Shell last Tuesday announced that it has been chosen by BMW as its only recommended global supplier for aftermarket engine oils for the BMW, BMWi, BMW M, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands, starting in 2015. Shell oils will be available at BMW’s more than 3,500 dealers in more than 140 countries. Shell will also produce and supply BMW’s branded engine oils.

The Venezuela government announced that it has decided to shelve a plan to sell Citgo Petroleum, the U.S. unit of state-owned oil giant PDVSA. Former Energy Minister and PDVSA chief Rafael Ramirez, who is now Venezuela's foreign minister, estimated that Citgo might be worth "a little more" than $10 billion.

Ergon Europe MEA last Wednesday announced it has appointed Orbichem Petrochemicals as its exclusive naphthenic insulating oil, base oil, and process oil distributor in South Africa and the sub-Saharan African region. Orbichem is an established regional distributor and marketer of petrochemicals, specializing in premium base oils and specialty oils.

Chevron Phillips Chemical announced last Tuesday it is conducting a study to expand its low viscosity polyalphaolefins (PAO) capacity by 10,000 metric tons per year of capacity at its Cedar Bayou plant in Baytown, Texas. Currently, its low viscosity PAO capacity at its Cedar Bayou plant is 48,000 metric tons per year.

Quaker Chemical announced last Monday that it has acquired Binol AB, a bio-lubricants producer primarily serving the Nordic region for SEK 137 million ($18.7 million). Binol produces and markets environmentally friendly products to customers within the Metalworking and the Forestry & Construction segments, primarily marketed under the Binol brand names (Binol® and BioSafe®).

Both Valvoline and Calumet reported improved quarterly financial results. Valvoline reported that fiscal fourth quarter sales and volume both rose 2 percent while EBITDA rose 5 percent, to $87 million. Calumet reported net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 of $9.4 million compared to a net loss of $34.8 million in the third quarter 2013.

• Motiva Reduces Prices of Its Group II Star 4 (100 SUS) and Star 6 (220 SUS) Base Oils by 25 CPG, and Its Star 12 (600 SUS) by 40 CPG, Effective November 3
• Calumet Reduces Prices of All of Its Paraffinic Base Oils (Includes Calpar 2500 (150BS)) by 25 CPG Except 600 and 700; Reduces Prices of Its Group I 600 and 700 by 40 CPG. All Reductions Effective November 7
• HollyFrontier Reduces Prices of Its (Group I) SN70 through SN 300 by 25 CPG, Its SN500, SN600 by 40 CPG, and Its 150BS by 15 CPG, Effective November 3
• Phillips 66 Reduces Prices of Its Group II Pure Performance 70N, 80N, 110N, 225N by 25 CPG and Its 600N 40 CPG; Reduces Prices of Its Group II+ Ultra-S2 and S3 by 20 CPG, All Effective November 3
• Chevron Reduces Prices of Its 100R and 220R by 25 CPG and Its 600R by 40 CPG Effective November 5
• According to Several Industry Sources, ExxonMobil Announced a Base Oil Price Reduction of 25 CPG For Its Group I CORE and Its Group II+ EHC Base Oils and 35 CPG For Bright Stock. This Could Not be Verified by Press Time
• Maryam Sepehr, Chevron Oronite, to Present "Viscosity Index Improvers with Optimized Structure and Performance in Lubricating Oils" at Moscow International Lubricant Week 2014
• Castrol Launches JV With Manufacturing Consultancy TechSolve
• GELITA Develops New Base Substance for Oil-free, Biodegradable Cooling Lubrication
• U.S. Fines Hyundai, Kia for Overstated Fuel Mileage Claims
• Univar Expands in Brazil Market with Acquisition of D'Altomare Quimica Ltda.
• ExxonMobil to Invest in MIT Energy Initiative to Advance Energy Science and Technology Research