Base Oil News
Demand Outlook

Base Oils and Lubricants: Weekly Global Market Review - 20 Mar '26

Iain Pocock

  • Shell's Pearl GTL plant halted after an 18 March attack — removing a major source of global Group III shipments with restart timeline unclear

  • US January Group III imports surged from the Middle East before war disrupted shipment flows — Middle East arrivals now set to drop sharply in April

  • South Korea February exports fell to a nine-month low before the Middle East conflict disrupted flows across key markets — curtailing shipments to the Middle East and boosting the need for alternative shipments to the US

  • Asia's December-January surplus fell to a five-year low as demand rose for a seventh straight month — leaving the region more exposed to unplanned supply cuts

  • Singapore exports hit a six-year high, boosting regional stocks — but run cuts and lower imports could trigger a sharp reversal

  • India February imports stayed below typical levels for a second month, leaving stocks tight ahead of peak demand and further supply disruption

  • US exports to Europe and South America hit multi-year highs in January, clearing surplus just as market focus shifted from oversupply to security of supply

Qatar Pearl GTL Plant Halt Tightens Global Group III Supply

Singapore’s Base Oils Exports At 6-Year High In Month To 18 March

India’s February Base Oils Imports Stay Low; Supply Risk Rises

Indian Oil, Re Sustainability Launch Used Oil Circular Economy

US January Base Oils Exports To Europe, South America Extend Rise