Adrian Brown is away. His column will reappear in the Sept. 26 edition of Lube Report Americas.

When the United States reinstates sanctions on Irans oil industry in November, close to U.S. $47 billion of exports are likely to be hit hard. Gauging the impact on future base oil shipments has been difficult because of a dearth of accurate data, but a recent conference presentation by one refiner depicts the Islamic Republics base stock business as a major source of export revenues.

Vivo Energy plc has a revised agreement to acquire Engen Petroleums operations in eight African countries. The deal has the potential to expand the penetration of Shells lubricant brand in sub-Saharan Africa, an industry observer said.

Gazprom Nefts lubricant blending plant in Omsk, Russia, introduced a packaging line that increases filling capacity and boosts production efficiency, the company said last week.