An Australian federal court has ordered Mobil Oil Australia to pay A$16 million (about $11.3 million) after finding that the company misled customers about the quality of fuel sold at several petrol stations in Queensland.

The ruling followed legal action by the country’s consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which accused the company of falsely promoting its “Mobil Synergy Fuel” as containing special additives that delivered extra benefits to car engines.

Mobil Oil Australia, which is owned by U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil, admitted that between August 2020 and July 2024 it made claims that were not accurate. According to regulators, the fuel sold at the affected sites was the same, or largely the same, as standard fuel sold at non-Mobil stations without added enhancements.

The misleading promotions appeared across nine Mobil-branded petrol stations located in northern and central Queensland, including areas such as Yeppoon, Proserpine, Biloela, and Rasmussen. Signage and branding at these outlets suggested customers were buying a superior product, a factor the regulator said likely influenced purchasing decisions.
The Federal Court of Australia agreed with the regulator that the conduct breached Australian consumer law.

ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said the claims could have led motorists to choose Mobil stations under the belief they were getting fuel with special performance benefits.

In response, Mobil said it has removed or covered the disputed claims at sites that did not sell Synergy fuel and acknowledged that mistakes were made.