ExxonMobil Unveils Hydrogen-Ready Lubricant: Jenbacher NX Oil 40

ExxonMobil recently launched the Jenbacher NX Oil 40—a high-performance, long-duration, and hydrogen-ready lubricant designed to maximize performance and efficiency in Jenbacher’s current and next-generation natural gas engines. It meets the stringent design and application standards for Jenbacher Type 2, 3, 4, and 6 engines, helping operators improve uptime, minimize maintenance costs, and optimize performance across applications from data centers to peaking units.

“ExxonMobil’s long-standing collaboration with Jenbacher engines is built on a shared commitment to innovation,” said Janne Haarala, Senior Global Account Advisor, Mobil Finished Lubricants. “With Jenbacher NX Oil 40, we’re setting new benchmarks for oil life and engine cleanliness, helping extend uptime, simplify maintenance costs, and reduce oil usage. I’m confident our continued cooperation will drive even greater success in the future.”

Mobil Finished Lubricants leveraged its Pegasus technology and advanced base oils to ensure that Jenbacher NX Oil 40 maintains stable viscosity over its lifetime, safeguarding natural gas engines while delivering piston cleanliness and extended oil drain intervals (ODIs). In addition to being suitable for data centers and peaking units, the new lubricant can be used in fast- and cold-start scenarios.

“Jenbacher NX Oil 40 demonstrates the synergy between ExxonMobil’s lubrication expertise and our advanced technology and application know-how,” said Luke Pearson, Senior Product Manager for INNIO Group's Jenbacher. “As energy demands evolve, our customers expect to maintain uptime and reliability—factors driving the rigorous field validation program, where the new product demonstrated excellent performance.”

Following over 250,000 hours of rigorous testing, the Jenbacher NX Oil 40 demonstrated low oil consumption and reliable operation at optimized Total Base Numbers, Total Acid Numbers, and oxidation values, enabling extended ODIs without sacrificing engine protection. Also, the lubricant displayed significantly reduced soot formation, lower particle counts, and improved dispersion over longer ODIs. It was tested and validated on gas types with up to 60% hydrogen content.

Baytown Offtake Deal

In May 2025, ExxonMobil’s facility in Baytown, TX, agreed to supply Marubeni Corp. with approximately 250,000 tons of low-carbon ammonia per year. Additionally, Marubeni will acquire an equity stake in the low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia production facility. Once purchased, the ammonia will be shipped to Japan and primarily supplied to the Kobe power plant, a subsidiary of Kobe Steel.

ExxonMobil’s Baytown facility, expected to be the largest-of-its-kind once commissioned, will produce low-carbon ammonia and hydrogen with approximately 98% of CO₂ removed. Per year, the facility is slated to produce over 1 million tons of low-carbon ammonia and, on a per-day basis, up to 1 bcf of low-carbon hydrogen. The company anticipates a final investment decision in 2025, pending additional governmental policy support and the required regulatory permits.

The Kobe power plant intends to co-fire this low-carbon ammonia supply with current fuels to minimize CO₂ emissions by fiscal year 2030. Marubeni will leverage this supply chain to decarbonize various Japanese sectors, such as:

• Power
• Steel manufacturing
• Chemicals
• Transportation
• Other hard-to-abate sectors