The quantification of trace elements in used lubricating oil is useful for evaluating wearing of specific components of engines. In fuel oil, such monitoring allows the evaluation of the fuel quality and its potential for metal emissions in the environment. In the present work, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was used for the determination of refractory elements in oil samples. Methodologies were developed aiming the introduction of such organic samples into the ICP as emulsions (with detergent and detergentless). Several nebulization systems were tested with clear advantage for the Meinhard K3 coupled with a cyclonic chamber. The carbon deposition on the injector tip as well as the plasma background was minimized through a careful optimization of the argon and oxygen flows into the plasma. The optimization of experimental parameters allowed quantification using the calibration curve prepared with analyte inorganic standards. An internal standard (Sc) was used for correction of matrix effects for lubricating oil samples.For emulsions prepared with Triton X-100, limits of detection (LD-3ó/m)in the ng g-1 range were calculated for Ni, Mo, Cr, V e Ti. The methodology was validated through the analysis of certified materials from NIST (SRM 1084a, 1085a e 1085b, 1634b) and with analyte spiked diesel oil. Good recoveries were achieved. The performance of the analytical method, in terms of parameters of merit, were comparable with those of established ICP OES methodologies (sample acid decomposition or sample direct dilution in an organic solvent), however, clear advantages in practical terms were found for this developed methodology.