TEHRAN- As the price of Brent crude approaches $90, experts emphasize the advantage of Iran's oil chemical composition and its role in the efficiency of the world's refineries.

According to a report by Mehr News Agency, while the price of Brent crude is on the verge of $90, energy market experts believe the importance of Iran's oil is not limited only to its export volume, but is also related to its chemical composition and refining characteristics.

In the oil industry, not all crude oils are the same, and their hydrocarbon composition determines the cost and efficiency of converting them into products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and fuel oil. One of the main indicators in this field is the "API gravity degree," which indicates whether crude oil is light or heavy.

According to experts, Iran's light crude oil has an API degree between 33 and 36 and a sulfur content of about 1.36 to 1.5 percent; a combination that many refineries consider the "sweet spot" or "optimal blend" for processing. This type of oil is light enough that its processing is not very costly, and at the same time, it is heavy enough to allow for the production of a wide range petroleum products.

In contrast, Venezuela's heavy "Merey" oil, with an API degree of about 16 and sulfur content of 3 to 5 percent, requires advanced units such as cokers, hydrocrackers, and extensive desulfurization systems, and only refineries designed for such feedstock can refine it economically.

On the other hand, America's "West Texas Intermediate" (WTI) oil, with an API degree of about 39 to 40 and sulfur content of less than 0.25 percent, is considered very light. Although its processing is simpler, for many complex refineries in Europe and Asia that are designed for medium oils, it is not suitable feedstock on its own and usually must be blended with heavier oils.

Accordingly, analysts believe that Iran's oil is situated in the middle point of the crude oil spectrum, and for this reason, it has high compatibility with the existing refining infrastructure in many countries of the world.

Experts also emphasize that the importance of the Strait of Hormuz is not limited only to the volume of oil passing through it, but an important part of the oil that passes through this route has a grade that is considered optimal for many of the world's refineries; an issue that, in the event of supply disruption, could also affect the efficiency of the global refining system.

MA