U.S. base oil production decreased 4% in September, although naphthenic base oil production experienced a 16% jump in volume, according to U.S. government agency data released Nov. 30.
In September, U.S. base oil production decreased to 4.5 million barrels, compared to 4.6 million barrels in September of 2022, the U.S Energy Information Agency reported. It was the fourth-lowest production volume for a month this year, with the low mark of 3.9 million barrels occuring in March.
Year-to-date through September, base oil production was down 7% at 41.7 million barrels, compared to 43.9 million barrels.
Paraffinic base oil production also declined 7% in September to 3.7 million barrels. That was the fourth-lowest total for a month this year.
Naphthenic production in the U.S surged to 779,000 barrels in September, compared to 670,000 barrels. The naphthenic production volume was the third-highest for a month this year, trailing 789,000 barrels in April and 783,000 barrels in May.
Year-to-date through the first three quarters of this year, U.S. naphthenic base oil production was down 7% at 6.4 million barrels.