US blender Pennzoil-Quaker State was the US’ largest base oils importer in 2023, with steady shipment volumes contrasting with a fall in the country’s total imports.
Pennzoil’s base oils imports accounted for more than 23pc of the US’ total base oils imports in 2023, government data showed. The share rose from close to 21pc in 2022.
The blender’s share rose as steady import volumes in 2023 contrasted with a 9pc fall in total US base oils imports last year.
US base oils imports dipped in the face of an unusually steep fall in domestic demand and a pick-up in domestic production of Group III base oils.
Most of the US’ imports consist of Group III base oils.
SK Enmove Americas was the US’ second-largest base oils importer in 2023 with a share of more than 20pc of the total.
It had been the largest importer in 2022 with a share of close to 22pc of the total.
SK Enmove Americas’ share fell amid a 15pc fall in its total import volumes in 2023.
The drop in shipments coincided with a 10pc fall in total US base oils imports from South Korea last year.
The contraction outpaced a 7pc fall in US base oils imports from Qatar.
Most of SK Enmove Americas’ base oils imports originate from South Korea.
Most of Pennzoil-Quaker State’s imports originate from Qatar.
Petro-Canada America was the US’ third-largest base oils importer last year. Shell US Trading was the fourth-largest and Penthol the fifth-largest.
