EMEA Base OiL Report Week: 30/10/18
Base oil prices softened over the past week in response to an oversupply that is growing for some grades, particularly API Group I grades within Europe. The situation is being exacerbated by plentiful supplies of Group II being offered as replacement for Group I. Some refiners talked of cutting Group I production, but this hasn’t happened to any significant extent, and with inventories growing, producers and resellers are offering large discounts for Group I solvent neutrals. Traders recounted calls from Group I suppliers offering availabilities for prompt November lifting with exceptionally attractive prices, some well below market levels. This is a reversal of normal trading practice, where traders contact sellers to check availabilities, prices and dates. Crude oil and feedstock prices steadied this week at levels lower than recent highs. Dated deliveries of Brent traded at $77.20 per barrel for December front month, around $2.50 below last week’s post. West Texas Intermediate dropped around $2.00 to $67.15/bbl, now also for December front month. ICE LS gas oil was little changed from last week, recording a price of $709 per metric ton for November front month. These prices were established from London ICE trading late Monday. read more