Bakken · United States · light sweet
Bakken
Bakken is a named crude stream from United States. Refiners, traders and analysts follow it because the name stands for a repeatable commercial reference in the Americas market.
Commercial users evaluate the grade through density, sulfur, residue behaviour, metals, acidity and logistics. The stream is generally described as light sweet. Typical market markers are around 43.8 API and 0.09% sulfur.
Production and export geography is centred on Williston Basin pipeline and rail-linked system. Price formation depends on the benchmark context shown in the snapshot. That linkage matters for term business, substitution value, arbitrage windows and freight-adjusted netbacks.
Operationally, professionals watch cargo size, heating and blending needs, terminal constraints, draft limits and discharge flexibility. Because some crude names refer to fields, blends or export systems, the market treats a grade as a commercial family with a terminal norm rather than as an immutable laboratory constant.
This page is written as a commercial market profile. Indicative assay values can vary by field mix, cargo, season, terminal, contract specification and updating of the export stream.
United States · WTI / Cushing benchmark
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United States · USGC sour waterborne pricing
Canada · WCS heavy discount structure
This grade is read through its density, sulfur range, residue behaviour and benchmark linkage. Those variables shape refinery intake planning, hydrotreating load and the relative value of the stream against nearby alternatives.
43.8 API · 0.09 S · light sweet
Refinery interest depends on sulfur load, hydrogen balance, residue handling, diesel yield and marine fuel strategy. Buyers rarely read a grade in isolation; they read it inside a wider crude basket and against freight-adjusted alternatives.
Commercial performance depends not only on assay values but also on export system, parcel size, blending tolerance, terminal routines, heating or viscosity requirements and discharge flexibility at destination.
Williston Basin pipeline and rail-linked system
Pricing is interpreted through Brent-, WTI- or Dubai/Oman-linked differentials, freight and regional balances. Substitution economics versus similar grades can move faster than the headline benchmark itself.
WTI-linked inland pricing
Bakken is usually read in the market as a light sweet grade from United States. Commercially, buyers compare its density, sulfur position and benchmark linkage against nearby substitutes, because replacement economics can move faster than headline flat price.
With indicative markers around 43.8 API and 0.09% sulfur, the stream is relevant for refinery cut planning, hydrotreating load, residue handling, diesel yield and freight-adjusted netbacks. Procurement teams also look at terminal discipline, parcel formation, inspection routines and destination flexibility.
WTI-linked inland pricing. Williston Basin pipeline and rail-linked system
Bakken · United States · light sweet WTI-linked inland pricing
Linked benchmark / reference: WTI-linked inland pricing.
Indicative position: light-sweet (≈ 43.8 API, 0.09% sulfur).
Confirm contract spec, inspection method, loading terminal routines, document pack, sanctions/compliance screening and freight/discharge constraints.
Use the substitution set below and compare delivered economics (differential + freight), not only headline benchmark moves.
