Europe’s lube demand face a seasonal rise in consumption in the first three months of next year after consumption bottoms out in December.Demand is likely to rise sharply in January from December and then extend the rise over the next two months.The firmer consumption would lift demand to more than 630,000t in the first three months of next year, up from less than 590,000t during the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Baseoilnews short-term outlook.The move would follow a similar pattern to recent years.Lube consumption in the fourth quarter of this year and first quarter of next year is likely to be similar or slightly lower than year-earlier levels.The steadier demand would contrast with a 9pc fall in lube consumption in the fourth quarter of last year from year-earlier levels.The typical seasonal rise in lube demand in the first quarter of the year often coincides with refinery maintenance work in the region. .Europe’s Sept lube demand falls.Asia’s Q1 lube demand set to rise
