Crude grade comparison

Western Canadian Select vs Ameriven-Hamaca

Price, Western Canadian Select spread, quality and refinery yields side by side. Updated July 06, 2026.

Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan)

Western Canadian Select

$56.20USD/BBL

▼ -0.14 (-0.25%)

Class: Heavy/Sour
API: 20.5°
Sulfur: 3.43%

Western Canadian Select – Ameriven-Hamaca spread -- USD/BBL · Western Canadian Select premium

Hamaca, Orinoco Belt

Ameriven-Hamaca

Class: Heavy/Sour
API: 26°
Sulfur: 1.5%

Western Canadian Select Crude vs Ameriven-Hamaca Crude: on July 06, 2026 Western Canadian Select settled at $56.20/bbl (-0.25%) and Ameriven-Hamaca price information is not available. Western Canadian Select is heavy/sour crude (20.5° API, 3.43% sulfur); Ameriven-Hamaca is heavy/sour crude (26° API, 1.5% sulfur).

Crude quality

Quality & refinery yields

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

Western Canadian Select Crude
Ameriven-Hamaca Crude

Physical & chemical properties

API gravityhigher = lighter

WCS20.5°

A26°

Sulfur contenthigher = sourer

WCS3.43%

A1.5%

Densityhigher = heavier

WCS0.96 g/cm³

A g/cm³

Viscosityhigher = thicker

WCS200 cSt

A cSt

Pour pointhigher = waxier

WCS-22 °C

A °C

Typical refinery yields

Gasoline% of barrel

WCS15-20%

Diesel% of barrel

WCS25-30%

Jet fuel% of barrel

WCS05-08'%

Residual fuel% of barrel

WCS35-40%

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 Western Canadian Select Crude and Ameriven-Hamaca Crude
Property	Western Canadian Select Crude	Ameriven-Hamaca Crude	Western Canadian Select − Ameriven-Hamaca
Classification
Classification	Heavy/Sour	Heavy/Sour
Origin	Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan)	Hamaca, Orinoco Belt
Chemical properties
API gravity	20.5° API	26° API	-5.5 °API
Sulfur content	3.43%	1.5%	+1.93%
Density	0.96 g/cm³	g/cm³	+0.96 g/cm³
Pour point	-22 °C	°C	-22 °C
Viscosity	200 cSt	cSt	+200 cSt
Typical refinery yields
Gasoline	15-20%	%	+20 pts
Diesel	25-30%	%	+30 pts
Jet fuel	05-08'%	%	+8 pts
Residual fuel	35-40%	%	+40 pts
Trading & logistics
Delivery basis	Hardisty, Alberta; Cushing
Major exchanges	Argus (Hardisty WCS); ICE
Export hub	Hardisty, Alberta
Main destinations	US Midwest (cokers), Gulf Coast	US Gulf Coast, Asia
Benchmark type	Regional (N. America)
Market profile
Key characteristics	Bitumen blend, requires upgrading/dilution, heavy processing	Upgraded Orinoco extra-heavy crude blended to medium-heavy
Refining notes	Very high residuum (bitumen); needs upgrading (coking)	Coker/heavy refinery feedstock

FAQ

Western Canadian Select vs Ameriven-Hamaca questions

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

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July 06, 2026 Western Canadian Select Crude was $56.20 and Ameriven-Hamaca Crude $ per barrel, so Ameriven-Hamaca traded at a premium of $0 over Western Canadian Select. Over the previous 30 shared price days the spread averaged -- $/bbl, with Ameriven-Hamaca priced above Western Canadian Select on 0 day(s).

Western Canadian Select Crude is a heavy/sour Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan) crude (20.5° API, 3.43% sulfur) and Regional (N. America) benchmark. Ameriven-Hamaca Crude is a heavy/sour Hamaca, Orinoco Belt crude (26° API, 1.5% sulfur) and benchmark.

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