U.S. lubricant sales volumes in the third quarter of 2005 fell 3.4 percent compared to the same period of 2004, according to the latest data from the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association.
The associations Quarterly Index on Lubricant Sales, released Jan. 12, showed volumes for the third quarter falling across all major sectors of the market, reversing a slight uptick for the second quarter. The market has now see-sawed between decline and growth for seven consecutive quarters.
The latest survey reported a 3.3 percent drop in volumes of automotive lubricants, compared to the third quarter of 2004. Demand for industrial lubes slid 4.5 percent, while grease sales were off by 1.9 percent. Sales of process oils declined by 2.7 percent.
Overall, third quarter sales were 5.8 percent lower than the quarterly average for 2002, the index year for the survey.
The report included revised data showing a scant 0.1 percent increase in lube sales for the second quarter. Originally the association reported a decline of 0.2 percent for that period.
The report includes third quarter base oil production data gathered by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Output of paraffinic and naphthenic base oils totaled 14 million barrels during the quarter, down 11.7 percent from the same period of 2004. Wax production decreased 3.8 percent to 1.3 million barrels.