World Crude Oil Qualities

Select the links on the left for basic quality information for the world's most frequently traded crude oils.

In practice, different refineries or refining policies lead to wide variations in the quantity and quality of products derived from each crude.

For ease of comparison, the information relates to three main product groups;

1. light products (that is naphtha from C5 to boiling point 150C (300F)
2. middle distillates (that is kerosene and gas oil, boiling at 150-350C (300-660F) and
3. fuel oil (boiling from 350C (660F) upwards.

These groups are used for the topping yield assessments, and resulting product yields relate directly to them.

The products described in the tables do not always correspond to a saleable quality. For example, fuel oil may need to be blended with gas oil to obtain a satisfactory viscosity.

Cold properties have been expressed in general terms - high, medium or low temperatutes - in view of the crucial importance of blending plociy in middle distillate production.