Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc., commonly referred to as Unioil, is a Filipino-owned petroleum company engaged in fuel retailing, trading and distribution, lubricants manufacturing, specialty oils, and bitumen supply. Founded in 1966 by the Co family, the firm originally operated as a lubricants manufacturer before expanding into the broader downstream oil industry. Its corporate headquarters are located in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines.[1]

Over the decades, Unioil has grown into one of the country’s major independent petroleum companies. It is widely recognized for its early adoption of Euro-compliant fuels, including Euro 5 gasoline and diesel, positioning itself as a proponent of cleaner mobility in the Philippine market. In 2025, Saudi Arabian energy giant Aramco completed a strategic investment acquiring a 25% equity stake in Unioil, marking a significant milestone in the company’s corporate development.[1]

According to its corporate profile, Unioil is the third-largest petroleum company in the Philippines and operates more than 184 retail stations nationwide.[1]

Foundation and early years

Unioil was established in 1966 by the Co family. Unlike many competitors that began as gasoline retailers, the company started as a lubricants blending facility in Valenzuela, Metro Manila. This foundational focus on lubricants manufacturing and distribution provided the technical base for its eventual diversification into the wider petroleum sector.[1]

Partnership with Idemitsu

In 1994, Unioil formed a partnership with Idemitsu, a major Japanese petroleum corporation. This agreement designated Unioil as the exclusive licensed distributor and blender of Idemitsu products in the Philippines, significantly strengthening its standing in the local lubricants market.[1]

Deregulation and retail expansion

The deregulation of the Philippine petroleum industry in 1998 served as a pivotal turning point. Following this policy shift, Unioil expanded beyond lubricants into fuel trading, distribution, and retailing. The company officially entered the retail service station business in 2002, launching the distinctive orange-branded stations now familiar to Filipino motorists.[2]

To support national growth, Unioil extended its infrastructure beyond Luzon, establishing an oil depot in Mindanao in 2003. This facility enabled the development of a supply network serving regions outside Metro Manila.[3]

Expansion into the Visayas

In 2024, Unioil opened a new fuel terminal in Cebu with a storage capacity exceeding 100 million liters. Designed as a supply hub for the Visayas region—including Bohol, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar—the terminal stores imported Euro 5-compliant fuels. This infrastructure project marked the company’s evolution from a Luzon-centric operator to a nationwide petroleum network.[1]

A defining characteristic of Unioil’s modern brand identity is its emphasis on lower-emission, Euro-compliant fuels. The company introduced Euro 4 diesel in 2012, ahead of the Philippine government’s mandate. In 2017, Unioil became one of the first local brands to offer a complete range of Euro 5-compliant fuels.[4]

Euro 5 fuel contains a maximum sulfur content of approximately 10 parts per million (ppm). This lower sulfur level allows advanced emissions-control technologies to function effectively, thereby reducing harmful vehicle exhaust. Unioil’s current fuel lineup includes:[5]

• Euro 5 Diesel
• Gasoline 91
• Gasoline 95
• Gasoline 97

These products are marketed with a focus on fuel quality, engine performance, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.[5]

While primarily a petroleum company, Unioil has integrated emerging technologies into its service offerings. In 2017, it installed electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at selected service stations, describing itself as the first Philippine fuel brand to do so.[1] This initiative aligns with the company’s broader strategy to position itself as an energy provider preparing for the transition toward sustainable transportation.

Aramco investment

In 2025, Unioil secured a major strategic partnership with Aramco. On February 19, 2025, the companies announced an agreement for Aramco to acquire a 25% stake, which was officially completed by November 2025.[1] This partnership provides Unioil access to Aramco’s global resources and expertise while strengthening Aramco’s presence in the Philippine downstream market. The collaboration is also expected to introduce Aramco and Valvoline branded products to Filipino consumers.[1]

Repsol lubricants partnership

Unioil’s original lubricants business continues to evolve through international alliances. In 2025, Spanish energy company Repsol acquired a 40% stake in Unioil Lubricants Inc. through its subsidiary Repsol Downstream Internacional. Under this agreement, Unioil Lubricants manufactures and distributes Unioil, Idemitsu, and Repsol lubricant brands, linking the company’s 1966 heritage with major global petroleum players.[1]

Unioil’s operations encompass several key areas:

• Fuel retail: A nationwide network of orange-branded service stations selling gasoline and diesel.
• Fuel trading and distribution: Wholesale importation and distribution of petroleum products supported by terminal infrastructure.
• Lubricants: Manufacturing and distribution of automotive and industrial lubricants, maintaining long-standing ties with international brands.[1]
• Specialty oils: Marketing of specialized petroleum products for industrial applications.
• Bitumen and asphalt: Supply of materials primarily used for road construction and maintenance.[2]
• Electric vehicle charging: Provision of EV charging facilities at select locations to support emerging transport technologies.[1]

Unioil has built its brand around themes of change and cleaner mobility. Marketing campaigns such as “You Drive Change” and the hashtag #ItsGottaBeU connect consumer fuel choices with environmental responsibility.[1] The company’s distinct orange visual identity contrasts with its environmental messaging, as it positions itself as a contributor toward a net-zero Philippines.

In a market historically dominated by large multinationals like Petron, Shell, and Caltex, Unioil occupies a unique niche as a Filipino-founded independent company with significant infrastructure and global partnerships. Its trajectory can be summarized as a progression from a lubricants manufacturer to a nationwide petroleum company with strategic ties to global energy leaders.[1]

Unioil remains associated with the Co family, though its ownership structure evolved in 2025 with Aramco’s acquisition of a 25% equity interest. Separately, Repsol holds a 40% interest in Unioil Lubricants Inc.[1]

The corporate headquarters are situated at:
38th and 39th Floors, Exquadra Tower, #1 Jade Drive, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, Pasig City 1600, Philippines.[1]

Unioil is notable in the domestic petroleum industry for several factors:

1. Longevity: Operating since 1966, it has six decades of history in the Philippine energy market.
2. Filipino ownership heritage: Founded and developed locally by the Co family.
3. Diversification: Active across retail, wholesale, lubricants, specialty oils, and bitumen.
4. Cleaner-fuel leadership: Early adopter of Euro standards, introducing Euro 5 across its range in 2017.[4]
5. Energy transition: Pioneer in integrating EV charging infrastructure into fuel retail.[1]
6. International partnerships: Strategic alliances with Idemitsu, Repsol, and Aramco connect the local firm to global energy networks.
7. National footprint: Infrastructure spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, extending well beyond its original Metro Manila base.[1]

As of 2026, Unioil operates as a diversified petroleum and energy company with more than 184 retail stations and terminals covering the major island groups of the Philippines.[1] Its strategic direction combines traditional petroleum operations with sustainability initiatives, EV infrastructure, and international partnerships. From its origins as a 1966 lubricants blender, Unioil has grown into a nationwide enterprise whose modern identity centers on fuel quality, innovation, and the transition toward cleaner energy.

1. Who We Are | Unioil
2. Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc.
3. Unioil
4. Unioil offers complete line of Euro 5-compliant fuels in PH
5. Fuels | Unioil