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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