Argentina’s national energy company YPF has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Chevron Products Co., a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., for Nexbase base oils. Argentina is the third-largest lubricants market in Latin America, and its modernizing car parc has pushed demand for premium lubricants.

The American Petroleum Institute is accepting applications for gasoline engine oils meeting requirements for the incoming next performance specification for North America, ILSAC GF-7. Beginning March 31 marketers may promote products as meeting the spec, which is divided into ILSAC GF-7B for products that meet all requirements including fuel economy test limits and ILSAC GF-7A for those that meet requirements except for fuel economy. The institute’s companion standard API SQ will launch at the same time.