Shell last week announced it had sold its Retail, Supply and Distribution logistics and Aviation businesses in Italy to Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI). Shell last week also announced it had sold its Australia downstream businesses (excluding Aviation) to Vitol. In certain instances, Shell's lubricants businesses are involved.

Pakistan-based Hi-Tech Lubricants Ltd., part of Pakistan's MAS group, held a foundation stone laying ceremony marking the start of construction for a lubricant packaging plant in Lahore, Pakistan. The facility, being built in cooperation with SK Lubricants, supplier of ZIC brand lubes, is scheduled to open in January 2015.

Calumet Specialty Products reported a net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013 of $15.5 million, compared to net income of $45.7 million for the same quarter in 2012. Specialty products gross profit decreased 10.5%, or $9.3 million, in the fourth quarter 2013, compared to the fourth quarter 2012.

Chevron Oronite has introduced PARATONE® 8900E, an enhanced viscosity modifier which offers excellent low-temperature performance, superior thickening efficiency, and extended shear stability. PARATONE® 8900E is designed for use in formulating passenger car and heavy-duty engine oils, other multi-grade crankcase oils, power transmission fluids and industrial engine oils.

ExxonMobil Aviation announced last week that Mobil Jet™ Oil 387, a synthetic High Performance Capability (HPC) turbine engine oil, is now fully approved for use in a range of GE Aviation aircraft engines including GE CF34-10 regional jet and GEnxTM next generation turbofan. Last month, we reported that Mobil Jet™ Oil 387 had received Rolls-Royce approval.

• Lubrizol Presents "The Drive to More Efficient Lubricants" at ICIS
• Indianapolis-based Polaris Laboratories Opens New Laboratory in Poznan, Poland
• MFA Oil CEO Jerry Taylor Announces Retirement
• Senators Introduce Bill to Reinstate Biodiesel Tax Credit
• IPAC Launches New STOU Additive IPAC 9115
• Repsol SA and Argentine Government Reportedly Close to Final Agreement on Compensation for Expropriation of YPF
• Phillips 66: Growing the Next Generation Fuel from Algae