The value of Angolan crude
Not all oils are created equal, nevertheless despite fierce competition from Nigeria's highly graded oils, Angolan oil sells well in the international markets. This performance can be exemplified by:
- Crude from Nemba and Palanca is light and appropriate for gasoline production and are favored by US buyers.
- Kuito's crude is dense and has good acceptance in the Middle East where the economy is growing exponentially.
- For being good for production on fuel oil, a great majority of crude from Cabinda has lately been exported to China.
Cabinda and Nemba come from Block Zero, Angola’s most prolific area, at the mouth of the Congo River; Kuito and Xikomba come from deepwater Blocks 14 and 15 respectively; Girassol from Block 17 and Palanca from Blocks 2 and 3. For more information about the Blocks, please consult the concessions' map.
Angola's six main grades of oil have quoted prices. Nemba and Palanca are the best quality crude type (i.e. lowest content of sulphur and asphalt) and trade at a premium to Brent. But crude from Kuito and Cabinda, with heavy content of sulphur and asphalt, normally trade at a discount to Brent.
Cabinda could be regarded as the benchmark Angolan crude and is a reference point for international markets. Platt’s, the commodities reporting company, considers Cabinda grades to be transparent and globally traded.
Trading matters
Although Sonangol E.P.'s own production is small, the oil that it trades represents its crude equity in Blocks in which it is a shareholder, as well as oil due to it through its role as concessionaire.
Generally the company will sell around 30 cargoes over 90 days, with each cargo typically comprising almost a million barrels. Nowadays Sonangol has the ability to choose its own clients, and we choose people who are end users rather than traders.
The US, the world's largest oil consumer, is still the biggest purchaser of Angolan crude, but China has moved into second place, with demand from Asia growing rapidly.Trading Angola’s varied grades of oil - there are six different ones whose properties depend upon the field from which they come - is a matter of seasonal requirement as well as the specifics of local demand.