In June 2014 Velocys announced the acquisition of Pinto Energy LLC and the Ashtabula GTL project. Since then we’ve not heard anything. Until now. Over the next two years, Ashtabula Energy seeks to build a 4,200 bpd plant to convert Marcellus and Utica Shale gas into diesel fuel, lubricants, solvents and waxes.

National Agencies Group, the certified distributor of KIA Motors in Kuwait last week announced that it has signed an agreement with Gulf Express Co., Al-Babtain, exclusive dealer of TOTAL Lubricants, that provides for the use of Total products at all KIA dealership service facilities throughout Kuwait.

Shell has reached agreement with Couche-Tard for the sale of its marketing operations in Denmark, comprising retail, commercial fleet, commercial fuels, aviation and connected trading & supply products businesses. Lubricants will continue to be delivered via a separate macro distributor agreement with Univar.

Castrol India Ltd. has launched Castrol Vecton RX Fuel Saver 10W-40 diesel engine oil, co-engineered by Tata Motors Ltd., and designed to increase fuel efficiency of Tata trucks by 3%. According to Castrol, Vecton RX Fuel Saver has the potential to save almost Rs 40,000 (USD 640) per year for a truck which travels 100,000 kilometers in a year.

• HollyFrontier Increases Its (Group I) 150 Bright Stock Posted Price by 10 CPG Effective March 16
• According to Sources, ExxonMobil Increases Its CORE 2500 (Group I Bright Stock) Price by 10 CPG and Its EHC (Group II+) Grades by 20 CPG Effective March 13
• Paulsboro Refining Increases Its (Group I) Bright Stock Posted Price by 10 CPG Effective March 18
• James Booth, Chevron Oronite, To Present "Impact of New Specifications and Engine Tests on the Formulation of Engine Oils" at Uniti Mineral Oil Technology Congress
• Kline’s March Index of Base Stock Production and Re-refining Cash Margins Reflects Improved Profitability Driven by Declining Crude Oil Prices
• Indonesia to Increase Minimum Biodiesel Content in Automotive Diesel Fuel from 10%to 15%