U.S. base oil production decreased 5% in April, compared to the same month last year, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
Output was 4.6 million barrels in April, compared to 4.9 million barrels 12 months earlier. The April figure was the highest monthly total since 4.9 million barrels in January.
Compared to prior April production totals, it was the lowest total U.S. base oil production since 4.5 million barrels in April 2020.
For the first four months of the year, U.S. base oil production declined 9% to 17.5 million barrels.
Production of paraffinic base oil in the U.S. was down 5% at 3.9 million barrels in April. It was the highest paraffinic production volume since 4.2 million barrels in January. Naphthenic base oil production in the U.S. decreased 4% to 789,000 barrels. It was the highest naphthenic production for a month since December’s 813,000 barrels.