Crude Oil
Multiple Grades · 1,000,000 BBL Minimum · FOB · CIF · CFR
Atabaş Group facilitates structured crude oil transactions for refinery-level buyers, national oil companies and institutional traders. Supply is coordinated through verified production sources and authorized export terminals — with independent third-party inspection and complete documentation for every cargo.
Quick Reference
- ProductCrude Oil — Multiple Grades
- API Gravity20° – 45° (ASTM D287)
- Sulfur Content0.1% – 4.0% (ASTM D4294)
- Viscosity at 50°C5 – 50 mm²/s (ASTM D445)
- Water ContentMax 1% (ASTM D4006)
- Pour Point−30°C to +30°C (ASTM D97)
- Ash ContentMax 0.1% (ASTM D482)
- Min Volume1,000,000 Barrels
- Vessel TypesVLCC · Suezmax · Aframax
- InspectionSGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek
A strategic energy commodity, not a single product
Crude oil spans hundreds of distinct grades — each with its own density, sulfur profile, yield curve and benchmark pricing differential. Grade selection is fundamental to refinery procurement economics.
Crude oil is the unrefined petroleum feedstock from which all refined products — gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, lubricants, bitumen — are derived through distillation and conversion at refineries. Its commercial value is primarily determined by two parameters: API gravity (density) and sulfur content. Lighter, sweeter crudes command price premiums because they yield more high-value products at lower processing cost. Heavier, sourer grades require more complex refinery configurations but serve essential roles as industrial and conversion feedstocks.
Atabaş Group sources crude from verified, licensed production entities and authorized export terminals. All supply chains are subject to KYC, KYB and sanctions screening before transaction progression. Every cargo is structured under a formal Sale and Purchase Agreement with independent inspection at the load port.
| Density Class | API Range | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Light | Above 45° | Condensate-range. Exceptional naphtha yield. |
| Light | 35° – 45° | Premium gasoline & distillate yield. Highest value class. |
| Medium | 22° – 35° | Balanced yield profile. Most widely traded globally. |
| Heavy | Below 22° | Dense, viscous. Requires conversion units. Discounted. |
| Sulfur Class | Sulfur % | Refinery Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Below 0.5% | Low desulfurization cost. Premium over sour grades. |
| Medium Sour | 0.5% – 1.5% | Standard hydrotreating. Moderate discount to sweet. |
| Sour | Above 1.5% | High desulfurization cost. Specialized refinery units required. |
Contractual specification range by parameter
All crude oil cargoes are subject to contractual confirmation and independent inspection prior to transfer of title. Final specifications depend on grade and commercial agreement.
| Parameter | Specification Range | Test Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| API Gravity | 20° – 45° | ASTM D287 | Grade-dependent. Higher API = lighter crude. |
| Sulfur Content | 0.1% – 4.0% m/m | ASTM D4294 | Below 0.5% = sweet; above 1.5% = sour. |
| Viscosity at 50°C | 5 – 50 mm²/s | ASTM D445 | Affects pumpability and vessel loading rate. |
| Water Content | Max 1.0% vol. | ASTM D4006 | Dehydration required above threshold. |
| Pour Point | −30°C to +30°C | ASTM D97 | Critical for cold-climate transport planning. |
| Ash Content | Max 0.1% m/m | ASTM D482 | Indicator of inorganic mineral content. |
| BS&W | Max 0.5% vol. | ASTM D4007 | Basic Sediment & Water — measured at load port. |
| Salt Content | Max 100 PTB | ASTM D3230 | Pounds per thousand barrels. Refinery limit. |
Key grades by origin, API and sulfur
Reference summary of internationally traded crude grades within Atabaş Group supply programs. Specifications are typical assay values and may vary by cargo and lifting date.
| Grade | Origin | API° | Sulfur % | Classification | Pricing Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Blend | North Sea (UK / Norway) | 38.3° | 0.37% | Light Sweet | ICE Dated Brent — global reference for 70%+ of seaborne trades |
| WTI | Permian Basin, USA | 39.6° | 0.24% | Light Sweet | NYMEX — primary US benchmark, Cushing OK delivery |
| Bonny Light | Niger Delta, Nigeria | 35.4° | 0.14% | Light Sweet | Dated Brent differential. OPEC basket component. |
| Saharan Blend | Algeria | 46.0° | 0.09% | Extra Light Sweet | Dated Brent differential. OPEC basket component. |
| Es Sider | Libya | 37.0° | 0.45% | Light Sweet | Dated Brent differential. Libya's largest export stream. |
| Azeri Light (BTC) | Azerbaijan | 35.0° | 0.14% | Light Sweet | Dated Brent differential. Ceyhan (Turkey) terminal. |
| CPC Blend | Kazakhstan (Caspian) | 44–45° | 0.50% | Light Sweet | Dated Brent differential. Novorossiysk CPC terminal. |
| Murban | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 39.5° | 0.78% | Light Sweet | ADNOC OSP / ICE Murban futures. Jebel Dhanna terminal. |
| Urals Blend | Russia (Volga-Urals / W. Siberia) | 31–32° | 1.2–1.4% | Medium Sour | Dated Brent differential. Primorsk · Novorossiysk · Ust-Luga. |
| Arab Light | Saudi Arabia | 32.8° | 1.77% | Medium Sour | Saudi Aramco OSP. Ras Tanura / Juaymah terminal. |
| Dubai / Oman | UAE / Oman | 30–31° | 2.0% | Medium Sour | DME Oman futures. ME-to-Asia pricing benchmark. |
| Basrah Light | Basra, Iraq | 29.7° | 2.85% | Medium-Heavy Sour | SOMO OSP differential to Dubai/Oman. VLCC terminal. |
Technical detail for key traded grades
Detailed assay profiles for the most actively traded grades. Values represent typical assay data and may vary by cargo and lifting date.
Brent Blend — Global Benchmark
The world's primary crude benchmark, pricing more than 70% of global seaborne crude trades. Produced from the Brent, Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk and Troll (BFOET) field complex in the North Sea. Its balanced light-sweet profile yields high volumes of gasoline and middle distillates — ideal for European and Mediterranean refinery configurations.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| API Gravity | 38.3° |
| Sulfur Content | 0.37% m/m |
| Density at 15°C | 833 kg/m³ |
| Viscosity at 20°C | ~5 cSt |
| Pour Point | −3°C |
| TAN | 0.05 mg KOH/g |
| Trade Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pricing Basis | ICE Dated Brent |
| Load Terminal | Sullom Voe, Shetland |
| Cargo Size | 600,000 – 1,000,000 BBL |
| Vessel Type | Aframax / Suezmax |
| Primary Markets | Europe · Mediterranean · Americas |
Urals Blend — Russia's Primary Export Grade
Russia's primary export crude blend, produced by mixing light sweet Volga-Urals crude with heavier West Siberian crude through the Transneft pipeline. Exported from Primorsk (Baltic), Novorossiysk (Black Sea) and Ust-Luga. Historically dominant in Mediterranean refinery supply chains, Urals flows have been substantially redirected to Indian and Chinese refineries following 2022 international sanctions.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| API Gravity | 31 – 32° |
| Sulfur Content | 1.2 – 1.4% m/m |
| Density at 15°C | ~868 kg/m³ |
| Viscosity at 20°C | ~17 cSt |
| Pour Point | −24°C |
| Wax Content | ~3.5% |
| Trade Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pricing Basis | Dated Brent differential |
| Load Terminals | Primorsk · Novorossiysk · Ust-Luga |
| Cargo Size | 700,000 – 1,000,000 BBL |
| Vessel Type | Suezmax · VLCC |
| Primary Markets | India · China · Turkey · Mediterranean |
Bonny Light — West Africa's Premium Grade
Nigeria's flagship export crude and one of the world's most highly valued grades due to its exceptionally low sulfur content and strong API gravity. A component of the OPEC Reference Basket. Its high yield of gasoline, naphtha and kerosene makes it attractive for European and Asian refineries seeking premium light sweet feedstock. Lifted from Bonny Island export terminal (NNPC/Shell JV).
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| API Gravity | 35.4° |
| Sulfur Content | 0.14% m/m |
| Density at 15°C | ~848 kg/m³ |
| Wax Content | ~5% |
| Pour Point | −3°C |
| TAN | 0.03 mg KOH/g |
| Trade Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pricing Basis | Dated Brent differential |
| Load Terminal | Bonny Island, Rivers State |
| Cargo Size | 950,000 – 1,000,000 BBL |
| Vessel Type | Suezmax · VLCC |
| Primary Markets | Europe · India · China · SE Asia |
CPC Blend — Extra Light Caspian Crude
Produced from Kazakhstan's Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak fields and exported via the CPC pipeline to Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. With API gravity of 44–45°, CPC Blend is one of the lightest sweet crudes in international trade — delivering exceptional naphtha, gasoline and distillate yields. A key feedstock for Mediterranean and Turkish refineries with direct Black Sea access.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| API Gravity | 44 – 45° |
| Sulfur Content | 0.50% m/m |
| Density at 15°C | ~800 kg/m³ |
| Pour Point | −18°C |
| Mercaptans | Low |
| Trade Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pricing Basis | Dated Brent differential |
| Load Terminal | Novorossiysk (Black Sea CPC) |
| Cargo Size | 700,000 – 1,000,000 BBL |
| Vessel Type | Suezmax |
| Primary Markets | Mediterranean · Turkey · NW Europe |
Downstream uses across five industry sectors
Crude oil is the primary feedstock for all major energy and petrochemical production industries. Refinery grade selection is driven by downstream product yield requirements.
Primary refinery feedstock for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, fuel oil and LPG. Yield profile is grade-dependent — light sweet crudes maximize transport fuel output.
Naphtha and LPG fractions from crude distillation feed steam crackers producing ethylene, propylene and BTX aromatics — the foundation of the global chemicals industry.
Residual fuel oil and heavy crude fractions are used in power generation in markets where natural gas is limited or during peak demand periods.
Vacuum distillation fractions from suitable crude grades are processed into base oils for automotive, industrial and marine lubricant production.
Vacuum residue from heavy crude distillation is processed into bitumen and asphalt for road construction, waterproofing and industrial applications.
Crude fractions are the origin of solvents, waxes, sulfur, hydrogen and other specialty chemicals produced as co-products of the refining process.
Structured supply for institutional buyers
All crude oil transactions are executed through regulated banking instruments and documented contractual frameworks, with independent inspection at every load port.
| Trade Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Min Trade Volume | 1,000,000 Barrels |
| Packaging | Bulk — tanker vessel or storage tank transfer |
| Vessel Types | VLCC · Suezmax · Aframax |
| Delivery Terms | FOB · CIF · CFR (Incoterms 2020) |
| Storage | Port terminals or authorized tank farms |
| Transaction Model | Refinery-to-refinery under SPA |
| Inspection | SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek at load port |
| Documentation | B/L · COQ · COO · Certificate of Weight |
| Sales Model | Structure |
|---|---|
| Spot Transaction | Single cargo, prompt delivery, market pricing |
| Term Contract | Scheduled liftings over 3–12 months under agreed pricing formula |
| Structured Bulk | Multi-cargo program with volume commitments and fixed delivery schedule |
| Refinery-Aligned | Grade-specific supply coordinated with refinery run rates and yield targets |
Active markets across five continents
Atabaş Group crude oil trading operations span major energy import and export markets worldwide. All market engagements are subject to compliance review and counterparty verification.
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Belgium
- Spain
- Italy
- Greece
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- China
- South Korea
- Japan
- Singapore
- India
- Egypt
- South Africa
- Kenya
- Morocco
- United States
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Colombia
Compliance-driven trade execution
Crude oil transactions carry the highest counterparty and compliance risk of any traded commodity. Atabaş Group's institutional-grade frameworks are built to protect all parties at every stage.
Every crude cargo is executed under a formal Sale and Purchase Agreement. No informal or verbal commitments are accepted. Full contract documentation is a precondition of supply.
All supply sources are subject to prior due diligence. We do not engage with unverified intermediaries. Source documentation and authorization letters are required before any supply program is initiated.
All counterparties are screened against OFAC, EU, UN and FATF watchlists. We do not engage with sanctioned entities, restricted financial institutions or high-risk non-compliant counterparties under any circumstances.
SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek inspection is conducted at the load port before title transfer. Quality and quantity certificates are issued to buyer specifications with every cargo.
Bills of lading, certificates of quality and origin, survey reports and all supporting shipping documents are issued with full traceability and available for regulatory review.
Vessel nomination, port scheduling, tank farm coordination and shipping document management across VLCC, Suezmax and Aframax vessel classes. Mersin, Fujairah and Hamriyah terminals actively supported.
Common questions about crude oil supply
Answers to the questions most commonly raised by refinery buyers and institutional counterparties approaching Atabaş Group for crude oil supply.
What is the minimum transaction volume for crude oil?
The minimum transaction volume for crude oil supply through Atabaş Group is 1,000,000 barrels per cargo. This reflects the standard minimum for VLCC and Suezmax vessel operations and is aligned with the minimum viable economics for refinery-to-refinery supply programs. Smaller volumes are not accommodated through our current crude trade structure.
What crude oil grades does Atabaş Group supply?
Atabaş Group can facilitate supply across a range of internationally traded grades including Brent, Urals, Bonny Light, CPC Blend, Azeri Light, Murban, Arab Light, Es Sider and others. Specific grade availability depends on verified supply access at the time of inquiry. All grades are sourced from authorized, licensed production entities and export terminals — not from informal intermediary chains.
What delivery terms are available?
Atabaş Group offers FOB (Free on Board at agreed loading port), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight to destination port) and CFR (Cost and Freight with buyer-arranged insurance) under Incoterms 2020. Delivery structure is defined within the commercial agreement. Vessel nomination, port scheduling and inspection coordination are managed in accordance with the agreed Incoterm.
How is crude oil quality verified?
Independent third-party inspection is conducted at the load port by SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek before title transfer. The inspector certifies quantity and quality against contractual specifications. Certificates of Quality (COQ), Certificates of Origin (COO) and weight certificates are issued with every cargo and are available for buyer review. No cargo is released without satisfactory inspection clearance.
What compliance procedures apply to crude oil transactions?
All crude oil transactions are subject to full KYC and KYB verification of both buyer and supply-side counterparties. Sanctions screening is conducted against OFAC, EU, UN and FATF watchlists before any engagement. Atabaş Group does not transact with sanctioned countries, listed entities, restricted financial institutions or counterparties with insufficient beneficial ownership documentation. Compliance clearance is a precondition of all supply programs.
Enquire about crude oil supply
1,000,000 BBL minimum · Multiple grades · FOB · CIF · CFR · SGS inspection
"Credibility, in international trade, is the only asset that compounds."