The Difference Between Heavy Crude (energy abundance) and Light Crude Oil (energy shortages)
There are a lot of lies about crude oil in general, and it’s crucial to be aware of the demonic narratives being pushed by individuals with their own agendas. When I was younger, the mainstream narrative warned that oil was running out. That was false. In reality, powerful interests used this myth to manipulate public fear and keep prices artificially high.
What is true is that light crude oil will likely be depleted first. Meanwhile, heavy crude oil, which is far more abundant, remains underutilized due to higher production and refining costs. These costs are not purely technical—they’re exacerbated by government price controls and currency devaluation in many energy-producing nations. Under a gold standard, the production cost gap between light and heavy crude would be negligible.
Understanding the Difference Between Heavy and Light Crude Oil
Crude oil is classified by API gravity—a measure of how heavy or light the oil is compared to water:
| Type | API Gravity (Approx.) | Viscosity | Sulfur Content | Ease of Refining |
| Light Crude | > 31.1° | Low | Low | Easy |
| Heavy Crude | < 22.3° | High | High | Difficult |
Light Crude Oil is:
- Easier to refine into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel
- Less viscous and flows more naturally
- Valued more on global markets (e.g., WTI, Brent)
Heavy Crude Oil is:
- More viscous, contains more impurities (e.g., sulfur)
- Requires complex refining (e.g., coking, cracking)
- Abundant in Canada, Venezuela, Iraq, and parts of Asia
What Is Heavy Crude Oil Used For?
Despite its higher refining cost, heavy crude supports global infrastructure and industry:
- Diesel and marine fuel: Powers commercial trucks, cargo ships, and trains.
- Asphalt: Essential for road and roofing construction.
- Fuel oils and lubricants: Used in manufacturing and large-scale heating.
- Petroleum coke: A byproduct used in aluminum smelting, cement kilns, and power plants.
Countries with advanced refining infrastructure—like the U.S. Gulf Coast, India, and China—can process heavy crude efficiently to meet demand for these vital products.
Advantages of Heavy Crude Oil Over Light Crude Oil
- Lower Purchase Cost: Heavy crude trades at a discount, giving refiners better margins.
- Greater Abundance: Especially in Venezuela and Canada, heavy reserves are more plentiful.
- Industrial Applications: Heavy crude is ideal for durable products like asphalt and lubricants.
- Flexibility in Refining: Specialized refineries can handle more feedstock varieties.
- Byproduct Revenue: Petroleum coke and other outputs provide additional income.
Global Light Crude Oil Regions
| Region | Country/Area | Notable Crudes |
| North America | U.S. (Permian, Bakken, Eagle Ford) | WTI |
| Canada (Montney, Duvernay) | Light tight oil | |
| Africa | Nigeria, Libya | Bonny Light, Forcados, Es Sider |
| Middle East | UAE (Murban), Algeria (Saharan Blend) | Light sweet |
| Asia | Malaysia (Tapis), Vietnam (Bach Ho) | Ultra-light crudes |
| South America | Colombia, Argentina (Vaca Muerta) | Light shale/tight oils |
| Europe | UK & Norway (North Sea) | Brent Blend |
Global Heavy Crude Oil Regions
| Region | Country/Area | Notable Crudes |
| North America | Canada (Alberta Oil Sands), U.S. (CA, UT) | Bitumen, Kern River, Uinta crude |
| South America | Venezuela (Orinoco Belt), Ecuador | Extra-heavy and sour crudes |
| Middle East | Iraq (Basrah Heavy), Iran | High sulfur grades |
| Africa | Angola, Chad | Dalia, Hungo, Doba Blend |
| Asia | China (Bohai Bay), India, Indonesia | Suizhong 36-1, Duri field |
| Central Asia | Russia, Kazakhstan | Urals Blend, Kashagan |
Heavy crude oil isn’t just an alternative—it’s a strategic global asset that, when used properly, offers long-term supply security and industrial utility. In a world of manipulated narratives and politicized markets, understanding the difference between crude types is a financial and geopolitical advantage.
Saudi Arabia: The Walmart of Crude Oil Supply
When people think of oil, Saudi Arabia often comes to mind—and for good reason. If the global oil market were a retail store, Saudi Arabia would be the Walmart of crude: massive supply, strategic variety, and global reach. The Kingdom doesn’t just produce oil—it mass-produces it across several grades to serve nearly every type of refinery on Earth.
Saudi Aramco, the state-run oil giant, produces five main grades of crude oil, classified primarily by API gravity (which determines how heavy or light the oil is) and sulfur content (which affects how easy it is to refine).
Here’s a breakdown of the Saudi oil catalog:
| Grade | API Gravity Range | Sulfur Content | Description |
| Arabian Heavy | Low | High | Thick and sulfur-rich, requires advanced refining. Often sold at a discount. |
| Arabian Medium | Moderate | Moderate | More manageable in refining than heavy crude; commonly exported. |
| Arabian Light | ~33–35° API | Low–Moderate | Highly versatile; often used as a pricing benchmark in global markets. |
| Arabian Extra Light | ~38–40° API | Low | High yield of gasoline and distillates. Sought after by complex refineries. |
| Arabian Super Light | ~50°+ API | Very Low | Ultra-light, highly prized for premium fuels and petrochemicals. |
Why This Matters:
Saudi Arabia’s ability to offer a range of oil grades gives it unmatched flexibility in global trade. Whether a country needs cheaper heavy crude for industrial fuel oil or cleaner-burning light crude for jet fuel and gasoline, Saudi Arabia has something on tap.
Their production strategy makes them a one-stop shop in the oil world—just like how Walmart offers everything from groceries to electronics under one roof. This allows them to maintain influence across both developing and developed economies, serving refineries in China, India, the U.S., Europe, and beyond.
Moreover, this diversity in product lines enables Saudi Arabia to adapt quickly to changing market demands, geopolitical disruptions, or refining trends without over-relying on any single crude type.