Distillation, the process by which oil is heated and separated in different components, is the the first stage in refining.
Our dedicated office is specialized in providing prompt fulfillment of crude oil orders. Unlike large stream providers, our global connectivity, combined with our strategically honed business partnerships within the regions we serve, enables us to rapidly and cost-effectively service our customers, sourcing crude oil directly from producers in the field as well as Major Oil Companies. Through main Producer/Seller we offer our customers flexibility in size of cargo, location of delivery and timing, to suit whatever particular need they may have.
The different types of crude oil are classified based on the American Petroleum Gravity (API) gravity and viscosity. The properties may vary in terms of proportion of hydrocarbon elements, sulfur content etc as it is extracted from different geographical locations all over the world.
1. Light crude oil is defined as having an API gravity higher than 31.1 °API
2. Medium oil is defined as having an API gravity between 22.3 °API and 31.1 °API
3. Heavy oil is defined as having an API gravity below 22.3 °API.
Classifications are made based on the sulfur content as well. Crude oil with low content of sulfur means ‘sweet’ and the presence of high content sulfur is known as ‘sour’.
One of the largest and major Classifications of Crude oil is Brent Blend, which is found in the North Sea. With an API gravity of 38.3 degrees and 0.37% of sulfur, this blend of crude oil comes from 15 various oil fields in the North Sea.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) otherwise known as Texas Light Sweet, OPEC Reference Basket (ORB) and Dubai Crude are other major benchmarks or references. The deposits for West Texas Intermediate are found in Texas and Mexico whereas for OPEC Reference Basket oil is sourced from Bonny light (Nigeria), Arab light (Saudi Arabia), Basra light (Iraq), Saharan blend (Algeria) and Minas (Indonesia). Although, Brent blend is graded as a light crude oil, it is not as light as WTI.
Russian Export Blend: The Russian benchmark crude, is a mixture of several crude grades used domestically or sent for export. Russian Export Blend is a medium, sour crude oil with an API gravity of approximately 32 and a sulfur content of approximately 1.2%. Its spot price is reported at Augusta, Italy, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which act as the two primary delivery points.
