation and finds a number of factors caused the Gulf of Mexico explosion and oil spill
Bio-grease production safer with microwaves
6th September, 2010
New technology from Iowa could take the danger and time out of bio-grease production
BP wins spill battle but loses CEO
13th August, 2010
BP appears to have sealed the Macondo oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, but the distaster has cost the company it's CEO, Bob Hayward.
Georgia study shows strong positives for diesel additives
13th August, 2010
George Ports Authority announces very positive results for diesel additives study to show fuel and emissions savings
PIB market set to grow in North America
17th July, 2010
A new report shows Polyisobutylene volumes in North America will reach 410,000 tons by 2015.
Tags: Lubes news, N America
Bio method discovered for isobutane
1st July, 2010
A new bio-based technique has been discovered to manufacture isobutane.
Obama moratorium overturned as BP costs rise
25th June, 2010
A federal judge has overturned US the US President's moratorium on offshore drilling, while BP's costs exceed $2.3bn
Chemtura moves away from bankruptcy
25th June, 2010
Lubes and additives producer, Chemtura, and its affiliates is stepping closer to an exit from bankruptcy
Tags: Corporate News, N America
Oil in a box from Shell
22nd June, 2010
Shell roll-out new Ecobox oil storage system.
And finally... Bulletin 112 (Apr 10)
1st April, 2010
Formula One back on the grid; Shell stays with Ferrari; a UN-backed decade of road safety, it's official; automotive April Fools; and the world's largest meatball.
Upstream News - Bulletin 112 (Apr 10)
20th April, 2010
Crude prices reach 18-month high; Opec supports price hike and Brazil; Petrobras strengthens Asian exports; Denbury makes $900m sale; and Shell and Chevron celebrate deepwater success.
View From The Bridge - Bulletin 112 (Apr 10)
20th April, 2010
Global forecasts for 2010 growth in real GDP are increased to 4.5% but the recovery rates vary significantly by country even within the dynamic BRIC economies. In Russia, how will the significant increase in car imports impact on the lubricants market?


