Upper Zakum · United Arab Emirates · medium sour
Upper Zakum
Upper Zakum is a named crude stream from United Arab Emirates. Refiners, traders and analysts follow it because the name stands for a repeatable commercial reference in the Middle East Gulf market.
Commercial users evaluate the grade through density, sulfur, residue behaviour, metals, acidity and logistics. The stream is generally described as medium sour. Typical market markers are around 33.1 API and 2.07% sulfur.
Production and export geography is centred on Abu Dhabi offshore production and regional export terminals. 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.
Saudi Arabia · Dubai/Oman-linked OSP logic
Saudi Arabia · Dubai/Oman-linked OSP logic
Saudi Arabia · Dubai/Oman-linked OSP logic
Saudi Arabia · Dubai/Oman-linked OSP logic
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.
33.1 API · 2.07 S · medium sour
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.
Abu Dhabi offshore production and regional export terminals
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.
Murban-linked regional pricing
Upper Zakum is usually read in the market as a medium sour grade from United Arab Emirates. 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 33.1 API and 2.07% 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.
Murban-linked regional pricing. Abu Dhabi offshore production and regional export terminals
Upper Zakum · United Arab Emirates · medium sour Murban-linked regional pricing
Linked benchmark / reference: Murban-linked regional pricing.
Indicative position: medium-sour (≈ 33.1 API, 2.07% 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.
