Being the last week of the year, the U.S. base oil market was exceptionally quiet as players enjoyed year-end festivities and religious holidays.
Most supply partners have already concluded their responsibilities for 2012 and are now focusing on volumes and deliveries for all of next year for yearly contract purposes. Those customers that have a narrower time frame forcontract obligations are sorting out their needs through the first quarter.
Posted prices were unchanged and there was virtually no discussion of spot offers this week.
At the close of the Wednesday, Dec. 26, CME/Nymex session, front month light sweet crude oil futures ended the day at $90.98/barrel, up by $3.05/bbl from last weeks settlement at $87.93. Brent Crude was trading at $111.11/bbl at the end of the day yesterday,gaining $2.17/bbl from its week-ago level of $108.94. LLS (Light Louisiana Sweet) crude was trading at a premium of about $19.60/bbl to WTI on Wednesday.
Historic U.S. posted base oil prices and WTI and Brent crude spot prices are available for purchase in Excel format.