Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) is a high-quality, low-sulfur (“sweet”) crude oil produced in Nigeria. It’s named after Bonny Island/Bonny Terminal in Rivers State where it’s loaded. It is one of the country’s most important flagship export grades and is highly valued by refineries because it yields a large proportion of gasoline, diesel, and other light petroleum products.
OVERVIEW
Origin: Nigeria
Production Area: Niger Delta region
Export Terminal: Bonny Oil Terminal
Crude Type: Light, Sweet Crude Oil
PROPERTY TYPICAL SPECIFICATION
• API Gravity: Typically, around 35° – 37° API “Light” crude. Low density, flows easily. High yield of gasoline/jet fuel.
• Sulfur Content: Approximately 0.14–0.20% (low sulfur) Very low sulfur = less refining cost + less SO2 emissions “Sweet” crude.
• Density: @15°C 849-850 kg/m³ Thin compared to heavy crudes.
• Pour Point: -5°C to -36°C Stays liquid in cold, good flow.
• Color: Dark Brown Dark, but much thinner than D6 fuel oil.
• Origin: Nigeria, Bonny Terminal NNPC Export grade benchmark.
WHY BONNY LIGHT IS VALUABLE
• Low sulfur content – easier and cheaper to refine.
• High yield of valuable products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel.
• Strong international demand from refineries in Europe, Asia, and other regions.
• Good refining characteristics compared with heavier crude grades.
WHY REFINERIES LOVE IT & WHAT MAKES BLCO SPECIAL:
BLCO is a “sweet, light” crude- that’s gold for refineries.
• High yield of light products: 70-80% ends up as gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel. The distillation shows 51.5% distills by 250°C
• Low sulfur: “sweet”: Only 0.15% sulfur vs 2-4% in heavy sour crudes. Less hydrotreating needed
• Low metals/asphaltenes: Very low nickel, vanadium, asphaltenes = less catalyst poisoning.
PRODUCTS REFINED FROM BLCO
Refineries can produce:
• LPG (Cooking Gas)
• Gasoline (PMS)
• Diesel (AGO / EN590-type diesel after refining)
• Kerosene
• Jet Fuel (Jet A-1)
• Fuel Oil
• Petrochemical feedstocks
TRADING TERMS
BLCO is commonly traded under:
• FOB (Free on Board)
• CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight)
• Spot cargo contracts
• Long-term supply agreements
TYPICAL CARGO SIZES
• 950,000 barrels
• 1,000,000 barrels
• 2,000,000 barrels and above
KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS
Nigeria’s crude oil sector is overseen by entities such as Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and international oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.
For oil trading purposes, BLCO is considered one of the most recognized African crude oil grades alongside Brent Crude and other major export crudes.
Advantages
- Low sulfur content and high API gravity enable lower refining costs, cleaner processing, and higher yields of premium petroleum products.
- Highly valued by refineries worldwide for its excellent refining characteristics, producing significant quantities of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, and LPG.
- Each cargo is inspected and certified by internationally recognized inspection agencies to ensure compliance with contractual specifications before shipment.
- Flexible supply arrangements including FOB, CIF, spot cargoes, long-term contracts, and customized cargo volumes to meet buyer requirements.
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