OUR HISTORY

With a 100-year heritage, the Gulf brand is globally recognised and trusted by millions of customers. Opening the first-ever branded petrol station in Pittsburgh, USA in 1913, we have led the way in fuel retail ever since. Thanks to our pioneering spirit, we began to develop other sites, branding them with the distinctive orange disc that still forms part of the Gulf logo today. During the 1960s, the Gulf brand developed high profile marketing campaigns, including sponsorship of the Apollo moon landings.

Gulf’s instantly recognisable orange disc is now synonymous around the world with high quality products, innovation and technical excellence. In addition to worldwide coverage for lubricant sales, today Gulf is now present in over 25 countries across the world for both fuel retailing and lubricants, with aspirations of achieving 60 by 2020.

1901

The Beginning: Going under

Gulf launches the world’s first ever water drilling operation
1913

Innovative Thinking

Gulf introduces the first drive through fuel station
1920

Logo

First appearance of the Gulf Orange Disc logo
1926

The concession

Gulf purchases the Barco oil concession
1943

Venezuela Adventure

Gulf establishes a presence in the oil fields of Venezuela
1967

Blue and Orange

The light blue and orange racing colours make their debut
1970

The Man at Le Mans

Steve McQueen’s movie ‘Le Mans’ brings prestige to the brand
1970

A record

Gulf reaches peak production, processing 1.3m barrels daily
1975

Gulf Supporting Porsche

Gulf becomes the only sponsor ever to win Le Mans in a car of its own name
1984

The Hinduja Group

The Hinduja Group acquires Gulf brand to become Gulf Oil International
1993

First production

First production at Gulf Oil Middle East blending plant in Jebel Ali, UAE
1995

India

First production at Gulf Oil Lubricants India blending plant in Silvassa
1998

Philippines

First production at Gulf Oil Philippines blending plant in Pateros, Manila
2000

Argentina

First production at Gulf Oil Argentina blending plant in Lomas del Mirador, Buenos Aires
2004

Trademarked

Gulf becomes the first oil company in history to trademark its racing colours
2006

China

First production at Gulf Oil China blending plant in Yantai
2008

Slippery when wet

Gulf Oil Marine is established, growing rapidly to become one of the top 6 Marine lubricant companies, servicing more than 1000 ports worldwide.
2008

First Delivery

Gulf Oil Marine makes its first delivery. Global port coverage: 400 ports.
2008

Long Interval

Gulf Oil launches the longest drain interval engine oil in India.
2009

Flying High

Gulf Aviation UK established
2009

Barge in

Gulf Oil Marine launches its first time chartered barge. Global port coverage: 750 ports
2010

A record time

Gulf Oil does it again and beats its own record in oil drain interval.
2010

Long Interval Part 2

Gulf Oil launches the longest drain interval motorcycle oil in India.
2012

Long Interval Part 3

Gulf Oil launches the longest drain interval gear and rear axle oils in India.
2012

Global

Global port coverage: 850 ports
2012

Houghton

Gulf acquires the world’s largest metalworking fluids manufacturer, US-based Houghton International.
2013

M.V. Shandong Da Ren

Gulf Oil Marine supplies M.V. Shandong Da Ren, one of the largest ore carriers in the world.
2013

Sea Green

Gulf Oil Marine introduces a full range of environmentally approved products.
2014

900 ports

Global port coverage: 900 ports
2014

Gulf Oil Argentina

Production moves to La Reja, Buenos Aires
2014

Indian market

Gulf Oil listed on Indian stock market
2014

Long Interval Part 4

Gulf Oil launches the longest interval coolant in India
2015

Maltese GOS

Gulf Oil Supply company formed and begins operating in Malta
2015

50M

Gulf Oil Marine sells 50 million litres annually.
2015

Northwest Passage

Gulf Oil Marine supplies M.V. Nunavik, the first cargo ship to complete the polar northwest passage unassisted.
2016

SUV Oil

Gulf Oil launches the first dedicated SUV oil in China
2016

M.V. Dockwise Vanguard

Gulf Oil Marine supplies M.V. Dockwise Vanguard, the largest heavy lift vessel in the world.
2016

Fully Continental

Gulf Retail in 25 countries and a network in all continents.
2016

The award

Downstream Company of the Year award
2016

6 point gain

Gulf from 20th to top 14th downstream companies in last 5 years.
2016

Asia

Expansion of footprint in South East Asia
2017

PowerTrac

Gulf Oil launches “powerful” Motorcycle Oil – Powertrac – with 7% more power.
2017

Hybrid Oil

Gulf Oil to launch dedicated engine oil for Hybrid engines.
2017

Gas & Power

Gulf Gas and Power (gas and electricity supply business) launched in NL and UK.
2017

Ports

Global port coverage: 1,000 ports
2017

100M

Gulf Oil Marine sells 100 million litres per annum
2017

M.V. MSC Michaela

Gulf Oil Marine makes its largest single order delivery of 380,000L to M.V. MSC Michaela at the Port of Newark
2017

Singapore

Gulf Oil South East Asia begins operating in Singapore
2017

Chennai Plant

First production at second Gulf Oil Lubricants India blending plant in Chennai.
2017

Biggest ever global partnership platform

2 WEC teams 2 WSBK teams Manchester United FC King Racing dragbike
2017

500 OEMs

Gulf Oil has around 500 OEM approvals
2017

EELQMS

Gulf Oil is a signatory to EELQMS standards.

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