US base oil markets recorded flat pricing in the first trading week of December 2025. Meanwhile, Chevron has cut its posted prices for Group II base oils, pointing to a lower trend for the next weeks. Demand stayed weak due to seasonal downturn for automotive lubricants, and slowing manufacturing. Mexican and South American exports into the buying were limited, while India sought an alternative in cheaper Asian-origin barrels. Supply availability improved after the resumption of Excel Paralubes and better spot flows from Southeast Asia following the ExxonMobil upgrade. NEXBASE 4 XP underwrites Chevron confirming US Group III+ production from Q4 2026, a move that is set to redefine supply of premium-grade, was one such significant development of the market. In the wake of softening crude after OPEC+ output increases and inventory liquidation at the year end, base oil prices in the United States are expected to fall by late December, as noted by market analysts.
