Pakistan’s February lube demand rises

Pakistan’s lubricating oil demand rose to an eight-month high in February amid a sharp rise in industrial oils consumption.

Sales rose from year-earlier levels for a second month even amid an ongoing slowdown in everything from vehicle manufacturing and sales to cement and oil products consumption.

Total lube sales of 13,610t in February rose from 11,460t the previous month and by 10pc from year-earlier levels, according Oil Companies Advisory Council.

Consumption of transport lubricants rose by 5pc in February, and industrial oil lubricants by 22pc.

Higher sales in February contrasted with a fall in Pakistan’s base oils output to an eight-month low of 9,670t.