First-Of-Its-Kind Synthetic Motor Oil Made From Natural Gas

HOUSTON, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pennzoil® introduced Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ with PurePlus™ Technology, full synthetic motor oils formulated from natural gas. PurePlus Technology is a patented, revolutionary process that converts pure natural gas into the first-of-its-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil. The Pennzoil Platinum line of products made with PurePlus Technology is the first major development in motor oil in more than 40 years.

"Pennzoil is paving the way for our industry by offering modern and inventive synthetic motor oils made from natural gas," explains Chris Hayek, Global Brand Director, Shell Lubricants Passenger Car Motor Oil. "What we like about PurePlus Technology is that it starts with a base of pure, crystal clear base oil made from natural gas with fewer of the impurities found in crude oil, which is the traditional base for many other conventional and synthetic motor oils. Using this technology in our products helps Pennzoil provide motorists with one of the most advanced, premium motor oils on the market."

Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic motor oils with PurePlus Technology are designed to provide engines Complete Protection, without compromise. Complete Protection is defined as coverage on five key areas consumers deemed as most critical for motor oil performance: 1) engine cleanliness, 2) fuel economy, 3) conservation of horsepower, 4) wear protection, and 5) performance in extreme temperatures.

Pennzoil Platinum premium motor oils keep pistons cleaner than any other leading synthetic^[1], deliver better fuel economy^[2], protect against horsepower loss, provide unsurpassed wear protection^[3] and deliver excellent performance in extreme temperatures.

The benefits of piston cleanliness, fuel economy and wear protection are derived from the combination of Pennzoil additive chemistry with PurePlus™ Base Oil. PurePlus Base Oils are able to fully enhance the benefits of Pennzoil additive chemistry which allow the full formulations of Pennzoil Platinum and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum to deliver these consumer benefits.

"Pennzoil is redefining the way consumers look at the motor oil category," said Hayek. "Pennzoil Platinum motor oils with PurePlus Technology feature the capabilities to evolve with current vehicle technology to offer complete protection for today's engines."

Cutting edge PurePlus Technology is running under the hood of Pennzoil motorsports partners across NASCAR™, IndyCar™ and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Series. Pennzoil motorsports sponsorships will maximize performance and engine reliability for the teams and help them push the limits in 2014.

To help educate consumers on the new technology, a multi-faceted activation plan for the Pennzoil brand is being launched across a variety of platforms. Brand ambassador Tim McGraw will continue with Pennzoil on this journey of imagination and innovation lending his talents in new ways, including an appearance in a short form vignette produced by ESPN for the NBA Eastern Conference Finals that helps reinforce the "reimagined" Pennzoil thematic. Additionally, a revamped enthusiast outreach program extending to top car clubs across the country will provide in-depth used oil-analysis tests, and more thoroughly bring the benefits to life. As Pennzoil accelerates beyond the limits of innovation, consumers will have ample opportunities to join the brand along the ride.

For more detail on the Pennzoil Platinum with PurePlus Technology line of motor oils and product availability, visit www.MotorOilReimagined.com. To stay up-to-date on the latest activities, be sure to 'Like' the official Pennzoil Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/Pennzoil) and follow Pennzoil on Twitter (www.twitter.com/Pennzoil) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/Pennzoil).

About Pennzoil®

At Pennzoil®, we're car people. We love cars and the role they play in our lives. That's why we tirelessly strive to produce the most technologically advanced, highest performing motor oils on the market.  Our Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ motor oils with PurePlus™ Technology deliver Complete Protection. Pennzoil Platinum motor oils start with something different: natural gas. PurePlus Technology is a patented, revolutionary process that converts pure natural gas into the first-of-its-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil. It's Motor Oil Reimagined.

Pennzoil® is the most trusted motor oil brand in America.* The full line of Pennzoil quality products includes Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ with PurePlus™ Technology, Pennzoil® motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about the full line of Pennzoil lubricating products, motor oils and filters, please visit www.pennzoil.com. Not just oil.  Pennzoil. 

*Based on a survey of licensed drivers conducted by a leading research firm January 2005 – December 2013.

About Shell Lubricants

The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying more than 12% of global lubricants volume. ^[a] The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®.

^[a]Kline & Company, "Global Lubricants Industry 2012: Market Analysis and Assessment."

^[1] Based on pistons from standard V6 engine in ASTM Sequence IIIG piston deposit test using SAE 5W-30. Does not apply to Pennzoil Platinum® Euro and Pennzoil® Ultra Platinum 0W-40. Pennzoil® Ultra Platinum keeps pistons up to 25% cleaner than Mobil 1; up to 35% cleaner than Valvoline® SynPower®; and up to 40% cleaner than Castrol® EDGE® with SYNTEC®. Penn­zoil Platinum® keeps pistons up to 8% cleaner than Mobil 1; up to 17% cleaner than Valvoline® SynPower®; and up to 20% cleaner than Castrol® EDGE® with SYNTEC®.
^[2] Fuel economy measurements made using CAFE cycle under FTP75. Avg of 550 extra miles based on mixed city/highway miles and US avg of 13,476 miles driven per year with 4.1% better MPG vs dirty engine. Source fhwa.dot.gov, 2011. Follow OEM recommended oil drain intervals.
^[3] *Based on Sequence IVA wear test using SAE 5W-30

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73232

SOURCE Pennzoil