Basrah Medium
--
--
- Class
- Sour
- API
- 27°
- Sulfur
- 2.5%
Crude grade comparison
Basrah Medium vs Zakum
VS
Basrah Medium – Zakum spread
-- · Basrah Medium premium
Zakum
--
--
- Class
- Sour
- API
- 33°
- Sulfur
- 1.9%
Basrah Medium is sour crude (27° API, 2.5% sulfur); Zakum is sour crude (33° API, 1.9% sulfur).
Crude quality
Quality & refinery yields
How the two crudes differ in the barrel. Each property uses its own scale.
- Basrah Medium Crude
- Zakum Crude
Physical & chemical properties
API gravityhigher = lighter
BM27°
Z33°
Sulfur contenthigher = sourer
BM2.5%
Z1.9%
Densityhigher = heavier
BM g/cm³
Z g/cm³
Viscosityhigher = thicker
BM cSt
Z cSt
Pour pointhigher = waxier
BM °C
Z °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
| Property | Basrah Medium Crude | Zakum Crude | Basrah Medium − Zakum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | |||
| Classification | Sour | Sour | |
| Origin | Southern Iraq fields | Upper Zakum field, offshore Abu Dhabi | |
| Chemical properties | |||
| API gravity | 27° API | 33° API | -6 °API |
| Sulfur content | 2.5% | 1.9% | +0.6% |
| Density | g/cm³ | g/cm³ | 0 g/cm³ |
| Pour point | °C | °C | 0 °C |
| Viscosity | cSt | cSt | 0 cSt |
| Typical refinery yields | |||
| Gasoline | % | % | 0 pts |
| Diesel | % | % | 0 pts |
| Jet fuel | % | % | 0 pts |
| Residual fuel | % | % | 0 pts |
| Trading & logistics | |||
| Delivery basis | FOB | FOB | |
| Major exchanges | ICE Murban-linked/ADNOC OSP | ||
| Export hub | Basrah Oil Terminal | Das Island/Zirku Island | |
| Main destinations | Asia, Europe | Asia | |
| Benchmark type | ADNOC OSP grade | ||
| Market profile | |||
| Key characteristics | Heavier sour Iraqi grade introduced alongside Basrah Light/Heavy split | Medium sour Abu Dhabi grade from one of the world's largest offshore fields | |
| Refining notes | Fuel oil feedstock | Full-range refining feedstock | |
FAQ
Basrah Medium vs Zakum questions
The spread, the quality gap and why each grade is a benchmark.
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Basrah Medium Crude was $ and Zakum Crude $ per barrel, so Zakum traded at a premium of $0 over Basrah Medium. Over the previous 30 shared price days the spread averaged -- $/bbl, with Zakum 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. Zakum Crude is a sour Upper Zakum field, offshore Abu Dhabi crude (33° API, 1.9% sulfur) and ADNOC OSP grade benchmark.