CONTENTS Oil Price Drop
Importance of VI Improvers for Rheological Targets in Modern Lubricants Pages 6 to 8 and 10 Chevron Oronite reviews the rheological properties of lubricants Progressively stringent emission norms, are leading the development of advanced lubricants technology globally. While the focus is mainly on the chemical nature and influence of performance additives, selection of viscosity index improvers is sometimes an afterthought.
Environmental Stewardship through careful application of Beneficial Technology Pages 12 to 14
Lubrication formulation for a nuclear generating station
Bryan Johnson of the Arizona Public Service, explains how and why the oil formulator’s skills are instrumental in creating a product which reduces wear and manages the energy lost to friction. The selection by the end user of the most appropriate lubricant is vital to reliable machine operation.
Lube-Tech Pages 23 to 26 Shell introduces a new long life lubricant for engines burning sour A new product especially formulated for gas engines, will be introduced into the market. This Lube-Tech describes the challenges that different qualities of biogas impose on the engine and the lubricating oil. The findings of this research and development are published here.
UKLA Annual Dinner Pages 34 to 35 Cocktail reception and annual dinner highlights
The stylish ambience at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower set the stage for a wonderful evening filled with lively entertainment, endless networking and delicious food with an awesome award ceremony.
UEIL Annual Congress Pages 40 to 41 Madrid
The informative and educational presentations as well as excellent networking opportunities combined with an elegant gala dinner, all act as a reminder that the UEIL Annual Congress is not to be missed.
Regulars: UKLA President’s Report UEIL President’s Report UEIL News
UEIL Local Report ICIS Base Oil Report Appointments
Forthcoming Events Publisher’s details
Page 3 Page 3
Page 38 Page 39 Page 43 Page 45 Page 46 Page 46
Cover: Courtesy of Chevron Oronite. Modern OCP- VI improvers show good thickening efficiency and shear stability as well as robust low temperature behaviour. Lower SAE grades, high performance composite and optimized lubricant formulations are key for fuel economy improvement and Greenhouse Gas Reduction. See the Chevron Oronite article starting on page 6.
4 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.124 DECEMBER 2014
At a time of political instability in the Middle East (Lybia, Iraq, Syria, etc) and with the prospect of a new Cold War looming (Mikhail Gorbachev) over Ukraine, you might expect oil prices to rise.
But not so. The price of a barrel of oil has fallen by about a quarter, in June it was $115 (£72) per barrel and in November 2014 it is about $84 (£53) per barrel. In comparison, petrol and diesel prices in the UK have declined by a mere 6% 131.7p per litre in the summer to 124.22p, with diesel dropping from 136.37p to 128.58p.
According to analysis carried out by The AA (Automobile Association) a British motoring association, about two thirds of the 124.22p is a combination of Value Added Tax (VAT) at 20% and fuel duty at 57.95p. Which would mean the underlying price of petrol has dropped by 21% since last year.
The UK has one of the lowest fuel costs in Europe. But after tax and VAT are added in, it’s almost the most expensive. Oil isn’t a renewable fuel so perhaps we should simply enjoy a price reduction while it lasts.
Whilst I write, this weekend, Germany was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the remarkable success subsequently. Let’s hope that talk of a new Cold War is just speculation and we don’t return to that sad, gloomy, unproductive stalemate that lasted for half a century.
Here in the UK, we were fortunate to have a week of unseasonably warm weather a couple of weeks ago. But now winter is here and the planning for next year is well under way. Online media is now the easiest and cheapest means to get your product or service promoted. Your company name and business profile can be found on search engines. The European Lubricants Industry Directory (ELID) is the official UEIL online directory for the total lubricants industry. It is fully searchable and lists over 1,000 European lubricant companies including suppliers of services and goods. Have you listed your company yet? The closing date for ELID 2015 is Friday 30 January 2015. Please go to
www.lube-media.com/
list_your_company_in_ELID.php to download the Media Pack.
Lube Digital’s online content is also searchable. The articles, advertisements and videos have links to company websites. Is there a subject which you would like to read or write about? The Editorial and Advertising Schedule has been updated, it now goes up to the end of 2016. Please take a look
www.lube-media.com/schedule
Attendance at the UEIL Annual Congress in Madrid was stimulating and inspiring. I’m already looking forward to the 2015 UEIL Annual Congress as it will be held on the beautiful and sunny island of Malta! I do hope I will see you there. You can contact me by email
suzy@ukla.org.uk
Suzy Jarman Editor
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