CBIL Logo
CBIL
Petroleum & Energy
All Base Oil

SN500 Base Oil

The volume neutral stock for engine & industrial oils

SN500 is the highest-volume solvent-neutral grade in the world lubricant trade and the backbone of most blends. It contracts against kinematic viscosity at 40°C (roughly 90–110 cSt) and 100°C (10.5–11.5 cSt), viscosity index (≥ 95 Group I, ≥ 100 hydrotreated Group II), flash point (≥ 220°C COC), pour point (≤ -6°C) and ASTM colour (≤ 2.0 Group I, ≤ 0.5 Group II). Group I SN500 carries sulphur around 0.3–0.9% and saturates in the 70–85% band; Group II is hydroprocessed to under 0.03% sulphur and over 90% saturates. That difference is not cosmetic — it changes oxidation life, additive response and volatility, and it is why an API SN/SP engine-oil formulation will usually name Group II while a mineral hydraulic or industrial oil is content with Group I.

A blender reaches for SN500 rather than SN150 when the formulation needs body and film strength as the base rather than dilution — mono- and multigrade engine oils, gear and transmission oils, hydraulic and turbine oils, grease base fluid, and as the middle of an SN150/SN500/bright-stock ladder that lets you hit any SAE grade from three tanks. Where SN500 runs out is at the top end: if you need KV100 above roughly 12 cSt without going synthetic, bright stock does what SN500 cannot. The Strait of Hormuz has been severely restricted since 28 February 2026, and base oil that loads inside the Gulf is not moving normally. CBIL brokers virgin Group I and Group II SN500 from South Korean and Singaporean refiners and from Middle East supply that loads outside the strait against COA and SGS verification of viscosity, VI, flash, pour, colour and sulphur. Supply is arranged in 24 MT flexitanks, ISO tanks and new steel drums on FOB, CFR and CIF terms, spot or on term contract to smooth your blending schedule.

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices chemical parcel tanker chartering on LaycanDesk.

Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.

Indicative reference

$780–820 USD / MT

as at September 2026

IncotermsFOB · CFR · CIF
OriginsSouth Korea, Singapore, UAE blending hubs (Fujairah)
PackagingFlexitanks (24 MT), ISO tanks, new steel drums
HS Code2710.19

Reference level only — not an offer, and reviewed quarterly. Levels shown are as at September 2026. Firm pricing is quoted per RFQ, subject to volume, terms and inspection.

South Korea · Singapore · UAE blending hubs (Fujairah)

Typical Specification

Kinematic Viscosity (40°C)90–110 cSt
Kinematic Viscosity (100°C)10.5–11.5 cSt
Viscosity Index≥ 95 (Gr I) / ≥ 100 (Gr II)
Flash Point (COC)≥ 220 °C
Pour Point≤ -6 °C
Sulphur0.3–0.9% (Gr I) / ≤ 0.03% (Gr II)

Specifications are indicative and adjusted to the agreed contract and destination requirements. Final spec confirmed on COA / SGS.

Available Grades

SN500 Group I (Solvent Neutral)SN500 Group II (Hydrotreated)SN400 / SN600 Heavy NeutralSN650 Heavy Neutral

Applications

  • Engine-oil blending
  • Gear & transmission oils
  • Hydraulic & turbine oils
  • Grease base fluid
  • Industrial & compressor oils

Category

Petroleum & Energy

Incoterms

FOB · CFR · CIF

Pricing basis

USD / MT

Inspection

SGS / Intertek at load port

SN500 Base Oil — buyer questions

What is the practical difference between Group I and Group II SN500?

Sulphur and saturates. Group I SN500 runs 0.3–0.9% sulphur with 70–85% saturates; Group II is hydroprocessed to under 0.03% sulphur and over 90% saturates. That gives Group II better oxidation stability, lower volatility, cleaner colour and better additive response. Modern API SN/SP engine-oil formulations generally require it. Mineral hydraulic and general industrial oils usually do not, and Group I remains the economic choice there.

Can SN500 alone cover my whole SAE grade range?

No, and it is not meant to. SN500 is the middle of the ladder at 10.5–11.5 cSt @ 100°C. You pull down to lighter grades with SN150 and push up past roughly 12 cSt with bright stock. Most blending plants run all three tanks precisely so any SAE grade falls out of a two- or three-component blend rather than a special purchase.

Do you supply against a COA before shipment?

Yes. Every parcel we broker ships against a COA plus independent SGS verification of viscosity at 40°C and 100°C, VI, flash point, pour point, colour and sulphur at load port. If your incoming spec has a tighter window than the standard grade sheet, tell us up front — it changes which allocation we work.

How quickly does SN500 pricing move?

It tracks crude and refinery run rates but lags them, and Group I availability is structurally tightening as older solvent plants close. Term contracts price the security of supply as much as the barrel. If you have a predictable monthly draw, a term structure is usually worth more to you than chasing spot.