Cold Lake Blend
--
--
- Class
- Heavy/Sour
- API
- 18°
- Sulfur
- 4.2%
Crude grade comparison
Cold Lake Blend vs Bow River
VS
Cold Lake Blend – Bow River spread
-- · Cold Lake Blend premium
Bow River
--
--
- Class
- Heavy/Sour
- API
- 26°
- Sulfur
- 2.4%
Cold Lake Blend is heavy/sour crude (18° API, 4.2% sulfur); Bow River is heavy/sour crude (26° API, 2.4% sulfur).
Crude quality
Quality & refinery yields
How the two crudes differ in the barrel. Each property uses its own scale.
- Cold Lake Blend Crude
- Bow River Crude
Physical & chemical properties
API gravityhigher = lighter
CLB18°
BR26°
Sulfur contenthigher = sourer
CLB4.2%
BR2.4%
Densityhigher = heavier
CLB0.95 g/cm³
BR g/cm³
Viscosityhigher = thicker
CLB220 cSt
BR cSt
Pour pointhigher = waxier
CLB-22 °C
BR °C
Typical refinery yields
Gasoline% of barrel
CLB18-22%
Diesel% of barrel
CLB26-30%
Jet fuel% of barrel
CLB04-06'%
Residual fuel% of barrel
CLB35-40%
Bars show each yield range; the faint part runs from 0 to the low end. Scale 0–50%.
Full specification comparison
| Property | Cold Lake Blend Crude | Bow River Crude | Cold Lake Blend − Bow River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | |||
| Classification | Heavy/Sour | Heavy/Sour | |
| Origin | Canada (Alberta) | Bow River area, Alberta/Saskatchewan | |
| Chemical properties | |||
| API gravity | 18° API | 26° API | -8 °API |
| Sulfur content | 4.2% | 2.4% | +1.8% |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ | g/cm³ | +0.95 g/cm³ |
| Pour point | -22 °C | °C | -22 °C |
| Viscosity | 220 cSt | cSt | +220 cSt |
| Typical refinery yields | |||
| Gasoline | 18-22% | % | +22 pts |
| Diesel | 26-30% | % | +30 pts |
| Jet fuel | 04-06'% | % | +6 pts |
| Residual fuel | 35-40% | % | +40 pts |
| Trading & logistics | |||
| Delivery basis | Hardisty Network | Pipeline | |
| Major exchanges | Hardisty differentials | ||
| Export hub | Edmonton, Hardisty | ||
| Main destinations | US Midwest cokers, upgraders | US Midwest | |
| Benchmark type | Regional (N. America) | ||
| Market profile | |||
| Key characteristics | SAGD in-situ bitumen blend, requires upgrading | Heavy sour Western Canadian crude | |
| Refining notes | Thermal recovery bitumen; needs coking/upgrading | Heavy sour refinery feedstock | |
FAQ
Cold Lake Blend vs Bow River questions
The spread, the quality gap and why each grade is a benchmark.
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Cold Lake Blend Crude was $ and Bow River Crude $ per barrel, so Bow River traded at a premium of $0 over Cold Lake Blend. Over the previous 30 shared price days the spread averaged -- $/bbl, with Bow River priced above Cold Lake Blend on 0 day(s).
Cold Lake Blend Crude is a heavy/sour Canada (Alberta) crude (18° API, 4.2% sulfur) and Regional (N. America) benchmark. Bow River Crude is a heavy/sour Bow River area, Alberta/Saskatchewan crude (26° API, 2.4% sulfur) and benchmark.
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