U.S. markets are still reasonably active for the time of year. European coastal markets have picked up after a slow start to the month, and August space has tightened out in Asia too.-by Adrian Brown

Japans lubricant demand for full-year 2019 is expected to fall by 1.4 percent to 1.4 million metric tons, according to a recent press release by the Petroleum Association of Japan.

United Kingdom-based Hydrodec Group this week unveiled details of the sale of its Australian hydrotreater - to its biggest shareholder, who will have the plant dismantled and shipped to the U.K.

Balmer Lawrie reported a decrease in operating profit, Tide Water Oil posted a decline in standalone net profit and net profit was up for both Maximus International and Continental Petroleum, while Chevron Lubricants Lanka experienced a drop in profit, each for the quarter ending June 30.