Trading-oriented crude profile

Kearl

Kearl · Canada · heavy sour

Kearl

Kearl

Snapshot

FamilyCrude oil
Typical qualityheavy sour
API gravity19.8
Sulfur3.83
Primary originCanada
Producing areaAlberta oil sands and Hardisty-linked export system
Benchmark contextCanadian heavy blend pricing

Kearl is a named crude stream from Canada. Refiners, traders and analysts follow it because the name stands for a repeatable commercial reference in the Americas market.

Commercial users evaluate the grade through density, sulfur, residue behaviour, metals, acidity and logistics. The stream is generally described as heavy sour. Typical market markers are around 19.8 API and 3.83% sulfur.

Why this grade matters

Commercial notes

Production and export geography is centred on Alberta oil sands and Hardisty-linked export system. 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.

Method note

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.

Related grades

light sweet

WTI Light

United States · WTI / Cushing benchmark

Open profile

light sweet

Louisiana Light Sweet

United States · US Gulf Coast light sweet pricing

Open profile

medium sour

Mars

United States · USGC sour waterborne pricing

Open profile

light sweet

Bakken

United States · WTI-linked inland pricing

Open profile

Detailed commercial reading

Density and sulfur position

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.

19.8 API · 3.83 S · heavy sour

Refinery fit and basket logic

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.

Logistics and discharge

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.

Alberta oil sands and Hardisty-linked export system

Pricing and substitution

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.

Canadian heavy blend pricing

Commercial reading and buying logic

Benchmark and price formation

Kearl is usually read in the market as a heavy sour grade from Canada. Commercially, buyers compare its density, sulfur position and benchmark linkage against nearby substitutes, because replacement economics can move faster than headline flat price.

Refinery and yield relevance

With indicative markers around 19.8 API and 3.83% 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.

Logistics and destination fit

Canadian heavy blend pricing. Alberta oil sands and Hardisty-linked export system

Documentation and compliance

Kearl · Canada · heavy sour Canadian heavy blend pricing

Comparable grades (substitution set)

19.5 API · 3.87 S

Cold Lake Blend

Canadian heavy blend pricing

Open

23.0 API · 4.0 S

Basrah Heavy

Dubai/Oman-linked Iraqi OSP logic

Open

21.0 API · 3.4 S

Maya

Mexico heavy sour export pricing

Open

19.0 API · 2.8 S

Western Canadian Select

WCS heavy discount structure

Open

Quick questions (search intent)

How is it priced in practice?

Linked benchmark / reference: Canadian heavy blend pricing.

Where does it sit in the crude spectrum?

Indicative position: heavy-sour (≈ 19.8 API, 3.83% sulfur).

What should a buyer check before lifting?

Confirm contract spec, inspection method, loading terminal routines, document pack, sanctions/compliance screening and freight/discharge constraints.

What are realistic substitutes?

Use the substitution set below and compare delivered economics (differential + freight), not only headline benchmark moves.