That’s right to my question.  Unless oil sitting in a sump has some remarkable property of creating an ‘oily atmosphere’ that permeates the engine space, it seems like the working engine parts would have no less oil on them in a drained engine than one with oil sitting in the sump doing nothing.  The working parts are not sitting in an oil bath during storage.   What am I missing?

On the ‘old oil’ question, my understanding is that it’s about additives, not age.  So the closed can of oil doesn’t expire, but the additives protecting the engine get used up (use, not time).
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/do-i-need-a-tbn/

From: Jim. Felder
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2021 2:55 PM
To: Gene P
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: Any advise on timing of an oil change before or afterwinterstorage

Not a stupid question at all. And all of this has been good, worthwhile discussion. I would guess that >> oil keeps water away from engine metals<<.  

On Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 4:45 PM Gene P <olgreywoof@gmail.com> wrote:
Stupid questions department –

Basic question – if the van is being “stored”, that is, not run, why would it need to have oil in it?  Stated another way, what beneficial role does oil play while it’s sitting in the pan, not being circulated?