Thailand’s lube demand fell in August for the first time five months amid a sharp dip in engine oil consumption.Lower lube consumption contrasted with still-firm domestic and overseas demand for the country’s base oils supplies.The buying interest is likely to hold firm as the ongoing closure of more of Asia’s Group I base oils production capacity leaves Thailand an increasingly key source of the supplies.The country’s lube consumption of 32,900 kilolitres (29,100 tonnes) in August fell from 38,500 kilolitres in July and by 13% from year-earlier levels, government data showed. Consumption of passenger-car engine oils fell by 18% from year-earlier levels and of heavy-duty engine oils by 19%.The slowdown coincided with an unexpected fall in Thailand’s industrial production in August. A dip in tourist arrivals in August also curbed activity in that sector.PTT Oil and Retail was the country's largest lube supplier in August for the first time in four months. PSP Specialties was the second largest and Shell Company of Thailand (Shell) the third largest.Shell had been Thailand's largest lube supplier during the previous three months to July.Thailand’s consumption of base oils from domestic refiners held firm in August even as the country’s total lube consumption fell.Consumption of more than 13,000 kilolitres rose by 16% and for a sixth month in seven from year-earlier levels.Rising consumption of Group I base oils supplies from domestic suppliers coincided with and likely partly reflected a drop in availability of Group I base oils from other sources in Asia.Firm demand for Thailand’s Group I base oils extended beyond the country, reflecting the increasingly tight regional availability of the product.Supply is set to tighten further following the planned closure of a key Group I base oils plant in China this month.The move could increase China’s buying interest in Group I supplies from Thailand.Thailand’s total base oils exports of close to 25,000 kilolitres in August were the highest in eleven months.Its exports of more than 10,000 kilolitres to China were the highest in eighteen months..Japan’s August base oils output falls.China’s Sept base oils output rises.Singapore’s Aug base oils imports rise
Thailand’s lube demand fell in August for the first time five months amid a sharp dip in engine oil consumption.Lower lube consumption contrasted with still-firm domestic and overseas demand for the country’s base oils supplies.The buying interest is likely to hold firm as the ongoing closure of more of Asia’s Group I base oils production capacity leaves Thailand an increasingly key source of the supplies.The country’s lube consumption of 32,900 kilolitres (29,100 tonnes) in August fell from 38,500 kilolitres in July and by 13% from year-earlier levels, government data showed. Consumption of passenger-car engine oils fell by 18% from year-earlier levels and of heavy-duty engine oils by 19%.The slowdown coincided with an unexpected fall in Thailand’s industrial production in August. A dip in tourist arrivals in August also curbed activity in that sector.PTT Oil and Retail was the country's largest lube supplier in August for the first time in four months. PSP Specialties was the second largest and Shell Company of Thailand (Shell) the third largest.Shell had been Thailand's largest lube supplier during the previous three months to July.Thailand’s consumption of base oils from domestic refiners held firm in August even as the country’s total lube consumption fell.Consumption of more than 13,000 kilolitres rose by 16% and for a sixth month in seven from year-earlier levels.Rising consumption of Group I base oils supplies from domestic suppliers coincided with and likely partly reflected a drop in availability of Group I base oils from other sources in Asia.Firm demand for Thailand’s Group I base oils extended beyond the country, reflecting the increasingly tight regional availability of the product.Supply is set to tighten further following the planned closure of a key Group I base oils plant in China this month.The move could increase China’s buying interest in Group I supplies from Thailand.Thailand’s total base oils exports of close to 25,000 kilolitres in August were the highest in eleven months.Its exports of more than 10,000 kilolitres to China were the highest in eighteen months..Japan’s August base oils output falls.China’s Sept base oils output rises.Singapore’s Aug base oils imports rise