Brazil’s base oil production jumped by 66% in March, according to data released this week by a government agency.
Base oil production in the South American country reached to 52,000 tons in March, compared to 31,000 tons compared to the same month last year.
Through the first quarter, base oil production was up 32% at 160,000 tons, compared to 121,000 tons in the same period last year.
The base oil plant at the Duque de Caxias Refinery, known as Reduc, produced about 43,000 tons in March, 60% more than 27,000 tons. Owned by Petrobras, the plant has annual Group I production capacity of 584,000 tons per year.
The Lubnor base oil plant owned by Petrobras in Fortaleza, in the northeastern state of Ceara, produced about 4,000 tons in March, a 100% jump from 2,000 tons. Formerly named Refinaria Lubrificantes e Derivados do Nordeste, or Northeastern Lubricants and Derivatives Refinery, its plant has 68,000 t/y annual naphthenic base stocks production capacity.
The base oil plant at Mataripe Refinery in Sao Francisco do Conde produced about 4,500 tons in March, a 67% rise from 2,700 tons. Owned by Mubadala Investment Co. and operated by its Acelen subsidiary, the plant has annual Group I production capacity of 91,000 t/y.