The United States produced 4.7 million barrels of base oils in November, 3% less than the same month of 2021 and the fourth consecutive month that the volume failed to top 5 million barrels, according to government statistics released today.
The country’s November base oil production was down from 4.8 million barrels in the same month of 2021, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported. This November’s figure was also about in the middle of the pack for monthly production volumes last year.
During the first 11 months of 2022, base oil production decreased 5% to 52.8 million barrels, compared to 55.9 million barrels.
U.S. paraffinic base oil production decreased 5% in November to 3.9 million barrels – the third-lowest monthly volume last year – compared to 4.1 million barrels in November 2021.
Year-to-date through November, paraffinic base oil production slipped 6% to 44.5 million barrels, compared to 47.2 million barrels.
Naphthenic base oil production rose 5% in November to 783,000 barrels. That was the fourth-highest monthly volume this year and the highest naphthenic production for a month since 888,000 barrels in June.
Through the first 11 months of last year, naphthenic production declined 4% to 8.4 million barrels.