Glyn, Saving on the VI improvers is appalling. And hard to justify if the margins on motor oil are anything like what they were in my time. Admittedly, that was a few decades ago and, in those days, compensated the majors for selling gasoline at break even or less.

 

Absolutely correct and they are charging a premium price for these "Classic oils". Gp1 low VI base oils & high dose cheap VI Improvers.

Motor oil margins only really suck in the US. ROW they are robust. I have recently retired from a global job with a major.

 

Glyn, I spent the first eight years of my oil company career in a fuels/lubricants/combustion R&D centre. However, I kept getting called into offshore projects, where there were more opportunities for engineers, so I eventually made a permanent move upstream and out of products.

 

Somewhat similar to me. I stayed in the downstream with my last 20 years focused on maximising global lubes earnings for the Corp. Also involve in making our additives company relevant in earnings contribution to the organisation. Plus many other things. You know oil companies & multiskilled requirements. Jack of all trades & hopefully a master of one. Restructured every one of our global lubes operations. For decades flew 230 days a year ~ a killer. Happy in country with the locals but very tired of aircraft seats & hotels.