Global crude intelligence
Sterling QuantumExplore where the world's crude oil comes from — and where it is usually refined
Interactive market intelligence for agents, buyers, and commercial teams. Compare crude grades, review general specifications, understand typical refinery fit, and identify commercial and compliance-sensitive origins.
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Select a crude grade on the map or from the list to view its profile.
All grades51 results
Commercial context
Why crude quality and origin matter in practice
Why crude quality matters
API gravity and sulphur content determine which products a refinery can extract and in what volumes. A light sweet crude produces more gasoline and naphtha. A heavy sour crude produces more fuel oil and requires more processing to yield clean products — making refinery configuration and crude quality inseparable commercial decisions.
How light vs heavy affects yield
Light crude (API 35+) yields more petrol, jet, and naphtha with less upgrading. Heavy crude (API below 25) yields more residual fuel and vacuum gasoil, and needs coking or hydrocracking to improve the product slate. The difference between handling a Maya and a Bonny Light at the same refinery is often measured in millions of dollars per cargo.
Why refinery configuration changes value
A simple hydroskimming refinery may be unable to run high-sulphur or heavy crudes economically at all. A deep-conversion refinery configured for heavy sour barrels may discount lighter grades because they are less economic through its units. Crude value is always relative to the specific refinery, not just the crude itself.
Why origin and documentation matter in real trades
In international crude trade, origin documentation, certificate of quality, and inspection reports are not just administrative steps — they determine whether a cargo can be processed, financed, insured, and sold onward. For origins with sanctions exposure or transit complexity, the documentation chain is a commercial and compliance factor from the first enquiry.
Commercial assistance
Need help sourcing, substituting, or evaluating a crude grade?
- Support for buyers, agents, and commercial teams
- Guidance on equivalent grades and replacement options
- Initial input on refinery fit and trade practicality
- Compliance-aware handling of higher-risk origins
“Crude grade intelligence should translate into commercial decisions, not just reference data. Sterling reviews your situation in the context of what is actually tradeable.”
Need a practical answer, not just a map?
Speak to Sterling about sourcing options, replacement grades, and trade-sensitive origin risks.