The Energy Exchange in a news release said it has been retained by Sinclair Oil Corp. to manage the sale of 29 Sinclair branded retail stations located throughout six states. The stations up for auction are being offered three ways; with a 10-year Sinclair branding and fuel supply agreement, without supply or for alternative use with a petroleum deed restriction.

According to the release, 26 locations are being offered with real estate and three are leased locations.

The stations are located in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.

Earlier this year, Sinclair made a commitment to exit the retail side of the petroleum business by the first quarter 2010.

“We have already sold approximately 60 locations to and through our jobber network, and this current offering aligns us with our company goal to get out of the retail business entirely by early next year,” said Bud Blackmore, senior vice president of Marketing and Supply for Sinclair Oil Corp.

Bidders may bid on one, some or all of the stores, with the sale deadline Dec. 15.

Philip Boyd, managing director of Energy Exchange said the sale is expected to generate a high level of interest from “prospective operators due to the fact that many of the locations have large convenience stores with car washes.”

Sinclair has grown to become the seventh largest oil company in the U.S. The original Sinclair Oil Company began marketing the Apatosaurus (Brontosaurus) company mark in 1930, which after nearly 80 years remains one of the most recognizable corporate logos in the world.