GOODMagazine asked:

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If we’re addicted to oil, our twelve-step program should begin with admitting that we have a problem. As the price of oil creeps higher, finding new energy sources is more important than ever. But the search for alternatives, combined with environmental disruptions, is putting new pressures on other essentials like food. There are some things that are going well in the world. Right now, the economy is not one of them.

Animation & Design by Chris Weller
Directed by Max Joseph
Music: “Genesis” by Justice

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GRANVILLE

Tim LaGanke, Jr. asked:


An oil change franchise enables you, the investor or “franchisee”, to operate a well-known oil change business from a larger company, or “franchisor”. This allows the franchisee to use the franchisor’s name for limited time, along with some assistance and possibly limitations.

You will find that some oil change franchisor’s are not very picky about who buys into their oil change franchise. Most of the time, all an oil change franchisor will care about is whether or not you can pay the fees, and, assuming you have a spotless legal record, they will usually trust you to do the work. These particular oil change franchisors will give the oil change franchisee a lot of freedom to develop his or her branch of the business their way, but they may not offer too much help when a great need arises. Then there is the other extreme of an oil change franchisor who will constantly micro-manage the franchisee, and will go to great lengths to insure a great number of checklists and communication are taking place.

Oil Change Franchise Cost

You will have to pay a franchise fee, and you will then be given a system developed by the company, or “franchisor”. Any oil change franchise (as well as any franchise, in general) are required, by law, to present the franchisee a document called the Uniform Franchise Circular Offering (UFOC). The UFOC outlines the franchisee’s fees, as well as their individual rights and restrictions.

The franchise fee is really only the beginning cost, as you will also need to pay for real estate deposits, utilities, supplies, insurance, office equipment, site preparation, site building, advertising, licenses, permits, legal, plus operating capital. All these costs plus expenses can equal two to three hundred thousand dollars or higher. A buyer should consider a lawyer if he or she wishes to negotiate the contract of the franchisor. If a buyer needs to apply for a loan, there are many SBA loans that are easily available for those in the market for an oil change franchise.

As you can see, you will definitely need a lot of money before you buy into an oil change franchise. However, you should be able to make up for the expense with the percentage of gross profits. It may take a while before you make some “real money” from this investment.

Therefore, in order to maximize on your profits of your oil change franchise, there are a few factors you need to consider: market, name-recognition, and staff.

The Current Market

Look at where you want to open your oil change franchise, and ask yourself if there are already plenty of places where customers can get their oil changed. You don’t want to open up an oil change franchise where there are already several available. After all, most people in that area will have already developed a relationship with their current oil change station. However, this may be a love/hate relationship. If you want to start your oil change franchise in an area surrounded by “healthy competition”, you should ask the people in the area what they think about the oil change businesses that they use. Keep your ears open to the usual complaints, such as: “they charge too much”, or “the service wasn’t good”, or “they take too long”. One of the favorite complaints of oil change franchises is when a customer takes the car in for what he or she believes to be a simple oil change, but the mechanic ends up recommending other high-priced (and sometimes unnecessary) repairs to the vehicle.

Once you know the weaknesses of the other oil change businesses, ask yourself a few questions to see if you can fill a need that your competition can’t.

Can you do an oil change in less time? Most customers want to be in-and-out of their oil change in less than an hour, some as soon as ten or fifteen minutes. If you know a way that you can do a quality job and shave off a few minutes less than the competition, then you have a definite edge.

Can you perform an oil change at a substantially lower price? If Wal-Mart has taught us anything, it’s that customers are most attracted to the product that dents their pocketbooks the least. You might be surprised how quickly the word gets out if your prices are substantially lower than your competition.

Can you offer a customer friendlier service? Believe it or not, customer service is often the least emphasized aspect of most businesses, but the one that actually brings in the most sales. You would be surprised at how much repeat business you will receive if you show a customer that you care about them. Even businesses that charge higher and do a bad job can succeed if they have friendly people working there.

Name-recognition

Before choosing an oil change franchise, you should check the name and reputation of the company. Feel free to call other businesses of that oil change franchise. Talk to the franchisor, and listen to their experiences. If they seem like they don’t want to talk about it, or seem rather discouraging, better move on to the next oil change franchise on the list.

If you haven’t learned this real-world business lesson yet, then listen now: a great name is no guarantee of high earnings. If you want to view the earnings of a particular oil change franchise, many of the oil change franchises will have earnings claims on their UFOC.

Name recognition is also helpful as a market strategy. If location is not important when starting your oil change franchise, you should consider starting one in an area where there are several successful oil change franchises of the same company. You should then establish your oil change franchise of same name somewhere on the outer edge, away from the other oil change franchises. The reputation of the other franchises will automatically boost your oil change franchise even before your base of operations is built.

Staff

Once you have franchising rights, you are probably going to have to hire the talent on your own. You are more than likely going to have to hire from whoever is the best in your immediate area. Unless you’re willing to go to other oil change businesses and head-hunt, you might have to resort to inexperienced labor. Fortunately, an oil change isn’t something that requires too much training, but many oil change franchises are also full-service businesses as well. You might need some prime mechanics, if you can get them. Hopefully, you know a few trustworthy people who know the ins and outs of a car, and would have no problem adapting to oil change for a living.



ADALBERTO

Stig Kristoffersen asked:


Capital Oil is at the moment exploring for oil in two licenses called Kubash-Lukva and Maydan, outside Ivano-Frankivsk in the western Ukraine.

On the 7th of December 2006 Capital Oil signed an exclusive Joint Activity Agreement (JAA) with the Ukrainian state and Oblast owned company Bohorodchanynaftogaz (BNG). This agreement outlines that Capital Oil will have the operative responsibility for BNG in the exploration of oil and gas in the two licence blocks that is owned by BNG. BNG.

The oil fields are shallow, and contains low sulfur oil of good quality, around 36° API. Together the proven resources are assumed to be around 19 MMBO in a pessimistic scenario and up to 57 MMBO in a most likely scenario. This estimate is outlined in a totally independent report given by the Moscow office on behalf of the scottish oil consultancy company TRACS International Ltd. The resource estimate has its basis in analysis of 15 wells drilled during the 1960s and 70s.

The licenses are prospective and has an acreage of 44,5 km2. The concession owner can produce up to 10 percent of the total resources proven. License owner is BNG, but all operations are handled by the organization established within the framework of the JAA with BNG, Svenska Capital Oil AB and LLC Capital Oil Ukraine. Swedish Capital Oil AB will keep86 percent from the net profit from the JAA., LLC Capital Oil Ukraine will have 1 percent, while BNG will maintain the remaining 13 percent.

The exploration licenses of Capital Oil are located in the north western part of Ukraine at the foothills of the Carpathians. The well developed hydrocarbon prolific basin stretches from Poland to Ukrainian and then into Romania. This region was the first region to be set into production in Europe already at the second half of the 19th century.

The Ukrainian part of the basin was active up to 1960s when the focus shifted to the then newly discovered huge resources in Siberia.

The licenses of Capital Oil had a relatively low production from layers at a couple hundred meters up to the late 1950s. During 1960-70 a larger number of exploration wells were drilled in order to explore horizons at around 2000 meters depth or more.

The Carpathians were formed around 20-30 millions years ago during the Alpine development. The geology is characterized by trusted fold belts. Sediments of interest as reservoirs were developed during Cretaceous to Tertiary time. The sedimentary environment was deep marine sandstones and siltstones together with claystones.

The fold belt has introduced several opportunities for oil traps were oil and gas from deeper layers have been migrated up into and been trapped in porous layers capped by impermeable clays.

Capital Oil explores for oil below the old production levels were oil shows are seen in wells drilled during the 1960-70s.

The larger anticlines ( in range of several kilometers) of Kubash-Lukva and Maydan-licenses forms trap mechanisms which are drilled at the moment. The anticline of Kubash-Lukva is situated to the west and Maydan one in the east part of the area of exploration. The first exploration well of Capital Oil will test the layers in the Kubash-Lukva anticline as in Maydan these layers explored in Kubach-Lukva are eroded and deeper reservoir layers are explored here at a later stage.

In a press release of April 4th, Capital Oil reports that oil has been encountered in the second exploration well in the license.

As in the first exploration well there are indications of several oil layers and in the second well ranging from 215 to 366 meters depth.

In January 2008 Capital Oil started the second exploration well drilling in the license. Preliminary results from the well logs and cores proves several oil layers ranging from 215 meters to 366 meters depth.

Leif Larsson, general manager of Capital oil proclaims that these indications proves possibilities for production is good.

As in their first exploration well, the oil layers are relatively shallow. This is in line with Capital Oil assumptions and assumptions of low production cost as well.

The exploration well is planned to 1050 meters depth for test of the deeper layers as well.

The well test is assumed to finish during April month this year.

The drilling of the third well will start immediately after finishing the second well.

In a press release of April 21st, Capital Oil announces production of oil from its first well in the license.

A revitalization of Europe’s oldest oil province is ongoing now. The first test production of oil from the first exploration well in north western part of Ukraine has been performed.

The test production of the first exploration well in Kubash-Lukva prospect area has been initiated. The drilling was initiated in October 2007 and finished in January 2008 within indication of oil layers within it.

In the beginning of April Capital Oil proved oil in its second exploration well and in April the third exploration well was initiated. A total of four exploration wells are planned in the initial exploration campaign.

The General Manager Leif Larsson comments that so far they have gotten the results they expected, and that the findings are a result of thorough geological analysis of wells in area as well as seismic interpretation.

In the next phase Capital Oil will drill production wells, which are going to be shallow only down to oil layers and hence not so expensive and faster to drill.

The oil which is produced from the first exploration well comes from layers which are 150 to 350 meters depth and is of same high quality as certain North Sea oils. The company states it is too early to comment on the size of the field.



DAVID

oilpaintingchina asked:


Chinese oil paintings and realist oil painting

Chinese oil paintings since the beginning of the fall, and “realism” and “realist painting” has a natural link, or from a certain sense, the beginning of the period of Chinese oil paintings is the “realist painting.” Chinese oil painting in the way of development, “realism” and “realist painting” has always been associated with it.

     Chinese oil paintings and the history of the development of China’s social and cultural development, changes in the history closely linked, it is accompanied by a knowledge of Western and other natural and cultural knowledge to enter China. The starting point for the development of Chinese oil paintings, is well documented from the Ming Dynasty in Ningbo, Zhejiang Jiajingnianjian the Portuguese in the establishment of the Hong Kong Trade Shuangyu base, the painting will bring this art form in China. Later in the Wanlinianjian (European Renaissance painting at this time is an important period in the history of the development), due to religious reasons, the Italian missionary Matteo Ricci to a painting of God, Our Lady of the paintings to China. According to records, the 1610 Tour Wen-hui’s “portrait of Matteo Ricci” has realistic approach, clearly the relationship between brightness, which can be deduced, You Wenhui of China earlier study and practice of European oil paintings. To the Qing Dynasty, many Western missionaries for the court is satisfied that, with the Qing Emperor Kangxi in Beijing between the missionaries and Gongtinghuashi Lang Shining as the representative, he worked in China, the life of 51, after Emperor Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong three dynasties . He used the Western oil painting concepts to the performance of the Chinese characters “Xiangfeirongzhuang map”, opened a real painting with Chinese content of the precedent. Some scholars believe that this also is China’s realist painting “The first map.” The development of early Chinese oil paintings are generally three ways, first missionary to preach the culture, and second, followed by the court to accommodate the culture of painting, and the third is in the cultural and economic exchanges in the “civil painting.” Chinese oil paintings start from the beginning with “realism” style. Some scholars from the Guangdong exported start painting on that Guangdong is the birthplace of Chinese oil paintings, where you can find Chinese realist painting at the initial start of the cultural and artistic works. Some scholars from the Shanghai Museum soil Hill Bay Exploration focus on painting, oil painting that China’s modern master Xu Yong-ching, Ding stunning, ZHOU Xiang, Zhang Hui charge, Zhang Yuguang, such as Ren Bonian, “have received here in Western art education . Territories Bay Hill painting in the Museum, is the court in the northern West painting interrupted,”the Guangzhou coastal export oil painting after painting”in the re-rise of China and Turkey. Although the time across a century, but the history of Shanghai has once again chosen to Western painting East wind of a historic turn for the better, but also laid the future Shanghai will become the basis of a major Chinese oil paintings. “Soil Bay Hill Museum paintings produced sculptures, practice painting, oil painting and home-made paints, specialized manual sketching, realistic atmosphere rich, To become “China’s cradle of Western painting.” Chinese oil painting in the process of development, Transocean Xunmeng, gains Western Modernist painting of the first practice, also gains the Lingqi realist painting, mechanical Moreover, the two can not be separated. “Westernization Movement” to promote Chinese painting in the spread of emerging art education has driven the rise of realism style. The rise of Western painting groups also promote the development of China’s realist painting. Founded in Shanghai in 1915’s “Oriental Art” in the form of groups to promote the spread of Western painting, to promote a scientific attitude to artistic creation, to stand as the main means of painting, drawing Dan Gaoxiang take into account indoor and outdoor paint, and actively promote outdoor Painting, further carry forward the style of realism. After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, Chinese oil paintings into a tortuous and difficult period of development. This “difficult” and the people’s suffering, linked to national survival. Is the most significant artists, in particular, a number of important artists in this period of adversity, in the baptism of war, inspired by passion, real life experience to the suffering and national disaster, in-depth, experience in the rear shoulder Anti-Japanese National Salvation of the great historical mission, this generation of artists in the blood flow to the country and the nation’s destiny, art and life of passion, and the development of Chinese oil paintings were integrated into the subjects of great practical and enhanced the art of profound practical significance.

After new China was founded, the reality of the revolution consciously become the mainstream of Chinese painting art, artists, “as the keynote optimism to the revolution, depicting the revolutionary war and socialist construction in the history of life thriving scene. Uncertainties, accurate and powerful, many Painter common pursuit of the arts realm. “Realist realistic painting was exceptional conditions have been greatly developed. 1955, the Ministry of Culture decided to organize the Central Academy of Fine Arts oil painting courses, employing Soviet the teaching oil painting. courses taught sketching teaching system, students focus on improving the basis for sketching and modeling capability, that art comes from life, to encourage students observe the life and works of attention to the social function, the requirements reflect the fiery creation of real life, and guide students to Themes and topics of the master plot of concern. There is no doubt that this course actively promote the development of China’s realist painting, after training a group of Chinese oil painting industry active in the backbone. Of course, after training in the arts reflect on this practice, there are experts believe the other hand, sketching their teaching methods “and not a sketch of China’s experience in teaching the integration of China’s sketch of teaching methods and style of the sketch based on a single. “In subsequent years, advocates of revolution and revolutionary realism, the combination of romanticism, political and artistic standard, facing the reality of China through ups and realist painting, distort, to reflect on the years and rational thinking. During a return to the reality of the “native intelligence”, advocated by honest approach to the grim portrait of life, to the performance of simple theme Native revealed living in difficult environment in the people’s heat and warmth of the noble dignity. During a realist painting of China’s serious reflection, in summing up both positive and negative lessons for China on the basis of realistic painting of the new knowledge and new exploration. After the seemingly silent and variables, the Chinese contemporary realist painting is still active, being mature. “This door”origin”in the growing depletion of the art form has been dissolved in Chinese people’s aesthetic habits, renewable pleasing to the Chinese oil paintings. Realist painters who are not in order to make an example, it inadvertently to the contemporary Fufan Art presents a necessary accomplishment: To master a kind of art form, is bound to a long-term extraordinary efforts. “

Realist painting walked all the way, hastened the birth of modern Western art of the genre, in the time of the birth of Chinese oil paintings, but also a realist deep zone de Patinagem de traces the art of oil painting. Or that Chinese oil paintings come out in time, undoubtedly have the impression of Western painting and after all the art schools affected, but in essence said that the Chinese oil painting at the starting time of the basic characteristics of a “realist painting.” China’s realist painting of Faren and foreign missionaries preaching the culture is closely linked to that of imported Western painting is not only oil paintings, watercolors, copper engraving, and other kinds of painting, the study of Chinese oil paintings of realism started to explore the introduction of Western art, Depend on a variety of types of art painting and its artistic spirit. The study of Chinese realist painting, but also explore the Westernization Movement, Restoration Reform Movement, the New Culture Movement and other Chinese political and cultural development background, when Kang Youwei Although the history of Western painting there were misreading, but the realism of the Western oil paintings still have problems Insights, in his “Travels 11 countries in Europe,” Rafael praised the painting as “T Yi Yi Miao, lively, more Rao Yun Xiang, Cheng Yi also God,” and “show its health-Yun, who must have independence “And” far from angry, Shenmiao forced true, the name is true also, “These kind words are” realistic. ” Kang Youwei respected realist “classic” and his words deep. Chen Duxiu in the “art of revolution - by Lu Zheng,” also said, “the painter must be realistic, and be able to play to their talent, painting their paintings, ancient Kejiu not charged.” Chen Duxiu on the “art revolution” And “realism” and “spirit of realism,” the idea of the May 4th Movement in the new culture of science, carry forward the spirit of democracy have had a profound impact. Chinese oil paintings in the development process, from time to time there are “local” and “outside,” the academic struggles and the “local” to the advent of Chinese oil paintings dating back over 2,000 years ago with Oil for painting pottery patterns. Academic issues can still explore. And the general sense, of “realism oil paintings and Chinese oil painting”, often starting in the cultural missionaries to preach. Of course, in recent years, there are writings discussed how the evolution of classical realist painting to contemporary “as a new” painting, which involves China should advance with the times realist painting of a problem.

http://www.oil-painting-china.com

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GREGORY

Raymond J asked:


I have a large pile of small metal drum parts that are completely covered in what appears to be motor oil. I have removed the oil from the larger parts with Simple Green and a scrub brush but I’m definitely not looking forward to cleaning the smaller parts that way because it’ll be very labor intensive.

Does anyone have any ideas on other ways to remove the oil? Are there any household products that I can soak the parts in that will remove all or at least some of the oil? Boil them? Any products that aren’t too toxic?

Thanks.

BRENTON

Oilyboyd asked:

We’ve already burned through almost half the world’s supply of oil. How will we ride out the slide down the other side of Hubbert’s Curve? For more information, go to: http://www.energychallenge.tv/

FRANKIE