Latest market news

Spain's Huelva refinery bitumen output still restricted

  • Market: Oil products
  • 14/11/24

Bitumen production and supply from Spain's 220,000 b/d Huelva refinery have been restricted for the past month and there is no sign of a rebound in the near future.

Market participants said a change in the refinery's crude slate away from bitumen-rich grades is probably the main reason. But the operator — Abu Dhabi-owned Moeve, formerly known as Cepsa — has not confirmed this.

At least three bitumen cargoes have been delivered to Huelva over the past six weeks to help Moeve meet inland customer requirements, starting with the partial delivery in late September of a cargo that was loaded at the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu on the 14,911dwt bitumen tanker The Chief.

That was followed on 25 October by the arrival at Huelva of a cargo on board the 8,353dwt Castillo de Pambre, which was loaded at Tarragona, where Moeve operates a joint venture 1.2mn t/yr bitumen plant with Spain's Repsol. The third cargo arrived at Huelva in early November on board the 7,995dwt Baustella, also loaded at Tarragona.

Bitumen cargoes have been exported from Huelva during this period, including one shipped from the refinery to Galp's Viana do Castelo terminal in northern Portugal on the 7,500dwt Sheng Hua Wan. The tanker loaded bitumen again at Huelva earlier this week and is due to arrive at Leixoes in Portugal today.

But market participants say they still see no improvement in Huelva's overall bitumen production and supply position.

While Huelva's crude receipts rose to 170,000 b/d last month from 145,000 b/d in September, according to Argus tracking, they were still well below the 190,000 b/d average in the first 10 months of the year. Meanwhile, Argus analysis shows European refiners ran their second-lightest basket of crudes in October since at least 2015, limiting output of heavy products such as bitumen and high-sulphur fuel oil.

Bitumen supply in the Mediterranean has also been affected by the shutdown of one of two crude distillation units at Motor Oil Hellas' (MOH) 180,000 b/d Corinth refinery since a fire on 17 September. MOH does not expect the repair work to be completed until the third quarter of 2025.

The supply restrictions have failed to prevent a gradual slippage in Mediterranean bitumen values as construction activity and asphalt demand fall ahead of the winter season.


Sharelinkedin-sharetwitter-sharefacebook-shareemail-share

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News
02/12/24

Mexico central bank flags 2025 growth uncertainty

Mexico central bank flags 2025 growth uncertainty

Mexico City, 2 December (Argus) — Mexico's central bank (Banxico) maintained its base-case 2025 GDP growth estimate at 1.2pc, with a range of 0.4pc to 2pc, citing heightened global uncertainty fueled by geopolitical conflicts and potential shifts in international economic policies. Central bank governor Victoria Rodriguez last week addressed US president-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25pc tariffs on Mexican goods, urging caution until the trade situation clarifies. Mexican president Claudia Shienbaum initially responded with a firm stance, saying Mexico could apply counter-tariffs. Later, Sheinbaum and Trump had a "friendly" phone call to discuss issues surrounding the proposed 25pc tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports, Sheinbaum said. Banxico raised its 2024 GDP growth forecast to 1.8pc from 1.5pc in its previous quarterly report in August, driven by stronger-than-expected third-quarter performance. Still, Banxico noted that the additional growth is driven by increased spending on imported goods rather than domestic production, particularly in investment and private consumption. Inflation dynamics remain mixed. While headline inflation rose to an annualized 4.76pc in October, core inflation eased to 3.58pc, its lowest level since mid-2020. Rodriguez emphasized progress on inflation despite external uncertainties, signaling room for further monetary easing. Banxico cut its target interest rate by 25 basis points to 10.25pc on 14 November and is widely expected to lower it again to 10pc at its 19 December meeting. Projections from Mexican finance executives institution (IMEF) suggest the rate could drop to 8.25pc by the end of 2025. Banxico also revised its 2024 inflation forecast to 4.7pc from 4.4pc in the August report but expects inflation to return to its 2–4pc target range by early 2025, with a 3pc rate projected by the fourth quarter. Other adjustments include a downgraded forecast for formal job creation in 2024 and 2025, with the range estimate for full-year job creation in 2024 dropping to 250,000–350,000 from 410,000-550,000 in August. The 2025 estimate came down to 340,000–540,000 from 430,000–630,000.The 2025 trade deficit outlook was also tightened to $14.9bn–$22.1bn, compared to a previous range of $13.7bn–$23.7bn. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more
News

Lower prices support German fuel demand


02/12/24
News
02/12/24

Lower prices support German fuel demand

Hamburg, 2 December (Argus) — German demand for heating oil, diesel and E5 gasoline increased in the week to 29 November, supported by a fall in domestic prices. The switch to winter grades and low stocks further boosted fuel demand. Middle distillates traded at lower prices nationwide last week, with heating oil and diesel prices falling by around €0.60/100 litres compared with the previous week. The drop was in line with a decline in the value of Ice gasoil futures, which came under pressure from the prospect of US tariffs against Canada, China and Mexico indicated by president-elect Donald Trump. Oversupply from refineries in the south and west of Germany put further downward pressure on domestic prices last week. Suppliers offered heating oil, diesel and gasoline from Bayernoil's 215,000 b/d Neustadt-Vohburg complex, Miro's 310,000 b/d Karlsruhe refinery and Shell's 334,000 b/d Rhineland complex at lower prices than surrounding loading locations in order to fulfil their contractual offtake volumes by the end of the month. The switch to winter grades supported German fuel demand last week. Consumers ordered smaller quantities of diesel in recent weeks as they waited for the switch to winter specification grades before replenishing their stocks. Since the switch, traded diesel spot volumes reported to Argus have steadily risen. An anticipated €10/t rise in Germany's CO2 tax next year will likely lead to increased stockpiling of product from mid-December, according to traders. End-consumer tank levels for diesel were at just 52pc at the end of last week. The extent to which the increase in the CO2 tax will put pressure on diesel imports depends on whether German refineries can maintain current high throughput levels. For the time being, imports into Germany via the country's northern ports or along the Rhine are not feasible because of the comparatively low domestic prices. By Johannes Guhlke Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

India’s base oil imports rise in 1H FY24-25


02/12/24
News
02/12/24

India’s base oil imports rise in 1H FY24-25

Singapore, 2 December (Argus) — India's base oil imports rose by 33pc on the year to 1.54mn t in the first half of the country's 2024-25 fiscal year, between April and September, data from GTT show. Blenders likely imported more cargoes owing to a decrease in domestic base oil production caused by plant issues and maintenances. This happened despite a slowdown in India's economic growth. The country's GDP is estimated to have grown by 6pc in April-September, compared with 8.2pc in the same period in the previous year, government data show. Vehicle sales in the country reached 1.31mn units between April and September, a 12.5pc increase from the previous year, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam). This likely boosted demand for finished lubricant. Base oil imports in September rose for the second consecutive month to 236,427t, as demand increased towards the end of the monsoon season. South Korea continued to be the top supplier to India, with imports reaching 115,487t in September, an 81pc increase from the previous year. By Chng Li Li India base oils imports t Sep'24 m-o-m ± % y-o-y ± % Apr-Sep FY24/25 y-o-y ± % South Korea 115,487 29.9 80.7 648,412 63.4 Singapore 33,356 -4.8 -31.0 215,775 35.2 Spain 22,896 177.6 201.3 80,309 71.0 Saudi Arabia 20,917 21.6 82.1 120,738 11.2 Qatar 11,047 594.3 1,235.8 78,950 41.3 Total 236,427 11.8 22.1 1,537,599 33.2 Source: GTT Total includes all countries, not just those listed Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Japan’s Oct naphtha imports fall on weak petchem demand


28/11/24
News
28/11/24

Japan’s Oct naphtha imports fall on weak petchem demand

Tokyo, 28 November (Argus) — Japan's naphtha imports totalled 1.18mn t in October, down by 10pc on the year but up by 5pc on the month, according to the country's finance ministry. Naphtha imports were lower on the year, given the continuous weakness in domestic petrochemical demand. This lowered cracker operating rates, which have been weakening since July, by 5.2 percentage points from a year earlier to 77.4pc in October, according to Japan Petrochemical Industry Association (JPCA). Cracker operating rates below 90pc indicate weakness in petrochemical consumption and the Japanese economy, JPCA said. The rates have been below 90pc since August 2022. Against a backdrop of weaker petrochemical consumption, ethylene production by domestic crackers in October fell by 7.4pc on the year to 414,500t. On a year-on-year basis, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride output dropped by 5pc and by 12pc to 174,000t to 121,100t, respectively. Acrylonitrile output fell by 32pc to 21,300t, while styrene-butadiene rubber production stood at 15,600t, down by 25pc on the year. Aromatics xylene and benzene output fell by 2.6pc to 328,200t and by 1.5pc to 232,500t, respectively. By Nanami Oki Japan naphtha imports (t) Oct-24 Oct-23 Sep-24 y-o-y % ± m-o-m % ± Saudi Arabia 40,663 82,359 137,722 -70 -51 UAE 414,109 306,886 564,083 -27 35 Kuwait 205,941 284,441 109,249 89 -28 Qatar 148,927 147,786 195,703 -24 1 Bahrain 0 55,054 24,632 -100 -100 South Korea 179,544 92,986 89,023 102 93 Malaysia 0 0 0 - - India 38,742 0 8,516 355 - China 0 0 0 - - Indonesia 0 0 0 - - Singapore 0 0 0 - - Thailand 0 28,421 27,165 -100 -100 Russia 0 0 0 - - Australia 0 0 66,854 -100 - US 70,425 54,440 26,448 166 29 Others 79,178 69,289 60,090 32 14 Total 1,177,530 1,121,663 1,309,486 -10 5 Source: Finance ministry Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

US Group II base oil margins mixed, prices steady


26/11/24
News
26/11/24

US Group II base oil margins mixed, prices steady

Houston, 26 November (Argus) — US Group II base oil margins over feedstocks and competing fuels were mixed for the week ended 22 November because feedstocks fell and fuels rose. Base oil spot prices were steady because surplus availability tightened for the domestic market. The Argus US domestic spot Group II N100 premium to four-week average low-sulphur vacuum gas oil (VGO) rose to $1.12/USG, up from $1.11/USG last week. Margins remained below year-earlier totals of $1.42/USG. The Argus US domestic spot Group II N100 premium to four-week average US Gulf coast diesel fell to 91¢/USG from 93¢ a week prior. Margins remained above year-earlier totals of 82¢/USG. Domestic Group II light- and heavy-grade spot prices were steady as surplus availability decreased. Market participants are still able to find Group II+ re-refined material at a discount to virgin N100, which is putting a ceiling on N100 prices. Some blenders are seeing re-refined prices stabilize as several producers came back from or are preparing for turnarounds. Four-week average feedstock VGO prices declined because weaker crude values outweighed firmer margins for VGO relative to crude. VGO margins rose because supply tightness outweighed continued weak margins for fuel production. The low-sulphur VGO premium to four-week average WTI crude widened to $12.16/USG from $12.06/USG last week. Refiners are still pushing available VGO supplies toward base oils as competing fuel margins remain thin. By Karly Lamm Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more