(1)H NMR spectroscopy, combined with pattern recognition techniques (PCA and SOM) was used in discriminating base oils and refinery-intermediate products. Both PCA and SOM enabled correct oil discrimination into groups in accordance with API 1509. Moreover, information about the structural compositions of the samples, correlated with their physical and chemical properties, was provided. The PCA score plot enabled component identification and semiquantitative analysis of binary mixtures of base oils, including semisynthetic oils. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.