Lubricants sector

The lubricants for internal combustion engines, imported or domestically produced, should have the approval of the National General Chemical laboratory without which they cannot be marketed. The products specifications, as well as the methods of quality control of lubricants are standard, and they are described in the resolution nr 176/1994 of the Supreme Chemical Council (OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC of 421/V/6 June 1994).

According to the former decision of the Supreme Chemical Council, the producers and importers of mineral oils in Greece, are compelled to submit to the Petrochemicals Dept.of National General Chemical Laboratory solemn statement in which they will report, for every type of lubricant that produce or that they import:

(a) The commercial name and the code number of product.

(b) The physical and chemical characteristics of product, i.e.:
- Total Base Number (TBN)
- Sulphated ash
- Phosphorus content
- Calcium content
- Barium content
- Zinc content
- Magnesium content etc (those that exist in additives)
- Viscosity index SAE
- Specifications according to API, ACEA etc.

The basic mineral oils, which are used for the production of end lubricant products, are refined fractions of crude oil or synthetic materials or even mixtures of both. The base oils are mixed and treated with special chemical additives in such quantities in order that the final product corresponds completely to the requirements of the desired specifications. In the domestic lubricants market more than 400 different brands are present. However the largest market share of about 60% is distributed among 7 companies of the lubricants sector, included CYCLON. The total capacity of the Greek market of lubricants for 2008 is estimated to 150,000MT.

Fuels sector

The crude oil is imported from oil producing countries (OPEC) and after treatment in the domestic refineries; the various types of fuels are produced. With the exception of the NATIONAL ELECTRICAL COMPANY (DEI) and the Army, that get supplied directly from the refineries, the distribution of fuels in the domestic market is handled exclusively through fuel marketing companies which undertake the supply of the service stations throughout Greece, the industries, households etc The structure of the fuel domestic market is presented in the form that follows

CRUDE OIL I

REFINEMENT
COMPANIES OF REFINEMENT
- HELLENIC PETROLEUM
- MOTOR OIL

PRODUCT IMPORTS

FUEL MARKETING COMPANIES OF MARKETING
EKO - ELDA
BP / MOBIL
SHELL
AVIN
CYCLON
REMAINING

MARKET
- National Electrical Company
- ARMED FORCES

EXPORTS

INTERNATIONAL SALES
- AIRPORT
- SHIPPING

DOMESTIC MARKET
- SERVICE STATIONS
- REMAINING RETAIL SALES
- INDUSTRIAL SALES