Shell
The manufacturer of engine oils has officially announced its withdrawal from the Russian market. In response, the gas station network and the Torzhok oil plant have been acquired by a domestic company. Instead of rebranding under the Shell name, they are promoting the Finnish brand Teboil, which has been under Lukoil ownership since 2005. Gas stations have already been renamed Teboil, and the oil products are expected to follow, expanding their market presence soon. The Shell website remains accessible, and the functionality to verify product authenticity remains in place.
Castrol
Castrol has not declared a complete exit, but deliveries have ceased since March. Remaining stock is held by a new distributor unaffiliated with Castrol’s headquarters, and the brand is pursuing parallel import options. Official online storefronts operate with limited access, signaling a de facto closure of the online store and a paused car maintenance service. The question remains why authenticity verification for purchased Castrol oils is not available, given that many officially imported products remain on sale and consumers expect quality assurances. The prudent approach is to buy Castrol only from trusted retailers.
Total
The French parent company paused new investments in joint ventures and in activities related to oil extraction and processing. The Kaluga plant is also shut down. Despite this, current store assortments show minimal disruption to consumer access, and the manufacturer’s and distributor’s websites still function with full features.
Mobil
Official deliveries to Russia have stopped, and there is no longer a link to the brand on Mobil’s global site. Market sources indicate that Mobil oils reached Russia earlier through alternative routes. Turkish products, in particular, have appeared in the supply chain. While the core quality standards remain consistent with global benchmarks, range gaps persist, making some product categories harder to source.
Other brands
Brands like Liqui Moly, Motul, Eni, and Repsol have appeared intermittently. ZIC and Kixx oils from Korean manufacturers continue to operate within Russia. Overall, authentic products remain available but increasingly scarce, with limited and unpredictable deliveries. In this climate, new brands such as Lubex have gained some visibility in the market. Local factories including Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Sintek, and Rosneft continue producing lubricants, despite occasional raw material supply disruptions, especially imported additives. Their lines include modern-engine oils, and domestically produced products are often positioned as reliable substitutes for imports. A key advantage for domestic brands is distribution through branded gas stations, which reduces the risk of counterfeit purchases.
Do not panic
While a severe shortage of motor oils is not imminent, consumers should expect higher prices and a narrowed range. The market may not revert to prior levels, but the current situation is not as dire as predicted, offering a degree of reassurance.
- “Behind the wheel” can also be read in Yandex.Zen. [citation attribution]