PetroLiance LLC, which was formed last year through the consolidation of four of the nation's largest ExxonMobil distributors, has completed its first acquisition. The company today announced it has purchased the assets of Columbus-based AV Lubricants Inc., effective Sept. 1, 2007.

A leading provider of lubricants to the aviation industry and to mining operations in Ohio, Kentucky and neighboring states, AV Lubricants is one of the most successful companies in its field. That's why it was instrumental to PetroLiance LLC to acquire this innovative and rapidly growing company. The acquisition has expanded the PetroLiance family.

The acquisition will benefit the customers and employees of both PetroLiance and AV Lubricants, says PetroLiance CEO Kevin McCarter. "AV Lubricants is a strong, well-run company that is widely recognized for its excellent service and technical support," McCarter said. "Their expertise in several key specialized off-road lubricants markets will greatly benefit the PetroLiance organization."

"We are delighted and enthusiastic to become part of the PetroLiance team," adds George Morrison, AV Lubricants' founder and CEO. "PetroLiance's significant resources will benefit our customers and employees, while we will be able to contribute valuable technical expertise and other strengths to the organization. It truly is a synergistic combination."

Morrison will assume a leadership role in PetroLiance's sales and technical service. A published author with expertise in fuel, filtration and additives, he is recognized as a Certified Lubrication Specialist by the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. AV Lubricants has also pioneered a number of marketing innovations including advances in the use of online ordering and support.

"George Morrison's personal expertise, and the strength of the entire AV Lubricants organization, made this an ideal company for our first acquisition," notes McCarter. "We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to support those strengths by applying the significant resources of the PetroLiance organization."

PetroLiance has major facilities in Columbus, Ohio the headquarters of AV Lubricants. It was an additional value-added benefit that further enhanced the synergy of the acquisition. "To complete our first acquisition so smoothly and successfully is very encouraging," McCarter adds, "It establishes a very positive model for future transactions."

ConocoPhillips Lubricants, the fourth largest U.S. lubricants supplier, today announced that Kendall SHP Synthetic Gear Lube 75W90 has been upgraded to meet the latest DANA SHAES 256 REV C specification for extended drain gear oils, according to Reginald Dias, director, commercial lubricants, ConocoPhillips Lubricants.

"This new upgrade helps us continue to equip our customers with the consistent, reliable performance they have come to expect from ConocoPhillips," said Dias. "In addition to providing our customers with a premium product, the upgraded Kendall SHP Synthetic Gear Lube 75W90 offers improved equipment durability, less churning losses and fuel economy gains, particularly at low operating temperatures."

Meeting the new specification, Kendall SHP Synthetic Gear Lube 75W90 is approved for 500,000 mile drain service in DANA heavy duty final drive axles under OEM's extended warranty. The SHAES 256 REV C specification replaced the previous SHAES 256 (formerly EATON PS 163) specification and sets a higher standard for gear oils used in DANA axles for 500,000 mile drain intervals. In the new specification, DANA has revised the shear stability, low temperature properties and deposits control requirements of the gear oil. DANA now recommends only 75W90 grade gear oil for 500,000 mile extended drain use.

Kendall SHP Synthetic Gear Lube 75W90 also meets the O-76 N (75W90) specification for 500,000 mile drain service in ArvinMeritor heavy duty axles and Mack GO-J Plus (75W90) approval for extended drain service in the Mack axles.

Garry D. Rooney has been appointed Senior Vice President Commercial & Industrial Lubricants as well as Corporate Counselor. In his new position with Warren Oil, Garry will develop and manage a national bulk lubricant program aimed at supplying distributors all across the US with the Warren Oil Group's family of branded Lubricants. In conjunction with this expanded distributor program, Garry will be responsible for developing a supporting National Accounts program Additionally, Garry will utilize his 31 years of experience in the oil industry to provide valuable advice to Warren Oils entire organization on improvement opportunities and methods to better utilize their many assets.

Garry comes to Warren Oil after spending 31 years in the Oil and Lubricants industry. Of Garry's 31 years in the industry, 20 have been in Executive and Senior level management positions including simultaneously holding the positions of President of the 76 Lubricants Company and President of Kendall Motor Oil Company.

Irvin Warren, Warren Oil's Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "We are pleased and excited to welcome Garry to the Warren Oil family." "We believe with Garry's knowledge, abilities and vast experience he can play a key role in helping us move our organization forward towards our goal of becoming a pre-eminent national and international manufacturer and supplier of quality lubricants."

Garry Rooney stated, "I am excited to be joining the Warren Oil organization." "I believe Warren Oil has the personnel, facilities and desire to become one of the truly great Lubricant suppliers in the U.S. and Internationally and I hope to be able to use my experiences, my knowledge and my strengths to help them achieve their goals." "My responsibilities will include the development and management of a national bulk oil distribution and national accounts network utilizing distributors for Warren Oil and its family of products." "Additionally, I hope to be able to utilize my 31 years of varied oil industry experiences to provide valuable advice and assistance to any part of the organization where I am needed."

Warren Oil Company Inc. currently has over $350 million in annualized revenues and is the largest independent Lubricant manufacturer and marketer in the United States. Warren Oil currently owns and operates six efficient and modern lubricant manufacturing and packaging plants with a total throughput capability of over 120 million gallons annually and with over 16 million gallons of bulk oil storage capacity. These six plants are strategically located in Dunn North Carolina, Johnstown Pennsylvania, Benton Alabama, San Antonio Texas, Marion Illinois and West Memphis Arkansas.