John,
Over the course of a combined 24,000 miles both my st4 and st4s used oil, especially on long FAST trips abroad. I get through a litre bottle in an average 2500 mile trip. Oil consumption seems better when you reached about 10,000 miles, and it only seems to use much oil when really thrashing it.
I always take a bottle of Mobil1 15/50 with me as its cheaper here and saves either mixing different oils, or searching for your prefered brew.
If you're really worried about the space split the oil into smaller plastic bottles and thow away when used. Might sound mad but i also take old socks etc. and throw them away when used as its less to pack and bring home, more room for wine.
