ESPO Blend
--
--
- Class
- Light/Sour
- API
- 34°
- Sulfur
- 0.54%
Crude grade comparison
ESPO Blend vs North Caspian
VS
ESPO Blend – North Caspian spread
-- · ESPO Blend premium
North Caspian
--
--
- Class
- Light/Sour
- API
- 40°
- Sulfur
- 0.85%
ESPO Blend is light/sour crude (34° API, 0.54% sulfur); North Caspian is light/sour crude (40° API, 0.85% sulfur).
Crude quality
Quality & refinery yields
How the two crudes differ in the barrel. Each property uses its own scale.
- ESPO Blend Crude
- North Caspian Crude
Physical & chemical properties
API gravityhigher = lighter
EB34°
NC40°
Sulfur contenthigher = sourer
EB0.54%
NC0.85%
Densityhigher = heavier
EB0.854 g/cm³
NC0.82 g/cm³
Viscosityhigher = thicker
EB5.2 cSt
NC4 cSt
Pour pointhigher = waxier
EB-20 °C
NC-10 °C
Typical refinery yields
Gasoline% of barrel
EB45-48%
NC48-52%
Diesel% of barrel
EB30-34%
NC26-30%
Jet fuel% of barrel
EB01-12'%
NC10-12'%
Residual fuel% of barrel
EB06-08'%
NC08-12'%
Bars show each yield range; the faint part runs from 0 to the low end. Scale 0–50%.
Full specification comparison
| Property | ESPO Blend Crude | North Caspian Crude | ESPO Blend − North Caspian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | |||
| Classification | Light/Sour | Light/Sour | |
| Origin | Russia (Far East, Siberia) | Kazakhstan (North Caspian Mangystau) | |
| Chemical properties | |||
| API gravity | 34° API | 40° API | -6 °API |
| Sulfur content | 0.54% | 0.85% | -0.31% |
| Density | 0.854 g/cm³ | 0.82 g/cm³ | +0.034 g/cm³ |
| Pour point | -20 °C | -10 °C | -10 °C |
| Viscosity | 5.2 cSt | 4 cSt | +1.2 cSt |
| Typical refinery yields | |||
| Gasoline | 45-48% | 48-52% | -4 pts |
| Diesel | 30-34% | 26-30% | +4 pts |
| Jet fuel | 01-12'% | 10-12'% | 0 pts |
| Residual fuel | 06-08'% | 08-12'% | -4 pts |
| Trading & logistics | |||
| Delivery basis | Kozmino, De-Kastri | Atyrau, CPC Pipeline | |
| Major exchanges | Platts (FOB Kozmino); ICE | Argus, local differentials | |
| Export hub | Kozmino (ESPO terminus) | Atyrau Region | |
| Main destinations | China, Japan, South Korea, Asia | Europe, Russia, local | |
| Benchmark type | Regional (Asia) | Regional (Caspian) | |
| Market profile | |||
| Key characteristics | Russia's Pacific export pipeline blend, Asian demand | Light sour Caspian blend, local/CPC distribution | |
| Refining notes | Desired by Asia refiners; good diesel yield, low-sulfur fuel oil | Blended for domestic & export | |
FAQ
ESPO Blend vs North Caspian questions
The spread, the quality gap and why each grade is a benchmark.
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ESPO Blend Crude was $ and North Caspian Crude $ per barrel, so North Caspian traded at a premium of $0 over ESPO Blend. Over the previous 30 shared price days the spread averaged -- $/bbl, with North Caspian priced above ESPO Blend on 0 day(s).
ESPO Blend Crude is a light/sour Russia (Far East, Siberia) crude (34° API, 0.54% sulfur) and Regional (Asia) benchmark. North Caspian Crude is a light/sour Kazakhstan (North Caspian Mangystau) crude (40° API, 0.85% sulfur) and Regional (Caspian) benchmark.