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Viewpoint: Base oils oversupply tigthens US margins

  • Märkte: Oil products
  • 02.01.26

A global structural oversupply of base oils and finished lubricants weakened US margins throughout 2025, with downward pressure expected to continue into 2026.

Global supplies of Group II base oils increased in 2025 as a result of new output from a Singapore refinery, while production from India is also expected to increase in 2026.

The increased production is leading to more competition on the export market globally and creating more surplus among US refiners for the domestic market.

Base oil demand also weakened in 2025, particularly for Group II grades, due to several factors. More consumers are using passenger car motor oils derived from Group III base oils given its increased performance, which resulted in weaker demand for Group II N100.

Demand for mid-viscosity grades also fell due to reduced trucking and agricultural activities, while demand for high-viscosity grades waned on reduced industrial and manufacturing activity.

The increase in supply and slowdown in demand have weakened base oil premiums to competing fuels, especially in the fourth quarter.

The spread between the Argus US domestic spot N100 and Argus four-week average US Gulf coast diesel narrowed to an average 88¢/USG in 2025 through mid-December, down from 98¢/USG in 2024.

Base oil premiums to diesel typically dictate how much base oil is produced as diesel, gasoline and other products produced at fluid catalytic crackers compete with base oil for feedstock vacuum gas oil (VGO).

Base oil premiums over diesel trended lower in the fourth quarter, hitting a 20-month low in late November at 48¢/USG before rebounding to 61¢/USG in mid-December. Base oil producers are closely watching the spread to see if they can reduce base oil output in parts of 2026.

The overall buildup of global Group II supplies and weaker lubricant demand also pushed US refiners to lower their export prices. The Argus US Group II N100 export price averaged $2.54/USG in 2025 through mid-December, down from $2.77/USG in 2024, further eroding overall base oil margins.

This increased surplus supply within the US market also led to increased discounting, particularly for term volumes to domestic customers. This is expected to continue into 2026, with market participants saying US refiners are offering steeper discounts on 2026 contracts compared with 2025 deals.

Some of the increased Group II surplus is expected to be offset by increased Group III production in the US. Some of that production will come from existing Group II streams and create a yield loss on Group II output, particularly for low- and mid-viscosity grades.

Base oil margins relative to feedstock VGO were more attractive on a domestic basis, but fell when considering base oils sales into the export market.

The spread between the Argus US domestic spot N100 and Argus four-week average low-sulphur VGO averaged $1.22/USG in 2025 through mid-December, in line with previous year values. Argus US export spot N100 margins in 2025 fell to 32¢/USG, down from 39¢/USG in 2024.


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