Crude (General)

Crude Oil is a Primary (Unrefined) liquid that is comprised of hydrocarbons, organic compounds and in
some cases metals. Typically the general composition varies greatly around the globe and is greatly
affected by the initial deposition environment and processes involved during diagenesis and
catagenesis.

Crude oil is mostly a liquid however some crude oils are significantly heavy and contain organic
compounds that do not allow them to flow easily. Globally there are significant variations in crude oil
which offer different reasons for its value to a client.

• Weight
• Viscosity
• Colour

When Crude oil contains H2S it is named “Sour Crude” and if it does not contain H2S it is known as
“Sweet Crude”.

Through the process of diagenesis and catagenesis crude oil is formed from prehistoric algae and
zooplankton. Diagenesis is the process where over time organic material is combined with mud and
heated to high temperatures from the pressure created by heavy layers of sediment.

There are actually over 160 different oils traded on the market. This section discusses in detail the many
types of crude available including West Texas, Bonnie Light, Maya Crude. Below is some basic
information in regards to Brent Crude and OPEC basket which are Crude Blends.

Brent Crude is a major trading classification of sweet light crude oil that serves as a benchmark price for
purchases of oil worldwide. It is used to price two thirds of the world's internationally traded crude oil
supplies. Brent Blend is actually a combination of different oils from 15 fields throughout the Scottish
Brent and Ninian systems located in the North Sea. Its “API Gravity” is 38.3 degrees, which makes it a
“light” crude oil, but not as “light” as WTI. It contains about 0.37 percent sulfur, which makes it a
“sweet” crude oil. The Brent Crude oil marker is also known as Brent Blend, London Brent and Brent
petroleum.
The OPEC Reference Basket (ORB), also referred to as the OPEC Basket, is a weighted average of prices
for petroleum blends produced by OPEC members. The OPEC Basket, includes a mix of light and heavy
crude oil products, and as such is heavier than Brent crude oil and West Texas Intermediate crude oil.
OPEC Basket oil is a collective seven different crude oils from Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Nigeria,
Dubai', Venezuela and the Mexican Isthmus.

SPECIFICATION

Please reach out to Trueblue Trading and fill in an RFQ containing your required product specification
and the appropriate standard and we will get back to you with availability.

Trueblue Trading
Houston, Rotterdam, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur
info@trueblue-trading.com