Doesn anyone know where Valvoline gets their base oil from?
Where Does Valvoline Get Their Base Oils
- Thread starter GaryPoe
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Asked in 2011
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/2258859/Re:_Valvoline_Base_Oil
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/2258859/Re:_Valvoline_Base_Oil
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OP was not a bitoger in 2011.
I don't know, but I can extrapolate somewhat-their major refinery is in Catlettsburg, KY (Ashland originally, Marathon now), it's on the pipeline that runs to New Orleans, so my guess would be Shell or someone else who ships oil from that port. It also crosses crude pipelines that come from Port Arthur, so that's another possibility.
Maybe contact Valvoline and ask them instead of relying on internet guesswork?
I thought we had someone on here that worked in Catlettsburg that stated that the base oils came from the cracking towers there and were blended there. I know there's a LOT of barges marked Marathon coming down river from that direction that unload at the Latonia, KY and Riverside (western Cincinnati) terminals. As far as what crude oil it's made from, that's going to be a lot tougher!
OP asks a legitimate question and gets slammed. Why? If you don't have anything nice to say.......just skip it and let it go. Geeez.................
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Originally Posted by sloinker
Don't know the answer to the OP's question but with modern synthetics being group lll with little or no group lV/V in the bottle it would be plausible for Valvoline to hydro crack their own.
IIRC, Valvoline, no longer part of Ashland, has no refining operations, they are strictly a blender at this juncture from what I recall.
Don't know the answer to the OP's question but with modern synthetics being group lll with little or no group lV/V in the bottle it would be plausible for Valvoline to hydro crack their own.
IIRC, Valvoline, no longer part of Ashland, has no refining operations, they are strictly a blender at this juncture from what I recall.
Originally Posted by bullwinkle
I don't know, but I can extrapolate somewhat-their major refinery is in Catlettsburg, KY (Ashland originally, Marathon now), it's on the pipeline that runs to New Orleans, so my guess would be Shell or someone else who ships oil from that port. It also crosses crude pipelines that come from Port Arthur, so that's another possibility.
They have greatly expended that refinery over the years so I would believe that they get base oil from that plant. There is a huge tank farm right next to it which I'm sure is for fuel and the pipeline. Is the refinery itself renamed Marathon? Seems like I saw a sign stating Ashland Oil Cat'burg refinery.
I don't know, but I can extrapolate somewhat-their major refinery is in Catlettsburg, KY (Ashland originally, Marathon now), it's on the pipeline that runs to New Orleans, so my guess would be Shell or someone else who ships oil from that port. It also crosses crude pipelines that come from Port Arthur, so that's another possibility.
They have greatly expended that refinery over the years so I would believe that they get base oil from that plant. There is a huge tank farm right next to it which I'm sure is for fuel and the pipeline. Is the refinery itself renamed Marathon? Seems like I saw a sign stating Ashland Oil Cat'burg refinery.
It really doesn't matter at the end of the day the information was linked so the issue seems to be resolved, I personally despise the "Google it" type of responses these days as they are very common responses folks post/find when users actually try to Google the answer.
Quote
IIRC, Valvoline, no longer part of Ashland, has no refining operations, they are strictly a blender at this juncture from what I recall.
This is probably the most correct answer. Having worked for Ashland since 1973, then Marathon Ashland Petroleum, then finally for Marathon after the total buyout, I can tell you this much:
When I applied for my job, I had to go to Freedom, Pennsylvania. This WAS a refinery at that time, and all Valvoline products, including Tectyl were made there and were refined from pure Pennsylvania crude oil.
There was a personal commitment from every single worker at that time to put the best oils out that could possibly achieved with that technology.
I think that commitment exists to this day! However, Marathon DOES have refineries, and those blend stocks would generally be sold to Valvoline for making lubricants, as well as other sources.
Bullwinkle, those barges are likely carrying light products. Huge market in Cincinnati.
IIRC, Valvoline, no longer part of Ashland, has no refining operations, they are strictly a blender at this juncture from what I recall.
This is probably the most correct answer. Having worked for Ashland since 1973, then Marathon Ashland Petroleum, then finally for Marathon after the total buyout, I can tell you this much:
When I applied for my job, I had to go to Freedom, Pennsylvania. This WAS a refinery at that time, and all Valvoline products, including Tectyl were made there and were refined from pure Pennsylvania crude oil.
There was a personal commitment from every single worker at that time to put the best oils out that could possibly achieved with that technology.
I think that commitment exists to this day! However, Marathon DOES have refineries, and those blend stocks would generally be sold to Valvoline for making lubricants, as well as other sources.
Bullwinkle, those barges are likely carrying light products. Huge market in Cincinnati.
SK's 4.16 cSt Yubase 4 Plus Group III+ base stock has Noack = 13.0% and VI = 134.
SK's 6.52 cSt Yubase 6 Group III base stock has Noack = 7% and VI = 131.
With Group III/III+ base stocks of such high quality, Valvoline or any other oil blender can formulate excellent oils without resorting to GTL or PAO.
http://www.yubase.com/eng/product/pr_technical_01typical.asp
There are many other suppliers:
https://www.neste.com/companies/solutions/base-oils/products
https://www.phillips66.com/customers/base-oil
https://lubricants.petro-canada.com/en-us/brand/purity-vhvi-specialty-base-fluids
https://www.saudiaramco.com/en/creating-value/products/base-oils
https://www.repsol.com/en/products-...ge/oils/lubricant-base-oils/index.cshtml
https://www.motiva.com/Customers/Motiva-Lubes/Buy-Base-Oils
At the end of the day, it's more the formulator's expertise and skill than where the base stocks come from that determines the quality of the oil outcome. Valvoline is one of the more knowledgeable companies out there, with active scientists/researchers. The specs of Valvoline Advanced Synthetic motor oil are very impressive. I religiously used their DEXRON® ATF in my old Corolla, and the transmission ran like clockwork.
SK's 6.52 cSt Yubase 6 Group III base stock has Noack = 7% and VI = 131.
With Group III/III+ base stocks of such high quality, Valvoline or any other oil blender can formulate excellent oils without resorting to GTL or PAO.
http://www.yubase.com/eng/product/pr_technical_01typical.asp
There are many other suppliers:
https://www.neste.com/companies/solutions/base-oils/products
https://www.phillips66.com/customers/base-oil
https://lubricants.petro-canada.com/en-us/brand/purity-vhvi-specialty-base-fluids
https://www.saudiaramco.com/en/creating-value/products/base-oils
https://www.repsol.com/en/products-...ge/oils/lubricant-base-oils/index.cshtml
https://www.motiva.com/Customers/Motiva-Lubes/Buy-Base-Oils
At the end of the day, it's more the formulator's expertise and skill than where the base stocks come from that determines the quality of the oil outcome. Valvoline is one of the more knowledgeable companies out there, with active scientists/researchers. The specs of Valvoline Advanced Synthetic motor oil are very impressive. I religiously used their DEXRON® ATF in my old Corolla, and the transmission ran like clockwork.
I think this kind of info should be regarded as a "Trade Secret"
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