The United States’ base oil production slipped 9% to in July, while production for the first seven months of the year was up 1%, compared to the same period last year, a U.S. government agency reported on Sept. 30.
Total base oil production in the U.S. declined to 5.1 million barrels in July, compared to 5.6 million barrels. It marked the third straight month that production topped 5 million barrels.
Year-to-date through July, production edged up to 35.1 million barrels, from 34.8 million barrels.
Paraffinic base oil production decreased 8% to 4.4 million barrels in July, compared to 4.7 million barrels. July was the fourth straight month that paraffinic production exceeded 4 million barrels, after falling below 3.9 million in January and February.
Year-to-date through July, paraffinic production rose 1% to 29.6 million barrels.
In July, naphthenic base oil production dropped 18% to 749,000 barrels, compared to 910,000 barrels. The month’s volume ended a three-month trend of naphthenic production topping the 822,000 b/d mark and was the lowest figure since 697,000 b/d in March. For the first seven months of the year, naphthenic base oil production was down 1% at 5.5 million barrels.