Base oil production in the United States increased 6% in January to the highest level in six months, according to data released March 31 by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
U.S. output reached 4.9 million barrels in January, compared to 4.6 million barrels in the same month last year. January’s production volume was the highest reported since 5.1 million barrels in July 2022.
Output for January of 2022 was unusually low for levels recorded for that month in recent years. From 2014 to 2021, volumes made during the year’s first month ranged between 4.9 million and 5.2 million barrels.
Paraffinic base oil production in the U.S. was 4.2 million barrels in January, up from 3.9 million barrels 12 months earlier.
Production of naphthenic base oil edged down 1% to 708,000 barrels, from 716,000 barrels. It was the lowest production volume for a month since 670,000 barrels in September last year.