Exhibit 99.18
(Text of graph posted to Ashland Inc.'s website concerning
U.S. Gulf Coast Asphalt Barge Prices)
ARGUS ASPHALT REPORT ((C), 2005 ARGUS MEDIA) U.S. GULF COAST ASPHALT
BARGE PRICES*
SOURCE: Argus Media
Information concerning Argus may be accessed at www.argusonline.com.
Ashland makes no warranties or representations concerning any information
posted or distributed by Argus, including without limitation information
contained on its website.
Argus Asphalt Report U.S. Gulf Coast Asphalt Barge Prices ($, per Ton)
'01-'05
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Avg by Month
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------------
Jan 71.69 73.31 144.31 113.69 106.55 161.00 101.91
Feb 64.25 91.69 167.00 111.65 110.13 176.13 108.94
March 68.50 102.50 156.25 116.06 115.75 229.75 111.81
April 72.13 120.75 138.75 125.69 134.88 243.13 118.44
May 78.88 139.75 120.20 142.35 149.80 285.05 126.20
June 87.44 145.75 121.38 155.25 155.75 314.13 133.11
July 94.75 131.63 121.50 156.88 166.25 329.20 134.20
August 102.35 122.56 126.75 154.40 172.65 135.74
Sept 106.42 117.63 128.81 153.50 177.94 136.86
Oct 100.44 114.44 127.19 145.44 181.20 133.74
Nov 86.25 98.75 118.50 126.60 160.88 118.20
Dec 69.00 94.58 115.00 110.69 153.00 108.45
Annual Avg. 83.51 112.78 132.14 134.35 148.73 248.34 122.30
*Argus Asphalt Report monthly liquid asphalt barge price averages for East
and West Gulf Coast f.o.b. refinery sources. Prices represent
non-polymerized AC-20 or PG 64-22 grade asphalt.