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Eni delays base oil contract negotiations to 2023

  • Spanish Market: Oil products
  • 27/10/22

Italian integrated firm Eni is delaying contract negotiations for its base oil supplies until early 2023, relying on the spot market to sell volumes.

Group I base oil production capabilities are uncertain at its 88,400 b/d Livorno refinery, which may explain why the firm is delaying contract negotiations and committed volumes. Further, discussions are ongoing over a possible conversion of the refinery to a biofuels plant, where base oils and speciality units are based.

These units gradually restarted since 31 July following extended maintenance since a fire broke out in the lubricant plant area in November 2021.

Domestic demand for European Group I base oil spot volumes remains weak, with prices gradually declining in the second half of the year. Argus-assessed spot prices for Group I SN 150 have declined by 22pc since June to average $1,331.67/t in October, probably a result of strong buying activity in the first six months of the year, along with supply tightness as Russian base oils exited the market and several European refineries had overlapping maintenance.

European blender stocks are further weighing on spot market activity and prices.

The resumption of Eni's bitumen cargo exports from Livorno is still awaited, but was expected sometime this month.


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