ExxonMobil announced last Friday that it will increase its branded and unbranded lubricant and grease prices by up to 4%, effective June 5, 2014. ExxonMobil attributed the increase primarily to recent increases in lube basestocks.

This follows the announcement by Shell Oil Products US (SOPUS) in which the company notified U.S. customers on March 31, 2014 of a general price increase on lubricants of up to 4%, effective May 5, 2014. In an earlier announcement dated March 10, Shell advised it would be increasing the price of Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra Platinum full synthetic motor oil products, which utilize Shell's PurePlus (GTL) Technology, by up to 5% effective June 1, 2014.

ExxonMobil last raised lube prices August 29, 2013 on ExxonMobil branded and unbranded lubricants and greases (i.e. commercial and passenger vehicle and industrial lubricants and greases) of up to 4 percent, effective October 3, 2013,