Argus Global Base Oils Conference

Luyen Vo

Senior Manager, Global Technical Sales & Business Development, Chevron Base Oils

Luyen has 28 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Since joining Chevron in 2002, she has held diverse leadership roles spanning refining, base oils and lubricants technology, technical and commercial sales, and strategy development. In her global role, Luyen integrates technology, research, and business development to advance customer solutions with Chevron’s Group II and NEXBASETM Group III base oil portfolio to address evolving technical and performance challenges in lubricants.

Alicia Logan

General Manager, Chevron Base Oils

In her 33 years at Chevron, Alicia Logan's innovative thinking has built a trail of successes. She grew its convenience store franchise in the west to 800 locations while managing a district with more than 900 petrol stations including Los Angeles, the largest gasoline market in the United States. Under her leadership, Chevron's base oil business has been tackling the dual challenges confronting the industry -- higher performance and lower carbon solutions throughout the value chain. Her first year coincided with the pandemic. By improving agility in the supply chain, Chevron delivered value to lubricant blenders. Logan also turbocharged Chevron's entry to Group III/III+ capacity with the acquisition and integration of the NEXBASE portfolio. Once onboarded she prioritized expanding Group III production to meet evolving specifications and to ensure Chevron offers the right products and services that will deliver the maximum value to customers.

Seungho Seok

Managing Director, S-OIL Europe

Seungho Seok is the Managing Director of S-OIL Europe B.V. and leads its European base oil operations from Amsterdam, including marketing, trading, and logistics. He has built a 25-year career spanning plant operations, global marketing, and strategic project leadership since joining S-OIL in 2000 as a process engineer. He led the launch of S-OIL’s Group III ULTRA base oils, including early customer development and terminal setup in Europe, and continues to drive the company’s presence in the region. He has led the marketing of S-OIL’s major strategic investments throughout his career, such as the #2 PX Project, the RUC/ODC olefins complex, and the Shaheen Project, and has contributed to product strategy, downstream development, and global customer engagement. Seungho Seok brings a rare combination of technical insight and commercial leadership to the global base oil industry, with a chemical engineering background and an MBA from MIT Sloan

Valentina Serra-Holm

Head of Engineered Fluid Solutions, Perstorp AB

Valentina heads Engineered Fluid Solutions at Perstorp. She has nearly 30yr of experience in the lubricant and chemical industry and has held senior technical and commercial roles at Nynas, Calumet and Blaser Swisslube. Valentina holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and a PhD degree in Chemical Plants from the Polytechnic of Turin (Italy), as well as a PhD degree in Chemical Reaction Engineering from Åbo Akademi (Finland). She has authored numerous scientific and technical publications, patents and international presentations in the specialty fluids field.

Marcelo Guimarães

Base Oil Executive Manager, ICONIC

Marcelo Guimaraes was born in 1973, is married to Patricia Mathis, and has two lovely kids. Marcelo graduated from Rio de Janeiro State University with a major in Chemical Engineering, and also holds a master's degree in executive management from Ohio University and FGV University in Rio de Janeiro, later graduating as a Psychologist.

Over the course of his 30 year career, Marcelo has worked for companies such as Chevron, Lubrizol, Champion X, and Ipiranga. Marcelo took on the Base Oil Executive Manager role at ICONIC to build the business unit, develop a supplier and customer portfolio, and enhance infrastructure.

Akshay Tiwari

Global Base Oil Procurement Director, BP Castrol

David Wright

Director General, UKLA

Since 2014 David has managed the UKLA’s operations in Europe providing effective management, leadership and development of UKLA’s Secretariat team; he is constantly developing and maximising membership of the UKLA; delivering quality focused membership services and ensuring efficient, effective management and administration of the organisation. David is also currently the Company Secretary for the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS, a subsidiary of the UKLA). David is an established and experienced senior leader with extensive experience within a variety of association, membership and public sector, not for profit charitable organisations (ExxonMobil and Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors), operating in challenging, fast-moving politically sensitive and regulated environments at board level including leading organisations in senior roles involving defining and setting industry standards, working in partnership with government on programmes of change, and partnering with key industry stakeholders on lobbying and influencing the policy agenda of the day.

Marc Ostwald

Chief Economist & Global Strategist, ADM Investor Services International

Analysing and forecasting the impact of macro / microeconomic trends on a broad range of asset classes, where necessary challenging market psychology and consensus views. The joy of working as a market economist is a constant need to research and learn about the changing landscape of the way that the world works, well beyond the limited scope of economics and financial markets. The desire is to enable and facilitate critical & lateral thinking perspectives on global economic, political and asset market trends; to convey these ideas enthusiastically in terms that are accessible and thought provoking. Having spent much of his childhood in Libya and Iran, Marc has a particular interest in the Middle East, is passionate about music of all genres, and a regular guest on TV & Radio, and widely quoted in the media.

Arjun Lad

Strategic Accounts, Commercial Excellence & Marketing Director, Nynas

Arjun leads strategic initiatives across commercial excellence and marketing, driving growth and customer engagement for Nynas. Based in Eastham, Arjun brings extensive experience in managing key accounts and shaping innovative marketing strategies. With a strong focus on sustainability and ethical solutions, Arjun plays a pivotal role in aligning business objectives with market trends and client needs.

Piotr Gorski

Director, ORLEN Oil

Piotr Gorski began his career as a procurement analyst in the pharmaceutical industry shortly after graduating. He has worked in the refining and lubricant sector since 2005. Until 2018, he was responsible for the comprehensive sourcing and procurement of lubricant additives and base oils. Seven years ago, he started working as a leading merchant in the Strategic Raw Materials Department at the refinery. One year later, he was promoted to head of the department. Mr Gorski is deeply involved in the project to prepare ORLEN OIL for entry into the Group II base oil market in 2026. His main duties cover base oil sales and purchasing – Group I, II and rubber process oils. He links his future professional development with the promotion of process oils and the new Group II Amber Base production and sales at ORLEN OIL in global markets

Pierre-Yves Teyssier

Regional Product Line Manager for Automotive, Small Engines & Viscosity Modifiers, Chevron Oronite

Pierre-Yves has 15 years experience with Chevron Oronite in various positions in Product Developments, Technical support and Sales, including 3 years in Dubai as the Manager of the Chevron Oronite Sales office for Middle East. Now in the position of Regional Product Line Manager for Automotive, Small Engines and Viscosity Modifiers products.

Ed Schouwstra

Global Commercial Manager EMEA, Stolt Tankers

Paul Wightman

Senior Director Research and Product Development, CME Group

Paul Wightman is Director of Product Development for US firm CME’s commodity products. Paul has developed a wide range of products across the commodity markets and is heavily involved in some of the latest initiatives around renewables and alternative fuels. Prior to joining CME Group, Paul headed up the commodity sales team for French bank Natixis where he worked with a number of leading commercial clients in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and advised them on hedging and risk strategies. In a career spanning more than 20 years, Paul has worked for trading platform the Intercontinental Exchange in a product development capacity as well as for leading price reporting agencies in the commodities markets. Paul has an Economics degree from the University of Southampton and speaks French.

Joanne Jones

Senior Director Technology, Lubrizol

Joanne Jones has been with Lubrizol for over 18 years and currently serves as Senior Director, Technology. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives to advance Lubrizol’s technology capabilities, ensuring innovative solutions that meet evolving customer and market needs. Throughout her career at Lubrizol, Joanne has held leadership positions across multiple technology functions after beginning her career in Chemical Synthesis. Her expertise spans lubricant formulation, performance optimization, and technology integration, with a strong focus on delivering value through science-based solutions.

Joanne holds a BSc in Chemistry from Loughborough University and is recognized for her commitment to fostering innovation and supporting customer success across global markets.

David Growney

Technology Deployment Manager, Lubrizol

David Growney has been with Lubrizol for 10 years and currently serves as Technology Deployment Manager in the Engine Oils team. He provides technical support for deploying heavy-duty engine lubricant solutions to key customers, with a strong focus on the European market. Previously, David worked as a Research Scientist, where he specialized in developing fundamental knowledge of engine lubricant additives, their functionality, and their impact on real-world performance.

He is a Chartered Chemist and holds both a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield.

Frédéric Vazzoler

Managing Director TSMS Base Oils, TotalEnergies Supply & Marketing

Frederic joined TotalEnergies in 1996. He started his career at LPG retailer Totalgaz as a regional LPG sales manager, customer call center manager and LPG trader, and in 2005 became general manager for European LPG supply and continental trading. He became global bunker trading director for TotalEnergies Marine Fuels in 2009, based in Geneva and Singapore, and joined the base oil supply and trading desk in Geneva as managing director in 2019. He has 30yr of experience and expertise in trading, supply, storage, price risk management, shipping, global business and worldwide customer portfolio development. Frederic graduated in management and economics from IAE, the French university's institute of law and economics.

Vasilios Monos

Commercial Manager, LPC

Vasilis Monos is the Commercial Manager of LPC, member of the Motor Oil Group. Serving 20 years at LPC, he has progressed through key roles of commercial management positions, from Domestic and Export Sales Account Manager to Head of Exports before assuming to his current role. He specializes in international business development, managing base oil trading activities, strategic planning and supply chain optimization. His leadership combines deep industry expertise with a focus on performance, innovation, and relationship building, shaping strategies that transform market challenges into growth opportunities.

Joris van der List

Technology Manager, Q8 Oils

Joris van der List is the Technology Manager at Q8Oils, leading the technology department and overseeing the global management of lubricants across the energy, metalworking fluids (MWF), automotive, and general industry sectors. With an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Twente and over 22 years of experience in the lubricants industry, Joris has a strong background in product development, innovation management, and sustainability. As the global lead on sustainability at Q8Oils, Joris plays a key role in driving industry progress, serving as a member of the ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee, chairing the Sustainability Downstream Workgroup, and sitting on the board of VSN, the Dutch Lubricants Association.

Deniz Yildirim

Base Oils Supply / Demand Balance Manager, TotalEnergies Supply Marketing Services

Sudip Shyam

Global Head Base Oils, Mocoh

Mr. Sudip Shyam was appointed Global Head Base Oils in Mocoh Group in 2020 and has been instrumental in setting up and profitably leading a global team and base oils trading slate. With a career span of over 25-years in the oil & gas industry, Sudip has extensive experience in Setting up Business Units, Recruitment, General Management, International Trading, Sales & Business Development, Technical Services and Supply Chain Management in the petroleum industry (Base Oils Trading, Automotive / Industrial / Specialty Lubricants). Sudip had been instrumental in creating & running a global base oils trading slate during his GP Global Group years while also leading its finished Lubricants Business. His past work experiences include Heading Base Oils Trading Desk at Optima Energy SA, Geneva, Switzerland; earlier, he also headed Lubricants Business for CONOIL Plc, Nigeria, and prior also worked with Valvoline, TOTAL, CASTROL and GULF OIL in India.

Dennis Eijdenberg

Technical Manager, Interflon

Dennis Eijdenberg is Technical Manager at Interflon’s global head office. As a tribologist, Dennis has been active in technical support in the lubricating industry for almost ten years and has acquired amongst others the title Certified Lubrication Specialist by STLE. Within his current role Dennis is providing training and technical support to the global Interflon teams of technical advisors and lubrication consultants. He is a linkpin between the technical, development and commercial side of lubrication-manufacturing and -application, with a high focus on sustainability and increasing asset reliability and performance. Currently Dennis is involved in several field test of extreme heavy duty EALs, and of several projects in Rail as well as Food and Beverage. Dennis has a clear focus on sharing knowledge, and finding practical solutions for technical challenges and inquiries

Srinivas Ch

Executive Director – Lubes, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

Shailendra Gokhale

Managing Partner, Rosefield DAA International Consultancy LLP

Shailendra Gokhale is Managing Partner at Rosefield DAA International Consultancy LLP. Rosefield specializes in lubricants and the circular economy. He is a globally recognized expert in the energy and lubricants sector. He started his consultancy in the lubricants sector after working for companies such as Lubrizol, Castrol India and BP UK. He consults for various energy majors across the globe. He is also an external advisor to BCG. He has worked closely with NITI Aayog on India's circular economy policy since November 2021. Shailendra is a mechanical engineer.

Galina Kurasheva

Trader, DYM Resources

Galina is a Trader at DYM Resources with over five years of experience. In her role, she is actively involved in base oil trading across international markets, working closely with producers, end-users/manufacturers, and traders. With hands-on exposure to market volatility, price swings, and supply chain dynamics, Galina brings a practical insight into risk management from traders’ point of view.

Leyla Alieva

CEO & Co-Founder, Neol Copper

Leyla holds a degree in financial management and earned her CFA designation in 2007. Her professional background spans over 12 years in private equity and alternative fund management, followed by leading roles in business development and executive management. Before founding NEOL, she served for two years as the CEO of CUPPER GROUP, an independent developer and manufacturer of innovative technical lubricants. Her leadership combines deep financial expertise with a clear vision for sustainability and industry transformation.

Rob Mcleod

Head of Price Risk Solutions, Hartree Partners

Rob McLeod leads Hartree’s Global Risk Solutions group, sharing advice and insight to customers across all industry sectors on energy price risk – from crude and refined products to natural gas, emissions and beyond – and providing hedging tools to help manage that risk. Over the past 17 years, Rob has built a leading franchise in risk management across the energy sphere – structuring solutions to exactly fit clients’ needs, whether as standalone derivatives or embedded into physical supply & offtake. Prior to joining Hartree, Rob worked in energy at UBS. He holds a BSC in Economics from the University of Bristol.

Bhupinder Singh

Director of Global Lubes and Oils Business Development, bluechemGROUP

Nikhil Agarwal

Managing Director, Globestar Energy FZE

Mr Nikhil Agarwal is a dynamic, result oriented leader with a rich experience of 25 plus years in Fortune 500 organisations. He is an engineer and holds an MBA (Marketing & Sales) and MBA (Energy Management) from University of Houston, Texas and Indian Institute of Management. Mr Agarwal used his deep industry knowledge, strong educational background and commercial acumen to set up Globestar Energy FZE, a highly reputed name in base oil trade. Globestar is successfully trading all base oil grades and petrochemicals in MENA, Far East Asia, India and Africa. His past work experience includes senior sales and marketing positions at Elf Lubricants, TotalEnergies India, Reliance Industries and Diamond Petroleum.

Alex Jones

Director Engine Oils and Fuels, Lubrizol

Martine Union

Key Account Manager, GADOT Beligium BV

Martine holds a Bachelor’s in Sales and Marketing from BME Ghent and brings 35+ years in lubricants, additives, and specialty chemicals. Her career spans toll manufacturing, international marketing, and sales leadership—giving her a deep, end‑to‑end view of the sector and its evolving challenges. She began at Chevron, then held senior roles at Afton Chemical, ADPO, and VLS Group before joining the Gadot Group in 2018. A trusted adviser to major international customers, Martine is known for a value‑driven, customer‑centric, and open‑minded approach that builds high‑impact partnerships worldwide. She has advanced lubrication chemistry and industry standards, mentored future leaders, and championed diversity in a traditionally male‑dominated field. In 2023, she received the ACI Lifetime Contribution Award. Beyond work, Martine serves on the board of Soroptimist International Belgium, a global volunteer movement dedicated to educating, empowering, and creating opportunities for women and girls. She blends creativity, pragmatism, and hands‑on leadership in practice.

Dr Ernie Henderson

President, K&E Petroleum

Dr. H. Ernest Henderson received a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Windsor in 1977, after which he spent nearly 20 years with Imperial Oil and Exxon in Research, Marketing, Logistics and Technical Services activities both domestically and internationally.

In 1997, Dr. Henderson joined Petro-Canada as Manager for their Group III research and technical developments, and later was Research Director at Syntroleum Corporation for their Fischer-Tropsch GTL upgrading programs. During his 45-year career, Dr. Henderson has also been Technical Manager for YUBASE Group III base stocks, Fluid Technology Manager for CITGO and Director of Technology for Lubrication Technologies.

In 2011, Dr. Henderson re-launched K&E Petroleum Consulting, LLC. His broad range of base oil expertise includes Group I, II, III, IV (PAO) and re-refined and their application with finished lubricants. His company operates on a national and international basis, specializing in base stock management, strategic planning, new product and process development, Supply Chain management, formulation cost control, raw materials sourcing, patent litigation and training.

Dr. Henderson is a Fellow of the STLE and the Chemical Institute of Canada, a member of SAE and participant in API, AFPM, BLM, ASTM, SAE, STLE and ILMA activities. His involvement with Argus spans over 2 decades as a consultant and speaker at various Argus events, and as a trainer in the areas of base oils, waxes and finished lubricants.

Guo Harn Hong

Global Lead Base Oils, Argus

Guo Harn (Marc) currently holds a strategic management position in Argus, where he leads a global editorial team, steering editorial priorities, methodology and strategy, and works closely with industry stakeholders to secure indexation in base oils.
Guo Harn has proven experience in energy price analytics and has been featured as a thought leader across numerous industry media.

Gabriella Twining

Global Editor - Base Oils, Argus

Gabriella is the global editor of Argus' Base Oils publication, leading the global editorial team and publishing the weekly report. She previously worked as a reporter in IHS Markit’s Maritime & Trade department covering all areas of shipping. And prior to that worked for several years at a ship management company in the Safety Security and Environment department.

John Dietrich

Deputy Editor - Base Oils, Argus

John Dietrich is the base oil reporter for the Americas at Argus. He has covered the base oil market for the past two years and has covered commodity markets for 12 years. John is a product of the University of Missouri’s journalism school and is based in Houston, Texas.