Volume 1 Issue 7

SSY Base Oil Shipping Report

U.S. markets have gone into temporary hibernation. European coastal markets have been rather flat this week as well, while Asia has slowed down in early preparation for the New Year.-by Adrian Brown

Group II Output Begins in Yanbu

Luberef announced last week that it has completed a long-awaited upgrade and expansion of its base oil plant in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, and that API Group II stocks are now being shipped from the facility.

Sasol Completes Wax Expansion

Sasol completed an expansion of its Fischer-Tropsch wax plant in Sasolburg, South Africa, the company announced early last week. It was the second phase of a 13.6 billion rand project that enlarges one of the worlds largest sources of Fischer-Tropsch wax.

Shell Still Aims High in Russia

Shell, the worlds leading lubricant marketer, has seen its business in Russia grow slower than intended, but it still considers the country a strategic hub for expansion of its business in the region.

From Other Editions of Lube Report

BPs Q4 Lubricants Profits Up

BPs lubricants business reported an underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax of $375 million for the fourth quarter, up 5 percent from $357 million a year earlier; and almost $1.48 billion for 2017, down 2.6 percent from $1.52 billion in 2016. The result for the quarter and full year reflects growth in premium brands and growth markets, offset by the adverse lag impact of increasing base oil prices, the London-based company stated in its stock exchange announcement Feb. 6. Replacement cost profit reflects the replacement cost of supplies.

Briefly Noted

Lukoil will supply phosphate-based fertilizer producer PhosAgro with over 2,000 tons of lubricants as part of a new partnership agreement. The Russian lubricants company expects the partnership to grow, eventually leading to the development of specialized lubricants for chemical processing equipment and co-created products. American automotive company ACDelco debuted its lubricants products in the Middle East. The lubricants are formulated to address the harsh weather conditions and heavy-duty commercial use in the region.