Suncor Energy has launched an auction of its Petro-Canada lubricants division. The sale could bring around $800 million and help Canada's biggest energy company pay down debt incurred by recent acquisitions, sources said late last week.

ExxonMobil last Thursday broke ground on the construction of a new hydrocracker at the ExxonMobil Rotterdam refinery. The unit will upgrade heavier hydrocarbon byproducts into cleaner, higher value finished products such as EHC™ Group II base stocks and ultra-low sulfur diesel.

With base oil prices increasing the past three months and independent lube manufacturers raising finished lubricant prices, we knew it was just a matter of time before the majors jumped on the wagon. Last week, Shell, ExxonMobil and CITGO announced price increases on their finished lubricants.

Afton Chemical last Wednesday announced a new investment in a petroleum additive facility at Bayer Industrial Park, in Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro. The new facility will be operated by Afton Chemical Indústria de Aditivos Ltda – a Brazil-based subsidiary of Afton Chemical Corporation.

Shell last week announced it has been named as GE’s recommended global oil supplier for GE's Jenbacher Type 4 and Type 6 gas engines. The agreement will last for three years, starting April 2016. Every new GE Jenbacher Type 4 and Type 6 gas engine sold will feature a plate recommending Shell Mysella.

PolyOne Corporation has announced the launch of SynPrime™ Lubricant Esters, a family of synthetic base oils and additives for automotive, aviation and industrial lubricant applications. The initial launch includes eight products available in viscosities ranging from 7.7 cSt to 88.1 cSt at 40C.

• U.S. Mechanics Name Mobil 1 Best Overall Motor Oil Brand Once Again
• RelaDyne Acquires Lubricants Division of Hollingsworth Oil Company
• Enterprise Auto Rental Partners With Safety-Kleen
• Jet-Lube Relocates Its Houston, TX Manufacturing Plant to Rockwall, TX
• Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Names ExxonMobil Authorized Supplier of Lubricants for Its Excavation and Construction Equipment
• Shell Lubricants India Appoints Mansi Madan Tripathy as New MD, Succeeding Nitin Prasad, Effective August 1