Info needed on Pennzoil dino oil formulations

[Mannix]

My line of work exposes me to oil analysis on a regular basis for engine warranty purposes. I receive info form virtually all of the oil blenders on request for their recipe's. I don't divulge this because of legal issues but I can say this: One thing I noticed about the additive packages used in Pennzoil(the info I receive from them), It seems that they "pick and choose" the additives, and they show no close comparison to any of the commercial additive packages that are available on the market. It's almost like the Pennzoil formulations are custom blended. Does anyone have any inside info on this?

 

[G-MAN]

It's the same way with all SOPUS oils. The additive packages for Formula Shell, QS, Pennzoil, and Rotella are all developed in-house and are proprietary--not just to Shell, but to the individual brands themselves. In other words, the formulas developed for Pennzoil are not shared with any other SOPUS brand and vice versa.

 

[Mannix]

From the info I gathered the QS and Shell use an Oronite package, at least they were the last time I had correspondence with them(over a year). But all of this may have changed recently. Rotella I have no current info on. Are there any SOPUS employees on this board?

 

[G-MAN]

Quote:

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From the info I gathered the QS and Shell use an Oronite package, at least they were the last time I had correspondence with them(over a year).

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That makes no sense at all. Why would Shell go to Chevron for additives when they operate Infineum as a joint venture with ExxonMobil?

 

[Mannix]

I think it was from a previous contract with them. That's why I was asking if there were any SOPUS people on here. They are stingy with their information.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Shell and EM both use Infinium additive packages. Ornite does sell it's additive packages to other companies but niether Shell or EM are customers!

 

[G-MAN]

Quote:

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I think it was from a previous contract with them. That's why I was asking if there were any SOPUS people on here. They are stingy with their information.

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I could understand them having to fulfill an existing contract with Oronite for QS oils when they acquired that brand with the purchase of Pennzoil. But I seriously doubt Shell ever used Oronite additives in Shell branded oils.

 

[Johnny]

Before Shell, Pennzoil was a big user of Oronite. Pennzoil has been using Shell's VI improvers for over 15 years.

 

[buster]

Much to my surprise, XOM does not soley use Infineum for additives for Mobil 1. I spoke with a guy from Mobil R&D in Paulsboro, NJ that told me they cherry pick the best additives available from a variety of suppliers. Usually a particular supplier makes several stellar additives, while others may be so so. So Mobil 1 for instance, is not XOM base oils + Infineum additives soley. They, much like everyone else will use different suppliers based on performance/cost/availability. Ferndog has mentioned this before in a thread on here. With that said, it would not surprise me at all if Pennzoil was using Oronite. Bottom line is to use UOA's as your guideline, especially for extended drain intervals/racing.

 

[G-MAN]

Doesn't seem logical to me...

I still maintain that the individual formulas for Pennzoil, QS, and Formula Shell are all proprietary to the respective brands (regardless of where the individual additive components are sourced).

 

[buster]

G-Man, I think you're correct. It's really anyone's guess as far as sourcing goes.

 

[Johnny]

They are probably using Infineum now, but not sure. I know Infineum is used in the Platinum.

 

[Mannix]

Johnny specific to pennzoil dino, are they now using an Infineum add pack? It doesn't look like any of the OTC Infinieum packs, and are they custom blending it for pennzoil?

 

[Johnny]

Mannix, since retirement I'm really not sure what they are doing with regular Pennzoil. But in the past, the add pack was anything but OTC. I can try to ask around but probably won't get a straight answer. They are tight lipped when it comes to their ad packs, even with current employees.

 

[Mannix]

That is what I figured from the recipe's I have seen. It looks like there's a formulation engineer or team that picks and chooses ingredients and has an additive supplier custom blend it. My guess is they signed a long term contract to offset the cost of a custom blend, so this blend is gonna be the same for a long period. Unlike what I've been seeing with some of the other blenders who switch additive recipe's whenever a salesman offers a lower price.

 

[Johnny]

Okay. I contacted one of my sources at Shell and here is the answer he sent me via email:

"Yellow bottle switched from Oronite to using AFTON

Synthetics are using AFTON and Infineum"

 

[Winston]

This brings back the question.

While Pennz Platinum was shown to be really good in the past, and recommended by Terry. How do we know it is still that good?

 

[Johnny]

Because this is the formula that Terry tested.

 

[Mannix]

Ah Ha! Afton is the old Ethyl corp. and a very good one indeed. Their packs are geared to heavy duty applications. Their philosophy has been geared towards extreme pressure additives. If that's the case, I will definitely use pennzoil in my truck!

 

[buster]

Thanks Johnny.