Japan’s May base oils output falls

Japan’s base oils output fell to a three-month low in May as plant maintenance work cut run-rates.

Base oils output of 201,110 kilolitres (178,150t) in May fell from 210,060kl the previous month, government data showed.

Output also fell from year-earlier levels for a second month, dipping by 9pc.

The fall in output was relative.

Japan’s average base oils production of more than 205,000 kl/month so far in the second quarter of the year was up from 197,500 kl/month during the first quarter, even with the plant maintenance work.

Asia’s Group I base oils values versus diesel trended higher from late January to early May.

They trended lower since then amid signs of sufficient supply even with a round of plant maintenance in the region.