Tampa:
Fourth-quarter Tampa molten sulfur contracts were valued at $183/lt CFR. Rising values reported from international markets were expected to pressure Tampa higher in first-quarter 2022.
U.S. refinery utilization held steady for the week ending Dec. 10, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported. Refiners operated at 89.8 percent of capacity through the period, unchanged from the prior week, but topping last year’s 79.1 percent and the 89.7 percent five-year average.
Daily crude inputs moved lower, however, to an average 15.670 million barrels/d from the week-ago 15.785 million barrels/d, a 115,000 barrel/d decline.
U.S. Imports:
July-October sulfur imports slipped 19.4 percent year-over-year, to 1.05 million st from 1.30 million st. October imports stood at 276,260 st, off 7.9 percent from the year-ago 299,901 st.
U.S. Exports:
October sulfur exports were up 138.8 percent, to 140,776 st from 58,956 st last year. July-October volumes rose 8.8 percent, to 440,320 st from last year’s 404,592 st.
U.S. Gulf:
Updated pricing on sulfur tons selling from the U.S. Gulf firmed to $240-$250/mt FOB during the week, including a reported 10,000 mt FOB cargo priced at $250/mt FOB. Expectations for the next round of business were heard in the $260s/mt FOB.
Brazil:
Recent spot import cargoes into Brazil were reported firming to the $299-$304/mt CFR range, up from $295-$299/mt FOB in the prior report. Contracts for fourth-quarter delivery were quoted at $234/mt CFR, up from $221-$223/mt CFR in the third quarter.
Vancouver:
Improving logistics at Vancouver allowed for firming export values, sources said, with current prices climbing to $245-$252/mt FOB, up from the prior $230-$235/mt FOB range.
Alberta:
Alberta netbacks were indicated in the $68-$182/mt FOB range, an increase from the week-ago $68-$165/mt FOB.
West Coast:
Solid sulfur indications followed Vancouver higher, to $245-$252/mt FOB, up from the previous West Coast range of $230-$235/mt FOB. West Coast molten contracts were reported in the $160-$170/lt FOB range for fourth-quarter loading.
China:
Firming continued in the China spot import market for the week, players said. Updated values were reported in the $300-$305/mt CFR range, increasing from the week-ago $290-$295/mt CFR.
ADNOC:
ADNOC offers for December were heard at $265/mt FOB Ruwais, up $35/mt from $230/mt FOB in November.
Qatar:
Muntajat prills for December were called $265/mt FOB Ras Laffan. November values were reported at $226/mt FOB, a $39/mt FOB difference.
Kuwait:
December prills were posted at $267/mt FOB from Kuwait, sources said, an increase of $41/mt compared with November’s $226/mt FOB offer.