Western Canadian Select vs Ameriven-Hamaca
Hamaca, Orinoco Belt
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Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan)
Heavy/Sour
Regional (N. America)
Argus (Hardisty WCS); ICE
Western Canadian Select (Canada)
Crude oil price, specifications and price history for Western Canadian Select from Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan).
Price · USD/bbl
$56.20
▼ -0.14(-0.25%)
Updated
API gravity20.5°High
Sulfur3.43%Sour
Density0.96g/cm³
DeliveryHardisty Alberta; Cushing
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Western Canadian Select was priced at $56.20 per barrel on July 06, 2026, down $-0.14 (-0.25%) from $56.34 in the previous session. Western Canadian Select is a High, Sour crude (20.5° API, 3.43% sulfur) delivered at Hardisty, Alberta; Cushing, and traded on Argus (Hardisty WCS); ICE as the main Regional (N. America) benchmark. Over the last 30 days it ranged between $56.20 and $78.95.
Price analysis
Western Canadian Select price analysis
| Period | High | Low | Range % | Range · current $56.20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180 Days | 101.02 | 56.20 | 44.37% | |
| 365 Days | 101.02 | 56.20 | 44.37% |
Bars span $56.20–$101.02, the full 365-day range.
Daily prices
Recent price history
| Date | Price | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 82.05 | 0.00 | 0.00% | |
| 84.02 | +1.97 | +2.4% | |
| 87.58 | +3.56 | +4.24% | |
| 94.53 | +6.95 | +7.94% | |
| 89.59 | -4.94 | -5.23% | |
Full daily history since 2019 is available to subscribers.
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Price history
Western Canadian Select price history chart
Daily assessed price in USD per barrel.
- Last price
- –
- Period change
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- Period high
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- Period low
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Free view: last 30 price assessments. Subscribe for daily history back to 2019 and Excel export.
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| Date | Price (USD/bbl) | Change |
|---|
Crude quality
Technical specifications
Classification, chemical properties and trading details for Western Canadian Select.
Basic classification
- Grade name
- Western Canadian Select
- Classification
- Heavy/Sour
- Region / field
- Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan)
Chemical properties
- API gravity
- 20.5 °API
- Sulfur content
- 3.43%
- Density
- 0.96 g/cm³
- Pour point
- -22 °C
- Viscosity
- 200 cSt
Trading & logistics
- Delivery basis
- Hardisty, Alberta; Cushing
- Major exchanges
- Argus (Hardisty WCS); ICE
- Export hub
- Hardisty, Alberta
- Main destinations
- US Midwest (cokers), Gulf Coast
- Benchmark type
- Regional (N. America)
Typical refinery yields
- Gasoline 15-20%
- Diesel 25-30%
- Jet fuel 05-08'%
- Residual fuel 35-40%
Key characteristics
Bitumen blend, requires upgrading/dilution, heavy processing
Typical use / refining notes
Very high residuum (bitumen); needs upgrading (coking)
FAQ
Western Canadian Select frequently asked questions
Quality, pricing and refining questions about Western Canadian Select.
WCS is distinctive as a blended stream combining raw bitumen from oil sands with synthetic crude oil and condensate diluent to meet pipeline specifications. This syndilbit blend provides consistent quality despite varying input streams, while its heavy characteristics (20.5° API) and high sulfur content (3.5%) require specialized refinery processing. The Hardisty hub blending operation creates supply reliability unavailable from single-field heavy crudes.
Pipeline capacity limitations create periodic price volatility for WCS, with insufficient takeaway capacity causing inventory buildups at Hardisty and wider discounts to WTI. Expansions like Trans Mountain and Line 3 have improved market access, but growing oil sands production continues to test transportation infrastructure. Capacity constraints can create $5-15/bbl additional discounts during peak production periods.
More Western Canadian Select answers for membersThe complete FAQ is available to paid users.
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