New Research Proves Shell ROTELLA(R) T Meets Requirements for New, Low-Emission EGR Engines

    HOUSTON, July 3 The following was released by Equilon
Enterprises LLC:
    Recent testing by scientists at Shell's Westhollow Technology Center
indicates Shell ROTELLA(R) T Multigrade 15W-40 with Advanced Soot Control
meets the performance requirements of new, low-emission heavy-duty engines
scheduled to hit the market in late 2002.
    Company officials said research confirms Shell's lubricant -- the best-
selling heavy-duty engine oil in North America -- meets or exceeds the
anticipated requirements of the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Proposed
Category-9 (PC-9) for Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) equipped engines.
    The next-generation EGR engines are designed to reduce pollution and
improve air quality.  The American Petroleum Institute (API) is expected to
begin licensing so-called API PC-9 category oils for these engines in mid-
2002.  Most heavy-duty major engine builders will begin selling EGR engines in
October, 2002.
    "This is great news for all ROTELLA(R) T customers," says Greg Raley,
Commercial Products Manager for Equilon Lubricants, a division of Equilon
Enterprises LLC, the Houston-based company that manufactures and markets Shell
and Texaco lubricants nationwide.  "ROTELLA(R) T once again has demonstrated
excellent performance under these very severe requirements.  It is ideal for
use in EGR engines as they arrive in the market.  What's really exciting is
that customers using ROTELLA(R) T today already enjoy this added level of
protection in non-EGR engines."
    EGR engines require tougher engine oils with the ability to minimize soot-
related engine wear, soot-related thickening of engine oil, and the
neutralization of acids created in the engine by EGR technology.
    Aimin Huang, the product development specialist responsible for ROTELLA(R)
T development at Westhollow, says testing proves ROTELLA(R) T can withstand
the performance demands of these new engines.
    "Westhollow has engaged in product development for PC-9 oils for the last
two and one-half years," she says.  "Although official pass/fail limits are
not yet established, we believe that our testing data will satisfy the three
critical new engine tests.  Our expertise in technology permits us to develop
engine oil formulations that are on the cutting edge of the evolving-
performance categories.  We believe when the API specifications are announced,
ROTELLA(R) T will not only meet but will exceed new industry standards."
    For more information, contact: Stephanie Johnson, 713-277-7600.