However, a few buyers say there are some deals to be found, with one or two sellers offering below-market prices for certain grades. They admit though that these sale offers have been largely restricted to the last few weeks of December.

Consumers also say that despite a fairly quiet backdrop, stock positions are in good shape, and they have no need to buy additional volumes during this holiday period.

Suppliers generally concur that they are not participating in moving base oils at rock-bottom prices, as they too have sufficiently balanced inventory positions.

One trader said that he had pursued buying a large slug of heavy vis product, but a key supplier backed away from the year-end transaction saying that it did not have ample material to fill the order. Another producer may pick up the slack, although no confirmation of the trade could be verified on Tuesday.

Downstream business is also viewed as sluggish, but players in that arena are optimistic that finished lubricant activity will perk up in mid-to-late January. Players also speculate that the coming first-quarter finished lube business should easily surpass that booked one year earlier.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, crude oil prices snapped a nine-day losing streak, gaining some fresh upward momentum on the back of U.S. crude stocks falling last week, and colder-than-normal weather, which analysts believe will boost demand for heating oil.

In base oil industry news, Ergon yesterday appointed Craig Busbea to be vice president of the Petroleum Specialties Marketing Div. for North and South America. Mike Burnett, who previously held that position, told Lube Report that he is leaving Ergon effective Dec. 31. And today Jeremy Kriska, formerly with Nynas, is to begin his new role as director of sales and marketing for Tulstar Products.

Motiva plans a partial catalyst change during a routine maintenance turnaround at its Port Arthur, Texas, plant, commencing mid-January. The turnaround should have no impact on the market. One train will be down, and downtime is estimated to be about three weeks, according to industry sources.

Due to heavy fog in the Houston area for the past week, waterborne shipments were delayed, but as of Tuesday, barge and cargo traffic was moving again.

At the close of the Tuesday, Dec. 15, NYMEX session, light sweet crude futures ended at $70.69 per barrel, a loss of $ 1.93 compared to the week-earlier settlement at $72.62/bbl.

Carolyn L. Green, based in Houston, can be reached directly at carolynlgreen@gmail.com.

Historic U.S. posted base oil prices and WTI and Brent crude spot prices are available for purchase in Excel format.