Canada’s base oils and lubricants production rose in December, following several months of volatile output late last year.

Production of 46,560m³ (41,240t) in December rose from 31,560m³ the previous month, according to Statistics Canada. The volume was higher than average output levels of 39,060m³ in 2021.

Output of 468,710m³ in 2021 fell by 21pc from 592,850m³ the previous year to the lowest in at least a decade.

The drop in output mostly reflected the impact of a sharp slowdown in production in the months of April and September to unusually low levels.

Canada is home to a premium-grade base oil plant and some re-refined base oils production capacity. Its last Group I base oil plant ceased operations several years ago.