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Trading conceptsapi-gravity

API gravity

A measure of crude oil density relative to water — higher API = lighter crude.

API gravity is the American Petroleum Institute's measure of crude oil density relative to water. Higher API = lighter crude = more valuable (more gasoline and middle distillate yield).

  • Heavy: <22° API (e.g., Western Canadian Select ~20° API)
  • Medium: 22-31° API (e.g., Arab Heavy ~28° API)
  • Light: >31° API (e.g., WTI ~40° API, Brent ~38° API)

Sulphur content (sweet <0.5%, sour >0.5%) is the other critical quality dimension.

Related: Brent, WTI, Dubai.

Frequently asked

What does API gravity mean in oil and commodity trading?
A measure of crude oil density relative to water — higher API = lighter crude.
How do I check a counterparty that uses API gravity in a deal?
The term itself is not enough to clear or condemn a deal. What matters is the counterparty behind the pitch. Screen that name for free against 8 sanctions lists plus PEP and OilFlow's first-party cluster corpus in seconds, or order the full 7-step dossier for $25, and confirm identity documents and banking details independently before you transact.

See also

brentwtidubai

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