Volume 4 Issue 32

France Lube Sales Jumped in May

France’s lubricant consumption grew 20% in May, compared to the same month last year, reflecting continued recovery from a month when COVID-19 restrictions were making an impact in 2020. It marked the third straight month of year-to-year improvement after lower consumption totals in January and February.

Import Restriction Removed in Nigeria

Nigerian lubricant manufacturers – along with producers of other petroleum products – are breathing easier after a provision that would have restricted base oil imports was removed from pending landmark reforms of the country’s energy industry.

Shell Sales in Russia Fell in 2020

Royal Dutch Shell’s subsidiary in Russia sold 6% less lubricants in the country in 2020 due to the negative effects of the pandemic and extended periods of stay-at-home orders, according to comments published recently in an industry magazine.

From Other Editions of Lube Report

Profits up for SK, Castrol India, Apar

Prescribing Oils for Indonesia’s B30

U.S. Base Oil Output Jumped in May

Briefly Noted

BP reported underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $265 million for its Castrol lubricants business in the second quarter, improving 321% from 2020’s second quarter, which was heavily impacted by the onset of COVID-19, and $599 million for the first half of this year, a 160% jump.  Al Babtain Group will distribute Petronas Lubricants International’s engine oils and industrial lubricants in Kuwait under a new partnership. On Aug. 1, Norway-based global maritime group Wilhelmsen began to take over sales, logistics and consulting for Germany-based Kluber Lubrication’s maritime lubricants portfolio, initially within European countries and Southeast Asia, followed by the rest of the world from October onwards.