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Iraq could introduce Basrah Super Light oil grade

By John Lee.

Iraqi oil minister Thamir Ghadhban has reportedly said he plans to offer a new Basrah Super Light grade, with up to 38 API gravity, in the next few years.

According to S&P Global Platts, he added that this would depend on the development of the country’s southern fields.

A Basrah Medium grade, with an API gravity of 29-30 and 2 percent sulfur, is dependent on refurbishments to Iraq’s southern export and storage terminals.

Iraq currently ships Basrah Light and Basrah Heavy, which it introduced in mid-2015.

(Source: S&P Global Platts)

Posted on

Iraq to launch new “Basrah Medium” Crude Oil Grade

By John Lee.

Platts reports that Iraq plans to launch a new Basrah Medium crude oil grade “whenever logistics allow,” to provide “more stability” in existing grades.

It quotes Ali Nazar al-Shatari, the Deputy Director General of the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) as saying the new grade will have an API gravity of 29-30 degrees, with 2 percent sulphur.

Basrah Heavy will remain largely the same at 23 degrees API and 4 percent sulphur, while Basrah Light will be become even lighter, rising to 34 API degrees, up from an average of 29-31 degrees currently.

(Source: Platts)