U.S. base oil market activity is deemed steady, although somewhat quiet on the surface.

Key players view business as normal for late February; suppliers reiterate that sales are building week-on-week. Although postings are unchanged this week, price ideas are seeing upward pressure due to rising crude oil values.

Both buyers and sellers agree that contractual commitments are moving along smoothly and picking up steam as March approaches. Deliveries are largely on time despite a handful of downtimes underway. Producers whose facilities were or are impacted by a turnaround have beefed up stocks in advance to cover all customer requirements.

Meanwhile, market players’ chatter has heightened over the possibility of base oil prices rising. Producers are keeping a close eye on upstream developments. Feedstock costs are trekking higher on the back of steeper crude oil values.

Some regular naphthenic exports may have been curtailed or temporarily halted in recent weeks, said supply sources. They pointed out that these disruptions were due to the ongoing angst in Europe, as Europe continues to work on its financial recovery and other related regional crises. These sources added that the delayed pale oil shipments to Europe would likely pick up soon and that this has not affected domestic activity.

Brent crude prices have recently firmed and reached the $120 per barrel mark on Tuesday. Prices for Brent have not been above $120/bbl for over a year. In its run higher, stronger Brent numbers have pulled up other crude types as well, including a number of foreign and domestic oils that are used in U.S. refineries.

The increase in oil prices was largely attributed to fresh Iranian concerns. On Sunday, Iran’s oil ministry said that it would stop exporting oil to British and French companies. This announcement came just days after Iran warned it may disrupt supplies to some European Union countries in retaliation for sanctions put in place by the EU and United States.

At the close of the Tuesday, Feb. 21, CME/Nymex session, front month light sweet crude oil futures ended the day at $105.84 per barrel, up $5.10 /bbl from last week’s settlement at $100.74.

Brent crude was trading at $121.17/bbl at the end of the day yesterday, up $3.73/bbl from its week-ago level at $117.44.  LLS (Light Louisiana Sweet) crude was trading at a premium of about $17.5-18/bbl to WTI on Tuesday

Click to expand

JZ-OR

Ocean Rodeo’s industry leading reputation for innovation and design continues! Based on the incredible success of the original Go Joe leashless board recovery device Ocean Rodeo has developed an entirely new Go Joe Pro!

While still in the prototype phase the all new, low profile Go Joe Pro has been designed as a complement to the original inflatable Go Joe.

The pre production prototype relies on a magnetic trigger to activate a pop-up EVA foam float. When deployed the buoyancy of the float rights an upturned board, and provides a sail like effect driving the board downwind towards the rider. If activated, the float is easy to reset while on the water. The prototype Go Joe Pro is easily attached to your board via a simple snap connection with the board’s grab handle.

Low Profile Riding Mode (click to expand)

Activated (click to expand)

As you can imagine, once we commit to the final production moulds changes are tough to make so we want your feedback! Is this a product you want to see produced? What was your immediate reaction to this concept ? Our initial estimates have this product retailing at between $199 and $229 USD, far less than the cost of a lost board and well worth the safety of riding without a fixed leash.

We will update this post soon with action video of the latest prototype in action on the water!

Please post your comments below for the chance to win one of our newly released hoodies!

[vimeo]13184776[/vimeo]

Ocean Rodeo, Performance Over Hype!

The information I have seen is limited and I’m interested in widths, thicknesses, accurate outlines, rail shapes, and descriptions of rocker lines, also fin placement, sizes, shapes, etc.

Often a “brochure” such as what can be linked to on this site, shows inaccurate outlines, so I’m not sure if we’re getting an accurate visual of what the new line offers.

This is an exciting line-up for Ocean Rodeo. I want more info.

Anyone? D

I weigh 180 lbs and I’m really athletic.  I’m good at flying kites, I jump out of airplanes and I’m good at all board sports I’ve gotten into.  I just have not been able to really push myself due to the fact that I messed up and got a small foil kite therefore I’m unsure if I’ll even like wakestyle.  However big air and long lofty grabs, maybe a few loops impresses me especially for snowkiting.  I also learn pretty quick.

I’m thinking about picking up a 12m. rise and here are my reasons.

I’ve heard its lofty and has a decent wind range.  I can’t find any specs online about the wind range of a 12m rise, so I’m saying 12m for the 13-15 mph wind range. I don’t plan on going out and draining my adrenaline in 13mph, but i’d still like to be able to practice at a local field, maybe even throw on a landboard.

I have heard of people flying a 10m razor in 12-14 mph, but I’m assuming they are pretty experienced.  Can anybody give me any guidance on this?  I’m pretty open to all suggestions. 

Thanks!

I can’t wait! Lets pray for some wind!

Craig