Crude Quality Comparison

This chart compares various crude oil grades based on two key characteristics: API gravity and sulfur content.

• API Gravity (x-axis): This measures the density of the oil. Oils with higher API gravity are lighter and less dense, while oils with lower API gravity are heavier and more dense. Lighter oils generally have higher market value due to their ease of refining.

• Sulfur Content (y-axis): This represents the amount of sulfur in the oil. Oils with lower sulfur content are typically more desirable because they require less processing during refining. High sulfur oils, often referred to as "sour" crude, can be more expensive to refine and may have lower market value.

Each point on the chart represents a different oil blend or product, plotted according to its API gravity and sulfur content. The position of a blend can give you insight into its quality and refining requirements:

• Blends in the upper-left (e.g., Kearl, Cold Lake Blend) tend to be lighter and have lower sulfur content, making them more efficient to refine.

• Blends towards the lower-right (e.g., Gippsland Blend, Kutubu Blend) typically have higher sulfur content and lower API gravity, indicating that they may require more extensive refining.

Use this chart to better understand the characteristics of various oil blends and how they might impact refining and market value.