Future-Proof Base Stocks: Expertise from Dr. Courtney Mitchell Abana

Dr. Courtney A. Mitchell Abana brings deep expertise in finished lubricants—from formulating passenger car and heavy-duty oils to managing OEM relationships and now driving innovation in commercial base stocks. Her insights help shape our product strategy, ensuring our offerings are aligned with real-world performance needs and future specifications.

Future-Proof Base Stocks Backed by Decades of Technical Excellence

At ExxonMobil, our base stock enterprise is built on a legacy of innovation, scale, and deep technical partnerships. With a heritage rooted in the strength of both Exxon and Mobil, we’ve cultivated long-standing relationships with regional and global additive companies and a diverse customer base across industries and applications. Our commitment to the lubricants business is unwavering, demonstrated by strategic investments in our refineries and product portfolio to meet evolving market demands.

Since 2015, we’ve expanded our capacity and upgraded our facilities to serve customers reliably and meet their performance needs. From Baytown’s low-temperature property enhancements to saturates content optimization, to major upgrades to capacity and quality in Singapore (2015, 2025 CRISP) and Rotterdam (2018), our infrastructure reflects our dedication to quality, adaptability, and customer success. We don’t just produce base stocks—we engineer them to be future-proof, continuously evolving our grades and capabilities to support our customers’ ambitions.

Meeting Today’s Demands with Tomorrow’s Solutions

Lubricants are evolving rapidly, and ExxonMobil is leading the charge. Our latest Group II base stocks investments in Rotterdam and extra-heavy Group II in Singapore, along with the upcoming Group III expansion in Baytown, are designed to meet the increasingly complex demands of modern engines and equipment. These investments are not just about capacity—they’re about capability. We’re delivering high-performance base stocks that enable efficient blending, superior oxidation stability, and robust low-temperature properties.

Anticipating PC-12 and Beyond

Since 2022, the American Petroleum Institute (API), in collaboration with industry partners, has been working on Proposed Category 12 (PC-12) — the twelfth iteration of the API’s oil service classifications for heavy-duty engine oils, currently scheduled for licensing January 1, 2027. The upcoming PC-12 specification is driven by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate for stricter emission control standards in heavy-duty engines starting with the 2027 model year. With a 75% reduction in NOx and a 50% cut in particulate matter, OEMs must deliver engines with longer service lives—up to 800,000 miles. ExxonMobil is ready to support our lubricant blenders’ needs.

We’re leveraging our technical expertise and scale to address these challenges head-on. Our base stocks support lower viscosity trends and offer a wide array of options for both market-general and bespoke formulations. We work closely with additive companies to co-develop optimized solutions, ensuring our products meet the stringent demands of PC-12 while maintaining durability, cleanliness, and efficiency.

A Full Portfolio for Every Need

In North America, our Group II MN, EHC 65, remains the base stock of choice for 15W-XX commercial lubricants, offering superior blend efficiency. As viscosity trends shift downwards, EHC 45 (light neutral Group II+) in addition to our recently announced Group III offering provides the flexibility to meet full-range needs, including future PC-12 requirements. From extra-light neutral (XLN) to extra-heavy neutral (XHN) viscosities, our portfolio is designed to support every lubricant application with quality and performance.

Whether you're formulating for passenger cars, commercial fleets, or industrial machinery, ExxonMobil Basestocks deliver the quality, consistency, and innovation you need to stay ahead. We have your bases covered!

About Dr Courtney A. Mitchell Abana, PhD

Dr. Courtney A. Mitchell Abana has 15 years of professional experience with a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Hampton University. Having worked for several Global Fortune 500 companies, she has been awarded and recognized for her expertise in product ideation, process optimization, and technical innovation. Courtney joined ExxonMobil in 2016 and has held various Technical, Marketing, and Sales roles, including Driveline and Electric Vehicle Fluid Formulator, OEM Technical Advisor, and Passenger Vehicle Lubricants Product Manager. To date, all her roles have been centered around leveraging products and/or technology to meet customers’ unique needs.

Dr. Abana’s passions include recruiting, retention, and outreach, specifically for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. One of the ways she pursues her passions is by serving on several boards, all aimed at increasing the talent pipeline of minority students in STEM professions, including the Hampton University Engineering Advisory Board, Morehouse School of Medicine’s Biomedical Technology Board and the non-profit Free Inspiration Reaching Everyone (F.I.R.E.), where she currently serves as the Director of Operations.

Courtney is also active in professional organizations including the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA).

When not working or serving the community, Courtney spends time exploring Virginia, where she now resides; cooking; and traveling with her husband of 9 years, Chike Osita Abana, MD, PhD, and their two daughters, Chidimma Zoe (6) and Chikaima Zuri (3).