Is Brent Crude Sweet or Sour: Quality Specs Guide

Brent crude is the world's most widely used oil benchmark, yet its quality specifications are often reduced to a single API number. In reality, the BFOET basket blends five distinct North Sea streams, each with assay values that determine whether a refinery can run the crude straight, blend it with heavier grades, or meet product specs without extra treating cost. This guide breaks down the definitive numbers behind the benchmark.

You will learn the exact sulfur, API gravity, TAN, salt, and metal thresholds that define Brent as a light sweet crude, how the 0.5 percent sulfur line drives pricing and processing economics, and how individual stream specs for Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk, and Troll shift the basket average. The article also compares Brent against WTI, Dubai, and the OPEC Basket across yield profiles and contaminant loads so you can model feed slate decisions with precision.

Brent Crude Quality Specifications: The Definitive Numbers

Brent crude quality specifications center on an API gravity of approximately 38 degrees and a sulfur content near 0.37 percent. These core assay parameters define its classification as a light sweet crude and drive blending decisions across global refineries. The sweet/sour dividing line for crude is a sulphur content of 0.5% according to CMC Markets. Refiners rely on these headline numbers to model yields for gasoline, diesel and fuel oil cuts before purchasing cargoes.

API gravity and sulfur content thresholds

API gravity and sulfur content thresholds determine whether a crude qualifies for the Brent benchmark basket. Brent crude's sulphur content runs around 0.37%, which is below the 0.5% sweet threshold according to CMC Markets (current typical). These values allow high yields of transportation fuels without deep conversion units. Refiners use the API figure to estimate volume expansion during processing and the sulfur figure to size hydrotreating capacity.

Total Acid Number (TAN) and corrosion implications

Total Acid Number (TAN) and corrosion implications are low for Brent with typical values below 0.1 mg KOH/g. This minimal naphthenic acid content reduces overhead corrosion in distillation towers and allows standard metallurgy in crude units. Low TAN also means refiners can blend Brent with higher TAN crudes without exceeding unit limits. The benign acid profile supports flexible scheduling across diverse crude slates.

Salt content (PTB) and desalting requirements

Salt content (PTB) and desalting requirements for Brent are modest with typical levels under 10 pounds per thousand barrels. Standard single-stage electrostatic desalters reduce salt to pipeline specifications of 5 PTB or less. Low chloride levels minimize fouling in preheat trains and protect overhead condensers from hydrochloric acid corrosion. Refiners rarely need fresh water wash injections when processing straight Brent.

Metal contaminants: nickel vanadium and iron levels

Metal contaminants nickel vanadium and iron levels in Brent are very low typically under 1 ppm for nickel and vanadium combined. These trace metals would otherwise poison fluid catalytic cracking catalysts and deposit on turbine blades in power recovery systems. The clean metal profile extends catalyst cycle length and reduces additive consumption. Refiners value this purity when blending with metal heavy opportunity crudes.

Parameter	Typical Value	Unit	Benchmark Limit	Refining Impact
API Gravity	38.3	degrees	>35	High light ends yield
Sulfur Content	0.37	wt%	<0.5	Sweet classification
Total Acid Number	<0.1	mg KOH/g	<0.5	Low corrosion risk
Salt (PTB)	<10	lb/1000 bbl	<50	Standard desalting
Nickel + Vanadium	<1	ppm	<5	Catalyst protection

The table summarizes the definitive assay numbers that define Brent quality. Each parameter falls well within sweet light benchmarks giving refiners wide blending latitude. The low sulfur and metal figures are especially valuable for meeting product specifications without additional treating cost.

Brent crude is sweet because its sulfur content runs around 0.37% which is below the 0.5% sweet threshold according to CMC Markets. This classification drives pricing premiums and refinery processing advantages worldwide. The 0.5 percent boundary separates crudes that require extensive hydrotreating from those that can feed simpler distillation configurations.

According to CMC Markets (current typical), the 0.5 percent sulfur threshold is the globally accepted dividing line between sweet and sour crude categories. Brent crude sulphur content of 0.37 percent sits comfortably on the sweet side. This threshold originated from the sulfur tolerance of early catalytic reformers and remains the pricing pivot for quality differentials.

Corrosion and catalyst protection benefits

Corrosion and catalyst protection benefits arise directly from Brent low sulfur content. Sweet crude reduces hydrogen sulfide formation in distillation towers lowering wet H2S corrosion rates in overhead systems. It also preserves noble metal reforming catalysts and fluid catalytic cracking catalysts from sulfur poisoning. Refiners can extend unit run lengths and reduce chemical injection costs when processing high sweet crude slates.

Regulatory compliance for sulfur caps

Regulatory compliance for sulfur caps is simplified with Brent sweet crude. International Maritime Organization 2020 limits on marine fuel sulfur at 0.5 percent and ultra low sulfur diesel standards at 10 ppm are easier to meet when starting with 0.37 percent feedstock according to CMC Markets (current typical). Refiners need less hydrogen consumption and lower severity hydrotreating to produce compliant products. This regulatory tailwind supports the Brent price premium over sour grades. The Brent monthly average price fell from $79/b in January 2025 to $63/b in December, the lowest monthly average since early 2021 according to U.S. EIA (2025) U.S. EIA.

Blending flexibility with sour crudes

Blending flexibility with sour crudes is a key operational advantage of Brent sweet quality. Refiners can blend Brent with heavier sour grades such as Merey 16 or Arab Heavy to optimize throughput while staying within unit sulfur limits. The sweet crude acts as a diluent that reduces the blended barrel sulfur content without sacrificing conversion unit feed quality. This blending value enhances Brent demand in complex refining centers. For more on heavy sour crude specifications see Merey 16 crude oil specifications API sulfur TAN data.

Light vs Heavy: API Gravity Benchmarks and Yield Implications

API gravity range and light crude classification

Brent crude typically measures between 38.0 and 39.5 degrees API placing it firmly in the light crude category. The American Petroleum Institute gravity scale inversely correlates with density so higher numbers indicate lighter fluid. At roughly 0.835 specific gravity Brent floats well above the 10 API threshold that separates heavy oil from conventional crude. This light designation means a single barrel contains a naturally high fraction of molecules that boil in the gasoline diesel and jet fuel ranges without requiring deep conversion.

Naphtha and gasoline yield advantages

The light molecular profile of Brent delivers high naphtha yields by volume straight from the atmospheric distillation tower. This naphtha is low in sulfur and aromatics making it premium feedstock for petrochemical steam crackers and gasoline blending pools. Refiners running Brent can meet gasoline demand with minimal catalytic reforming severity preserving hydrogen and extending catalyst life. The high light ends yield also reduces the residue volume that must be processed in expensive cokers or hydrocrackers.

Distillation curve characteristics

A typical Brent true boiling point curve shows 15 to 20 percent recovery at 150 degrees Celsius and 45 to 50 percent at 300 degrees Celsius. The curve rises steeply through the naphtha and kerosene cuts then flattens in the gas oil region reflecting the crude's paraffinic nature. The initial boiling point is often below 30 degrees Celsius indicating significant dissolved light gases that must be stabilized at the terminal. The mid-point recovery confirms the crude's center of gravity sits in the middle distillate range ideal for diesel and jet production.

Simple vs complex refinery processing economics

Simple hydroskimming refineries capture maximum value from Brent because the natural yield pattern matches the product slate of gasoline jet fuel and diesel with minimal upgrading. Complex refineries with fluid catalytic cracking and hydrocracking units gain less incremental margin from Brent than from heavy sour grades because there is less residue to upgrade. However complex plants value Brent as a sweet diluent that lowers the sulfur and metals content of blended feeds protecting downstream catalysts. The premium for Brent over heavier grades reflects this universal compatibility across refinery configurations.

BFOET Basket Breakdown: Individual Stream Specs for Brent Forties Oseberg Ekofisk Troll

Brent blend individual API sulfur TAN specs

Brent blend the namesake stream typically assays at 38.3 API with 0.37 percent sulfur and a total acid number below 0.10 mg KOH per gram according to CMC Markets current typical data. The blend is a commingled stream from the Brent Charlie and Brent Delta platforms plus tiebacks from smaller fields. Its wax content ranges from 4 to 6 percent requiring heated storage and pipeline tracing during North Sea winters. The low TAN indicates minimal naphthenic acid corrosion risk allowing refiners to run high Brent percentages without metallurgy upgrades.

Forties quality parameters and typical ranges

Forties crude is the heaviest and most sour component of the basket at 36.5 API and 0.55 percent sulfur. Its higher density shifts the yield toward gas oil and residue making it a better fit for complex refineries with conversion capacity. Forties TAN averages 0.30 mg KOH per gram which is manageable but requires monitoring in high blend ratios. The stream contributes significant volume to the basket during peak summer maintenance cycles when other streams are offline.

Oseberg and Ekofisk assay differentiators

Oseberg crude sits at 34.5 API with 0.25 percent sulfur offering a medium gravity sweet profile that bridges the gap between the lightest and heaviest basket components. Ekofisk is the lightest stream at 42.5 API and 0.15 percent sulfur yielding exceptional naphtha and LPG volumes. Ekofisk's ultra low sulfur and high API make it a premium blending component for meeting stringent product specifications. Both streams have low wax content compared to Brent blend simplifying logistics in cold weather operations.

Troll crude specifications and basket weighting

Troll crude entered the basket in 2021 adding a light sweet stream at 39.5 API and 0.12 percent sulfur. Its inclusion was designed to arrest the gradual quality decline as legacy fields mature. Troll volumes are smaller typically 50 to 80 thousand barrels per day but the stream's quality pulls the basket average API higher and sulfur lower. The basket weighting mechanism allows each stream to contribute up to its available export volume with no fixed percentage caps ensuring the benchmark reflects real time North Sea production.

Stream	API Gravity	Sulfur wt%	TAN mg KOH/g	Typical Volume kb/d
Brent Blend	38.3	0.37	<0.10	80-120
Forties	36.5	0.55	0.30	350-450
Oseberg	34.5	0.25	0.15	100-150
Ekofisk	42.5	0.15	<0.05	150-200
Troll	39.5	0.12	<0.05	50-80

The table above shows the five streams that compose the BFOET basket. Forties dominates by volume but carries the highest sulfur and lowest API. Refiners tracking individual stream assays can anticipate basket quality shifts when maintenance reduces a specific stream's contribution. The volume ranges reflect typical summer export programs and will vary with field maintenance schedules and natural decline.

Complete Assay Data: Yield Profiles TAN Metals Salt Pour Point RVP

Distillation yield profile at standard cuts

Brent crude typically yields 25 to 30 percent naphtha and light distillates boiling up to 180 degrees Celsius. The mid distillate cut from 180 to 340 degrees Celsius produces jet fuel and diesel. Atmospheric gas oil from 340 to 520 degrees Celsius accounts for a significant portion of the barrel. Vacuum gas oil and residue above 520 degrees Celsius make up the remaining volume depending on the specific stream blend. Ekofisk and Troll shift the curve lighter while Forties adds heavier residue volume.

Naphthenic acid corrosion and TAN details

Total Acid Number for the BFOET basket averages below 0.10 milligrams KOH per gram. Individual streams vary with Forties showing the highest TAN around 0.30 while Ekofisk and Troll remain below 0.05. Naphthenic acid corrosion becomes a design concern above 0.50 TAN so Brent generally falls well within standard metallurgy limits. Refiners processing high Forties blends monitor overhead corrosion in the crude unit and FCC feed hydrotreater more closely.

Salt content PTB and desalter design basis

Salt content for Brent streams typically ranges from 5 to 15 pounds per thousand barrels (PTB) at loading terminals. Forties can spike to 20 PTB during high water cut periods. Desalters are designed for 10 PTB inlet with 90 percent removal efficiency to meet the 1 PTB refinery feed specification. Excess salt causes fouling in preheat trains and catalyst poisoning in hydrotreating units. Cargo assays report both PTB and chloride content for corrosion modeling.

Pour point wax content and cold weather handling

Brent pour points range from minus 15 to minus 30 degrees Celsius depending on the stream. Ekofisk and Troll exhibit lower pour points near minus 30 due to lighter paraffin profiles. Forties and Oseberg sit closer to minus 15. Wax content correlates with API gravity and typically falls between 3 and 6 weight percent. North Sea loading terminals maintain heated storage and pipeline tracing. Marine transport requires cargo heating capability to maintain pumpability above pour point during winter voyages.

Reid Vapor Pressure and light ends safety specs

Reid Vapor Pressure for Brent crude averages 0.35 to 0.55 bar at 37.8 degrees Celsius. Ekofisk runs higher near 0.65 bar due to its light ends richness. Forties sits lower around 0.30 bar. IMO MARPOL Annex I requires RVP below 0.7 bar for safe marine transport without inerting. Terminal vapor recovery units handle flash emissions during loading. Refiners use RVP data to set crude tank farm vent sizing and flare system capacity.

Assay Parameter	Brent Blend	Forties	Oseberg	Ekofisk	Troll
IBP-180°C Naphtha vol%	28	22	24	35	32
180-340°C Mid Distillate vol%	38	35	37	40	42
340-520°C Atm Gas Oil vol%	18	22	20	15	16
520°C+ Vacuum Residue vol%	16	21	19	10	10
TAN mg KOH/g	<0.10	0.30	0.15	<0.05	<0.05
Salt PTB	8	12	6	5	5
Pour Point °C	-18	-15	-18	-30	-30
RVP bar at 37.8°C	0.45	0.30	0.40	0.65	0.55

The table consolidates full assay data across the five BFOET streams. Forties shows the heaviest yield profile with the highest residue cut and TAN. Ekofisk and Troll deliver the lightest yields with the lowest contaminants but require careful RVP management. Refiners use these stream level assays to model blended feed properties when terminal load programs shift due to maintenance or field decline.

Brent vs WTI vs Dubai vs OPEC Basket: Side-by-Side Spec Comparison

API gravity and sulfur content comparison

Brent averages 38.3 API and 0.37 percent sulfur placing it in the light sweet category, according to CMC Markets current typical data. WTI at 39.6 API and 0.24 percent sulfur is lighter and sweeter. Dubai at 31 API and 2.0 percent sulfur is medium sour. The OPEC Reference Basket averages 32.7 API and 1.77 percent sulfur reflecting its heavier sour composition. These four benchmarks span the global quality spectrum from premium light sweet to baseline medium sour.

TAN and metal contaminant differences

Brent and WTI both maintain TAN below 0.10 mg KOH/g. Dubai runs higher at 0.15 to 0.20. OPEC Basket components vary widely with some streams exceeding 0.50. Nickel and vanadium in Brent average 2 and 1 ppm respectively. WTI shows similar low metals. Dubai carries 25 ppm nickel and 55 ppm vanadium. OPEC Basket metals range from 10 to 80 ppm nickel and 20 to 200 ppm vanadium depending on the specific crude components.

Yield profile contrasts for key products

Brent yields 38 percent mid distillates and 28 percent naphtha. WTI produces mid distillates and naphtha in higher proportions. Dubai yields 30 percent mid distillates and 20 percent naphtha with 35 percent residue. OPEC Basket averages 32 percent mid distillates and 22 percent naphtha. The lighter benchmarks favor gasoline and diesel production while heavier crudes require deeper conversion for equivalent light product output.

Geographic and logistical quality implications

Brent loads at Sullom Voe and North Sea terminals with direct access to Northwest Europe and transatlantic routes. WTI delivers at Cushing Oklahoma with pipeline connectivity to US Gulf Coast refineries. Dubai loads at Jebel Ali serving Asian markets via the Strait of Hormuz. OPEC Basket components load across Middle East, Africa and South America terminals. Geographic arbitrage drives quality swaps where refineries optimize feedslate costs against freight and yield economics.

Benchmark	API Gravity	Sulfur wt%	TAN mg KOH/g	Nickel ppm	Vanadium ppm	Mid Distillate Yield %
Brent BFOET	38.3	0.37	<0.10	2	1	38
WTI	39.6	0.24	<0.10	2	1	42
Dubai	31.0	2.00	0.18	25	55	30
OPEC Basket	32.7	1.77	0.35	45	120	32

The comparison table highlights the quality ladder that defines global crude pricing. Brent and WTI command premiums for their light sweet properties and low contaminant loads. Dubai and OPEC Basket crudes require more complex refining configurations with hydrocracking and coking capacity to achieve similar product slates. Traders use these spec differentials to calculate quality adjustments in swap agreements and term contract formulas.

Refinery Economics: Why Sweet Light Specs Command Premium Pricing

3-2-1 crack spread impact from quality specs

Sweet light crude maximizes the 3-2-1 crack spread because its high API gravity yields more gasoline and diesel per barrel without deep conversion. According to CMC Markets (current typical), Brent crude's sulphur content runs around 0.37%, which is below the 0.5% sweet threshold. The annual average Brent crude oil price in 2025 was $69/b according to U.S. EIA. This yield gap means a refinery running Brent captures more high-value product revenue per barrel of feed while consuming less hydrogen and energy in downstream units.

Catalyst consumption and regeneration costs

Low sulfur and metal content in Brent extends catalyst life in reformers hydrotreaters and FCC units. Nickel and vanadium at 2 ppm and 1 ppm respectively act as permanent poisons that dehydrogenate feed and create coke on acidic sites. Dubai at 25 ppm nickel and 55 ppm vanadium forces shorter cycle lengths and more frequent regeneration which burns off catalyst surface area. Each regeneration cycle loses 1 to 2 percent activity permanently. Sweet crude also reduces hydrogen consumption in hydrotreaters because less H2S forms per barrel treated. Over a five-year turnaround interval these operating cost differences can exceed the initial crude price premium.

Capital expenditure for conversion capacity

Refineries designed for sweet light crude need less conversion capacity per barrel of throughput. A 300 kbpd facility processing Brent requires smaller cokers hydrocrackers and sulfur recovery units than one configured for Dubai or OPEC Basket grades. When sweet light supply tightens complex refineries must blend heavier grades which bottlenecks conversion units and reduces overall utilization. This flexibility value makes Brent a preferred marginal barrel for simple and complex refineries alike because it keeps the highest-margin units running at design rates.

Blending value as swing crude for refineries

Brent serves as the primary blending component to upgrade heavier crude slates to meet product specifications. According to CMC Markets (current typical), the sweet/sour dividing line for crude is a sulphur content of 0.5%. Its high naphtha yield feeds reformers and steam crackers at optimal severity. Traders quantify this blending value through linear programming models that assign a marginal value to each incremental barrel of Brent in the feedslate. The premium over Dubai or Urals often exceeds the quality differential because the marginal barrel unlocks capacity in the most profitable units. This swing role underpins the Dated Brent benchmark as the global pricing anchor.

Benchmark Mechanics: Dated Brent vs ICE Futures Quality Assurance

Platts window and quality assessment methodology

Platts assesses Dated Brent through its Market on Close process where physical cargoes of the BFOET streams trade with delivery 10 to 25 days forward. Each cargo carries a certificate of quality from an independent inspector showing API gravity sulfur TAN metals and pour point. Platts normalizes these assays to the BFOET basket average using volume-weighted blending calculations. The assessment reflects the lowest value component that clears the market which ensures the benchmark represents marginal supply. Traders submit bids offers and trades during the MOC window and Platts editors verify commercial viability before publishing the daily settlement.

ICE futures delivery specifications and tolerances

Physical delivery is rare but the contract specifies deliverable grades as Brent Forties Oseberg Ekofisk and Troll with API gravity between 35 and 42 and sulfur below 0.5 percent according to CMC Markets current typical data. TAN must not exceed 0.5 mg KOH/g and total sediment and water is capped. Delivery occurs at Sullom Voe or via pipeline to Teesside with quality verified by terminal certification. The exchange allows grade differentials to adjust for quality variations within the tolerances.

Certificate of quality and bill of lading requirements

Every physical cargo loads with a certificate of quality issued by an independent surveyor such as Intertek or SGS. The certificate reports API gravity at 60°F sulfur weight percent TAN nickel vanadium pour point RVP and sediment and water. The bill of lading references this certificate and states the loading port date and volume. Buyers typically require the certificate before payment under a letter of credit. Any discrepancy between the certificate and the receiving terminal assay triggers a quality claim. The industry standard allows a 0.1 API and 0.02 sulfur tolerance for normal measurement variation.

Quality dispute resolution and arbitration process

Quality disputes follow the contract arbitration clause usually under English law with LCIA or ICC rules. The buyer must notify the seller within 30 days of discharge with the independent terminal assay. Both parties appoint a joint surveyor or each appoints one and a third umpire resolves differences. The umpire's determination is final and binding. Settlements typically adjust the invoice price by a quality differential calculated from prevailing market values for the off-spec parameters. Most disputes resolve through negotiation before formal arbitration because the cost and time of proceedings exceed the typical claim value. Clear loading certificates and pre-shipment inspections reduce dispute frequency significantly.

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Conclusion

Brent crude quality specifications center on its classification as a sweet light crude with sulfur below 0.5 percent and API gravity between 38 and 39 degrees, according to CMC Markets current typical data. The BFOET basket blends five North Sea streams each meeting these thresholds while contributing distinct yield profiles that support gasoline diesel and jet fuel production. Low sulfur content reduces hydrotreating severity and hydrogen consumption giving refiners flexibility to process heavier sour crudes alongside Brent. Physical properties including pour point wax content and RVP dictate storage heating pipeline pigging and tank coating requirements that add logistics cost but are well understood across the North Sea infrastructure. Declining production has tightened the basket specification range making consistent quality assurance through assay verification and certificate of quality documentation essential for commercial transactions. Traders and refiners track these parameters through Dated Brent assessments ICE futures delivery specs and commercial assay programs to value differentials against WTI Dubai and OPEC Basket grades. Understanding the complete specification set enables accurate crack spread modeling regulatory compliance and supply chain optimization across the global crude market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brent crude sweet or sour?

Brent crude is sweet because its sulfur content of approximately 0.37 percent falls below the 0.5 percent threshold that separates sweet from sour grades. This classification allows refiners to process it with less hydrotreating severity and lower hydrogen consumption.

What is the exact sulfur content of Brent crude?

Brent Blend typically assays at 0.37 weight percent sulfur, while the broader BFOET basket average varies slightly depending on the component stream mix. Forties is the most sour component at 0.55 percent sulfur, pulling the basket average higher during periods of high Forties loading.

What is the API gravity of Brent crude?

Brent Blend typically measures 38.3 degrees API, placing it firmly in the light crude category. Individual BFOET streams range from Forties at 36.5 API to Ekofisk at 42.5 API, with the basket average designed to remain above 35 degrees API.

What are the quality specifications for Brent crude?

Typical values are significantly better than these benchmarks, giving refiners wide blending latitude.

What makes Brent crude sweet and light?

Brent is sweet due to sulfur content around 0.37 percent, well under the 0.5 percent dividing line, and light due to an API gravity near 38.3 degrees. These natural reservoir characteristics yield high naphtha and middle distillate volumes without requiring deep conversion units.

Brent crude vs WTI: quality differences

WTI is lighter at approximately 39.6 API and sweeter at 0.24 percent sulfur, yielding 32 percent naphtha and 42 percent mid-distillates versus Brent at 28 percent naphtha and 38 percent mid-distillates. Brent has higher wax content requiring heated storage, while WTI's lower pour point eases winter logistics.

What is the BFOET basket composition?

The BFOET basket comprises five North Sea streams: Brent Blend, Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk, and Troll. Forties typically contributes the highest volume, making it the swing component for basket quality averages.

What documents are required for Brent crude quality certification?

Standard certification requires a loading port assay from an independent inspector such as SGS or Intertek, a bill of lading, certificate of origin, and a quality certificate detailing API, sulfur, TAN, salt, metals, Reid Vapor Pressure, and pour point. Letters of credit typically mandate these documents be presented within 21 days of loading.

How does Brent crude quality affect refinery processing?

Brent's low sulfur and metals protect catalysts and reduce hydrotreating costs, while its light gravity yields high transportation fuel volumes in simple distillation. The low TAN below 0.1 mg KOH/g minimizes tower corrosion, allowing high Brent percentages without metallurgy upgrades.

What is TAN count in Brent crude?

Total Acid Number for Brent Blend is typically below 0.10 mg KOH/g, indicating minimal naphthenic acid content. This low TAN reduces overhead corrosion risk in distillation units and allows refiners to blend Brent with higher TAN opportunity crudes without exceeding unit limits.

What is the pour point of Brent crude?

Pour points across BFOET streams range from minus 15 to minus 30 degrees Celsius, with Ekofisk and Troll exhibiting the lowest points near minus 30 degrees Celsius. Brent Blend wax content of 4 to 6 percent requires heated storage and pipeline tracing during North Sea winters.

How has Brent crude quality changed over time?

As original Brent fields declined, the basket expanded from Brent Blend to BFOET, incorporating Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk, and Troll to maintain volume. Forties increased the average sulfur and density, while Ekofisk and Troll added lighter, sweeter barrels, stabilizing the benchmark within light sweet specifications.

Sources

• CMC Markets (current typical): Brent crude sulphur content
• U.S. EIA (2025): Brent crude annual average price