The Shift Toward 60–90 Day Forward Sales in the Petroleum and Crude Oil Market
The petroleum and crude oil market has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Refiners and fuel distributors have revised their purchasing strategies in response to changing buyer behavior, market volatility, and the need for supply continuity. One of the most notable developments is the increasing preference for forward purchases with 60 to 90 days maturity, particularly in refinery-level crude oil transactions.
This shift reflects a broader move toward structured, sustainable, and predictable supply models rather than opportunistic spot trading.
Forward Purchases: A New Standard in Crude Oil Trade
In Türkiye and many parts of the world, crude oil sales are commonly executed with 60 or 90 days maturity. While European markets still rely heavily on cash-based transactions, refinery-to-refinery and supplier-based crude oil sales increasingly follow forward purchase structures.
Refineries now prioritize supplier companies that can support:
- Continuous supply
- Financial discipline
- Structured maturity terms
- Operational reliability
This approach allows refineries to plan production more effectively and stabilize procurement costs.
Country-Based Crude Oil Classifications and Quality Differences
Crude oil pricing and commercial structures vary based on origin, primarily due to differences in quality parameters such as API gravity, sulfur content, and refining yield.
Overview of Crude Oil Types by Origin
| Origin | Typical API Gravity | Sulfur Content | General Characteristics | Commercial Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East | Medium to Heavy | Medium to High | Stable supply, refinery-friendly blends | Long-term refinery contracts |
| West Africa | Light | Low | High yield, low sulfur | Premium pricing |
| Eurasian Region | Medium | Medium | Balanced refining output | Volume-oriented trade |
| Mediterranean | Light to Medium | Low to Medium | Proximity advantage | Regional refinery supply |
| Atlantic Basin | Light | Low | Flexible blending options | Spot & forward mix |
These quality differences naturally lead to varying price structures and purchasing strategies across regions.
EN590 10 PPM and ULSD: Planning Over Spot Purchases
EN590 10 PPM diesel sales typically operate on 30-day maturity terms. However, refineries purchasing ULSD 10 PPM increasingly avoid spot volumes. Instead, they adopt monthly planning and continuous procurement models to ensure stable supply.
This evolution means that suppliers can no longer rely on finding buyers after securing product. Supply must be aligned with refinery demand from the outset, supported by production schedules and forward agreements.
Risks Created by Unstructured Brokerage Models
In Türkiye, traditional trade practices often rely on brokerage firms. Many brokers attempt to place products without having a confirmed end buyer. When sales fail to materialize, this practice creates serious operational risks, including:
- Vessel demurrage costs
- Tank storage payment disputes
- Commercial exposure for sellers
In many cases, sellers unintentionally contribute to these risks by sharing sensitive product documents with unverified intermediaries.
The Importance of Working with Proven and Registered Companies
A fundamental rule of trade is mutual trust. When a company takes responsibility for a high-value transaction, it must ensure that all counterparties are reliable, capable, and verified.
Delivering the same product to multiple parties without clear sales authority almost always disrupts the transaction. Exclusive, controlled sales structures protect both sellers and buyers.
Türkiye hosts a number of proven, reputable trading companies with the capacity to manage refinery-level transactions professionally. Working with such companies significantly reduces commercial and operational risk.
ATABAŞ GRUP’s Role in Forward Crude Oil and Petroleum Trade
ATABAŞ GRUP operates in alignment with modern refinery purchasing models, focusing on 60–90 day maturity crude oil sales and structured fuel supply programs. The company does not rely on speculative spot trading and prioritizes sustainable, forward-based trade relationships.
Registered and Active Refinery Relationships
| Refinery / Energy Company | Region | Product Scope | Trade Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| DANGOTE Refinery | Africa | Crude Oil, Refined Products | Forward supply |
| TÜPRAŞ | Türkiye | Crude Oil, EN590, ULSD | Term & program-based |
| LITASCO | Europe | Crude Oil | Structured supply |
| SARAS | Mediterranean | Crude Oil | Refinery delivery |
| ENOC | Middle East | Refined Products | Program-based |
| ADNOC | Middle East | Crude Oil & Products | Long-term supply |
| ROSNEFT | Eurasia | Crude Oil | Forward trade |
| GAZPROM Petroleum | Eurasia | Crude Oil & Products | Contract-based |
These relationships enable ATABAŞ GRUP to operate within refinery systems that require financial strength, documentation discipline, and delivery reliability.
Export Capacity and Trade Performance
| Trade Area | Product Type | Typical Maturity | Export Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil | Multiple origins | 60–90 days | High volume |
| EN590 10 PPM | Diesel | 30 days | Continuous supply |
| ULSD 10 PPM | Diesel | Program-based | Refinery aligned |
| Petroleum Products | Various | Term contracts | Stable |
ATABAŞ GRUP’s export capability is built on structured agreements, not opportunistic sales.
Conclusion
The petroleum and crude oil market has clearly moved toward forward purchases, maturity-based sales, and sustainable supply structures. Spot trading alone no longer meets refinery requirements.
Success in this environment depends on trust, financial discipline, and working exclusively with competent, reputable companies. ATABAŞ GRUP’s alignment with refinery purchasing systems, registered relationships, and forward-trade expertise positions the company as a reliable partner in modern crude oil and petroleum markets.
