The European market fell away again quite quickly last week. The United States remains tight, and a few routes are attracting higher freight levels. Asia had another busy week in the run-up to the lunar holidays.-by Adrian Brown

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. signed agreements Sunday selling a combined 35 percent stake in itself to Eni and OMV for a total of $5.8 billion. The companies said they intend to expand Adnoc operations, including its refining complex in Al Ruwais, United Arab Emirates, which has a base oil plant.

Commercial vehicle registrations across the European Union grew 3.2 percent to 2.5 million in 2018, its sixth consecutive year of growth, while passenger car registrations edged up 0.1 percent to almost 15.2 million, the fifth straight year of growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Biskra, Algeria-based Sarl Sopremac opened a lube oil blending plant in Algeria that has already begun production of multigrade motor oils and industrial lubricants.

Russian chemical producer Orgkhim expanded its process oil production in Uren, Nizhny Novgorod, from 110,000 tons per year to 130,000 t/y by adding a test unit for production of extender process oils made from petrochemical wastes and base oils.