Tampa: Supply and demand were still in balance last week, but supply appeared to be gaining. Not much has happened since prices for the third quarter were settled a few weeks ago.
In what may be a first, the U.S. Department of Energy said the refinery operating capacity rate was unchanged last week from the week before – flat at 92.6 percent, a fairly high rate.
U.S. Gulf: Prices were still in the $180-$185/mt range for prill exports.
U.S. Imports: June imports were off 13 percent, to 196,921 st from the year-ago 225,703 st. July-June imports were off only 2 percent, to 2.35 million st from 2.406 million st.
West Coast: Chevron was dealing with problems from an explosion and fire at its Richmond, Calif., facility. Sulfur from that plant goes to export, but the world market was not seeing a shortage.
A vessel loading at Long Beach was priced at $190/mt last week.
Benelux: The current price range was $212-$220/mt FOB, although a new price should be posted soon.
Pakistan: Pakistan’s state-owned oil gas production firm, Oil & Gas Development Co. (OGDC), has issued a tender to sell 7,000 mt of sulfur at a minimum base price of Rs23,098/mt (about US$243/mt) in different lots at Ex-Dakhni, Punjab.
The last date for receiving bids is Aug. 30, 2012, according to a company announcement.