Lubricants Association asks FTC to examine pricing behavior of major oil firms.(UNITED STATES/AMERICAS)(Federal Trade Commission)(Brief article)

The Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA; Alexandria, VA) says it has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC; Washington) to examine the pricing practices of major oil company suppliers as the agency considers comments for an upcoming rulemaking. At issue is the "appropriate" way to interpret and enforce the provisions of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act related to preventing "market manipulation in the petroleum industry," says ILMA, which represents independent lubricant and metalworking fluid producers as well as their raw material and service suppliers.

ILMA says it is concerned by "rapid escalation in the prices of base oils sold by …