Crude grade comparison

Basrah Medium vs Iran Heavy

Southern Iraq fields

Basrah Medium

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Class
Sour
API
27°
Sulfur
2.5%
VS
Basrah Medium – Iran Heavy spread -- · Basrah Medium premium
Blended Iranian export grade (multiple fields)

Iran Heavy

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--
Class
Sour
API
30.5°
Sulfur
1.8%

Basrah Medium is sour crude (27° API, 2.5% sulfur); Iran Heavy is sour crude (30.5° API, 1.8% sulfur).

Crude quality

Quality & refinery yields

How the two crudes differ in the barrel. Each property uses its own scale.

  • Basrah Medium Crude
  • Iran Heavy Crude

Physical & chemical properties

API gravityhigher = lighter
BM27°
IH30.5°
Sulfur contenthigher = sourer
BM2.5%
IH1.8%
Densityhigher = heavier
BM g/cm³
IH g/cm³
Viscosityhigher = thicker
BM cSt
IH cSt
Pour pointhigher = waxier
BM °C
IH °C

Typical refinery yields

Gasoline% of barrel
Diesel% of barrel
Jet fuel% of barrel
Residual fuel% of barrel

Bars show each yield range; the faint part runs from 0 to the low end. Scale 0–50%.

Full specification comparison

Full specification comparison of Basrah Medium Crude and Iran Heavy Crude
PropertyBasrah Medium CrudeIran Heavy CrudeBasrah Medium − Iran Heavy
Classification
ClassificationSourSour
OriginSouthern Iraq fieldsBlended Iranian export grade (multiple fields)
Chemical properties
API gravity27° API30.5° API-3.5 °API
Sulfur content2.5%1.8%+0.7%
Density g/cm³ g/cm³0 g/cm³
Pour point °C °C0 °C
Viscosity cSt cSt0 cSt
Typical refinery yields
Gasoline%%0 pts
Diesel%%0 pts
Jet fuel%%0 pts
Residual fuel%%0 pts
Trading & logistics
Delivery basisFOBFOB
Major exchanges
Export hubBasrah Oil TerminalKharg Island
Main destinationsAsia, EuropeAsia
Benchmark typeKey Iranian export benchmark
Market profile
Key characteristicsHeavier sour Iraqi grade introduced alongside Basrah Light/Heavy splitIran's principal heavier export blend
Refining notesFuel oil feedstockFull-range sour refining feedstock
FAQ

Basrah Medium vs Iran Heavy questions

The spread, the quality gap and why each grade is a benchmark.

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Basrah Medium Crude was $ and Iran Heavy Crude $ per barrel, so Iran Heavy traded at a premium of $0 over Basrah Medium. Over the previous 30 shared price days the spread averaged -- $/bbl, with Iran Heavy priced above Basrah Medium on 0 day(s).

Basrah Medium Crude is a sour Southern Iraq fields crude (27° API, 2.5% sulfur) and benchmark. Iran Heavy Crude is a sour Blended Iranian export grade (multiple fields) crude (30.5° API, 1.8% sulfur) and Key Iranian export benchmark benchmark.