What Is SN150 Base Oil? Applications, Specifications and Industrial Uses

Understanding SN150 base oil

SN150 is a Group I solvent-neutral base oil. Under the API 1509 base oil classification, Group I covers base stocks containing less than 90% saturates and more than 0.03% sulfur, with a viscosity index between 80 and 120. These are the original mineral base oils produced by traditional solvent refining of vacuum gas oil — a refining route that has been operated globally for more than seven decades.

The solvent refining process

Group I production starts with vacuum distillation of long residue from atmospheric crude distillation. The resulting vacuum gas oil cuts are processed through three classical steps: solvent extraction (using furfural or NMP) to remove aromatic compounds, solvent dewaxing (using MEK/toluene) to remove waxy paraffins and lower the pour point, and hydrofinishing to improve color and oxidation behavior. The output is a family of solvent-neutral grades typically labeled SN100, SN150, SN500 and SN650, each with a defined viscosity range.

What "SN150" actually means

The letters SN stand for Solvent Neutral — solvent-refined, with a neutral pH after finishing. The number 150 refers to the Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) viscosity measured at 100°F, an older imperial unit still used in the lubricants trade. SN150 therefore has a viscosity of approximately 150 SUS at 100°F, equivalent to a kinematic viscosity of roughly 28–32 cSt at 40°C and around 5.0–5.5 cSt at 100°C, with a viscosity index typically between 95 and 105.

This places SN150 in the light-to-medium viscosity bracket — heavier than SN100 but considerably lighter than SN500. The combination makes it a natural choice as a primary base stock for general-purpose automotive and industrial lubricants where higher-viscosity grades like SN500 are blended in to fine-tune final viscosity grade.

Typical SN150 specifications

The table below summarizes the typical specification ranges for Group I SN150 base oil that buyers should expect on a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Use this as a reference when reviewing offers from suppliers.

Disclaimer: Actual specifications vary by refinery and producer. Always request a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and the latest Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before placing an order.

Common industrial applications of SN150

SN150's balanced viscosity profile and predictable blending behavior make it one of the most versatile base stocks in industrial lubricant production. Typical end-use applications include:

• Automotive lubricants — multi-grade engine oils (often blended with SN500 or bright stock), monograde diesel engine oils for older fleets, and basic transmission fluids in markets where Group I formulations remain dominant.
• Industrial lubricants — circulating oils, compressor oils, slideway oils, turbine oils for older equipment, and general machinery lubricants in manufacturing plants.
• Hydraulic oils — ISO VG 32 and VG 46 hydraulic fluids for industrial hydraulic systems, mobile equipment and machine tools, especially in price-sensitive segments.
• Gear oils — industrial gear oils, automotive gear oils and open gear lubricants where SN150 is blended with heavier grades to meet specific viscosity targets.
• Metalworking fluids — neat cutting oils, rolling oils, quenching oils and rust preventives that rely on a stable mineral oil carrier with good wetting properties.
• Grease manufacturing — lithium, calcium and complex soap greases where SN150 contributes to base oil viscosity and helps balance penetration, dropping point and shear stability.

SN150 vs SN500

SN150 and SN500 are the two workhorse Group I solvent-neutral grades used in lubricant blending. They are almost always specified together because blends of light and heavy neutrals are what allow formulators to hit specific finished-product viscosity grades.

In practical formulation, a 20W-50 engine oil might be blended with roughly 60–70% SN500 and 30–40% SN150, while an ISO VG 32 hydraulic oil will be predominantly SN150 with only a small SN500 component. The ratio is the formulator's primary lever — which is why secure parallel supply of both grades is essential for any lubricant production line. Read the related guide on Group II base oil supply chain for how SN500 equivalents move through the regional market.

SN150 vs Group II 150N

SN150 and Group II 150N occupy almost the same viscosity slot but come from very different refining routes. The choice between them is one of the most common procurement decisions for lubricant manufacturers.

Refining differences

SN150 is produced by classical solvent refining — extraction, dewaxing and hydrofinishing. Group II 150N is produced by severe hydrocracking and hydroisomerization, a more capital-intensive process that saturates aromatic rings and removes sulfur and nitrogen at the molecular level. The result is a fundamentally cleaner, more uniform base oil.

Sulfur content and saturates

By API definition, Group I (SN150) contains > 0.03% sulfur and < 90% saturates, while Group II 150N contains ≤ 0.03% sulfur and ≥ 90% saturates. The lower sulfur and higher saturates content in 150N translate directly into measurable performance differences.

Oxidation stability and VI

Group II 150N typically delivers a viscosity index of 100–120 and substantially better oxidation stability than SN150, allowing longer drain intervals, lighter additive treat rates and improved high-temperature performance. SN150 still meets the requirements of most industrial and entry-level automotive lubricant specifications, but it cannot match Group II in modern API SP / ILSAC GF-6 engine oils. For premium passenger car formulations, buyers usually move further up to Group III base oils.

Cost considerations and buyer preference

SN150 generally trades at a discount to Group II 150N — sometimes USD 50–150 per metric tonne lower on a CFR basis, depending on the spread between solvent-refined and hydroprocessed capacity in the region. The cost difference is meaningful for high-volume industrial oils, greases and metalworking fluids where SN150 remains the buyer's preferred choice. Group II 150N tends to dominate passenger car motor oils, modern transmission fluids and OEM-approved hydraulic fluids that demand longer service life.

Global supply sources for SN150

Group I capacity has been rationalized in Europe and North America, but solvent-refined SN150 production remains substantial across Asia and the Middle East. The main regional supply origins are:

• Southeast Asia — Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore host long-established Group I refineries supplying regional blenders. Coupled with Port Klang in Malaysia, the region is a primary hub for ISO tank and flexibag shipments into Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• South Korea — while Korea is best known for Group II and Group III capacity, several producers still supply Group I neutrals into Southeast Asia, especially for grease and industrial-oil buyers.
• Middle East — Iran and the broader Gulf region remain significant Group I producers, with material moving by vessel into India, Pakistan and East Africa. Disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have made supply diversification an active concern for buyers.
• Malaysia — Malaysia is a strategic re-export and trading hub for Group I base oils including SN150. Cargoes are aggregated at Port Klang and dispatched by ISO tank, flexibag or bulk vessel across Asia and the Middle East — a route Sanyang Petroleum actively operates.
• Regional trade flows — Platts and Argus benchmark Group I SN150 differentials on a CFR Singapore and CFR India basis. Pricing typically follows Brent crude with a structural lag and reflects the spread to Group II 150N at any given time.

What buyers should consider before purchasing SN150

SN150 is a commoditized grade, but quality and supply consistency vary materially between refineries. Procurement teams evaluating offers should focus on:

• Specification matching — verify viscosity at 40°C and 100°C, VI, flash point and pour point against the current TDS, and request a batch CoA before nomination of every parcel.
• Consistency of supply — confirm the producing refinery, not just the trading origin. Switching refineries mid-formulation can shift color, oxidation behavior and additive response.
• Logistics — review CFR vs FOB economics, port congestion at destination, and lead times. For Southeast Asian buyers, Port Klang origin typically offers shorter and more predictable voyages than Middle East cargoes routed through Hormuz.
• Packaging options — choose between ISO tank (20–25 MT), flexibag (20–22 MT), 200L drums, IBCs (1000L), tank truck or bulk vessel based on warehouse handling capacity, end-use volumes and downstream packaging requirements.
• Technical documentation — require TDS, batch CoA, SDS (REACH / GHS compliant where applicable), and the SGS or equivalent third-party inspection report at load port.

SN150 supply from Sanyang Petroleum

Sanyang Petroleum is a Malaysia-based principal trader of industrial petroleum products serving lubricant manufacturers, industrial blenders, importers and distributors across Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. Our base oil portfolio includes Group I solvent neutrals (including SANYANG Base Oil SN150), Group II 150N, Group III and Group III+ base stocks, naphthenic base oils, TDAE, RPO and white oils.

We operate from Port Klang with ISO tank, flexibag, drum, tank truck and bulk vessel logistics. Every parcel is supplied with full technical documentation — TDS, batch CoA and SDS — and pricing is referenced to recognized industry benchmarks (Platts, Argus) on FOB, CFR or CIF Incoterms. As a member of Canven Group, Sanyang Petroleum maintains direct relationships with refinery-origin supply, enabling stable long-term contracts as well as spot cargo offers.

For higher-performance applications, buyers can also evaluate Group III base oils from our portfolio, or compare against re-refined alternatives like REBASE-150 for ESG-driven procurement programs.

Frequently asked questions