Overview
- Costco raised its Kirkland full‑synthetic 10‑quart two‑pack to about $57.99 and set online and in‑store limits of roughly two units per membership every seven days.
- The retailer also capped Mobil 1 one‑quart six‑pack sales at five per membership and lists that pack at about $44.
- Industry sources and data link the retail moves to a global shortage of premium Group III base oils after Middle Eastern production damage, including harm to Shell’s Pearl GTL and a mostly offline Saudi pipeline.
- Higher crude and fuel margins have pushed refiners to favor gasoline and diesel over base‑oil production, which has tightened supplies and raised costs for full‑synthetic lubricants.
- Trade groups warn pressure could persist into 2027 until new domestic Group III capacity comes online, and the squeeze may raise costs for DIY oil changes and small service shops while rerouting limited stocks across the supply chain.