Crude Oil Supply: CPC Blend & Iraqi Basrah — Safety, Specs & Trade
A complete buyer's guide to two of Asia's most traded crude grades — with full safety data, hazard information, SDS/MSDS download, and cargo specifications from Sanyang Petroleum.
Crude oil remains the world's most traded commodity — and for refineries, independent processors, and trading companies across Asia, choosing the right grade is as important as finding the right price. Two grades stand out for buyers in the Southeast Asia and South Asia markets: CPC Blend from Kazakhstan and Iraqi Basrah from southern Iraq.
At Sanyang Petroleum, a downstream energy company under Canven Group PLT, we trade crude oil as a principal — connecting refineries and buyers with supply on FOB and CIF terms. This article covers what procurement teams need to know about these two grades: their specifications, safety requirements, documentation, and trade terms.
1. Grade Profiles — CPC Blend and Iraqi Basrah
Understanding the difference between these two grades is the starting point for any refinery procurement conversation. They serve different refinery configurations and produce different product yields.
CPC Blend
Kazakhstan origin · Regional load terminal (confirmed at contract stage)
- API Gravity
- 43° – 45°
- Sulphur Content
- 0.50 – 0.56% wt
- Density @ 15°C
- 0.803 – 0.808 g/cm³
- Viscosity @ 20°C
- 4.5 – 6.0 cSt
- Pour Point
- –18°C to –12°C
- H2S (vapour)
- < 10 ppm
- Wax Content
- 3 – 5%
- Naphtha Yield
- ~25%
- Load Region
- Confirmed at contract stage
- Pricing Basis
- Brent ± differential
Iraqi Basrah
Iraq origin · Authorised trading channels · Southern Iraq load terminal
- Basrah Light API
- 29° – 33°
- Basrah Heavy API
- 24° – 29°
- Sulphur (Light)
- 2.8 – 3.2% wt
- Sulphur (Heavy)
- 3.3 – 3.8% wt
- Density @ 15°C
- 0.871 – 0.902 g/cm³
- Pour Point
- –3°C to +15°C
- H2S (vapour)
- 50 – 500 ppm
- Fuel Oil Yield
- ~35 – 45%
- Load Region
- Southern Iraq terminal
- Pricing Basis
- Oman/Dubai ± OSP
"CPC Blend suits complex refineries seeking high naphtha and jet fuel yields. Iraqi Basrah suits deep conversion refineries in Asia built for high-sulphur sour crudes — particularly in China, India, and South Korea."
2. Why the Crude Oil SDS/MSDS Matters — and What It Contains
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — formerly called a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) — is a legally required document under GHS (Globally Harmonized System) regulations adopted by over 65 countries including Malaysia, China, India, the EU, and the USA. For crude oil specifically, it is not optional: every shipment, every storage facility, and every handling operation requires a current, valid SDS on file.
📌 Regulatory Requirement
Under Malaysia's Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA) and Usaha, Industri dan Perdagangan (CIMAH) Regulations, suppliers of hazardous chemicals — including crude oil — are required to provide an SDS to the receiver at the time of first supply and whenever the SDS is updated. The same requirement applies under China GB/T 16483, India HazChem Rules, and EU REACH.
Our Crude Oil SDS is structured across 16 mandatory sections per GHS Rev.9:
3. The H2S Hazard — Critical for Iraqi Basrah Handlers
The single most critical safety distinction between CPC Blend (sweet crude) and Iraqi Basrah (sour crude) is hydrogen sulphide (H2S) content. This is not a minor administrative difference — it is a life-safety issue that requires different equipment, procedures, and trained personnel.
H2S — Fatal Hazard
H2S is colourless, heavier than air, and causes rapid olfactory fatigue — meaning you lose the ability to smell it at dangerous concentrations. At 100 ppm it is Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). At 500–1,000 ppm, unconsciousness and death can occur within minutes. Never rely on smell to detect H2S. Calibrated gas detection instruments are mandatory for all Iraqi Basrah handling operations.
| H2S Level | Effect on Personnel | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| < 1 ppm | Detectable odour (rotten egg) | Monitor continuously |
| 1 – 10 ppm | Eye irritation, headache (prolonged) | Increase ventilation, PPE review |
| 10 – 50 ppm | Strong irritation, olfactory fatigue begins | Evacuate non-essential personnel, SCBA standby |
| 50 – 100 ppm | Severe eye/respiratory irritation, dizziness | Immediate evacuation, SCBA mandatory |
| > 100 ppm (IDLH) | Rapid unconsciousness, pulmonary oedema | Emergency response — do not enter without SCBA |
| > 500 ppm | Immediate collapse, death within minutes | Major emergency — do not enter under any circumstances |
Minimum H2S Safety Requirements for Iraqi Basrah Handling
- Continuous H2S gas detection with audible + visual alarm (alarm set at 5 ppm)
- SCBA units available and maintained at all transfer points
- Minimum two-person rule for all sampling and gauging operations
- H2S awareness training for all terminal and vessel personnel (OPITO standard recommended)
- Emergency response plan with H2S-specific procedures
- Wind direction monitoring — establish upwind muster points
4. Benzene — The Hidden Carcinogen in Crude Oil
Both CPC Blend and Iraqi Basrah contain benzene — a colourless liquid aromatic hydrocarbon present at 0.1–2% in most crude grades. Benzene is classified by IARC as a Group 1 human carcinogen — meaning there is sufficient evidence it causes cancer in humans (specifically leukaemia) with prolonged occupational exposure.
| Jurisdiction | Benzene OEL TWA | Benzene OEL STEL | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 0.5 ppm | 2.5 ppm (15 min) | EU OEL Directive 2017/164 |
| USA (OSHA) | 1 ppm | 5 ppm | 29 CFR 1910.1028 |
| Malaysia | 0.5 ppm | 2.5 ppm | DOSH Occupational Exposure Limits |
| China | 6 mg/m³ (~2 ppm) | 10 mg/m³ | GBZ 2.1-2019 |
ALARA Principle
Because benzene is a known carcinogen with no established safe threshold, the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) applies. Biological monitoring (blood benzene / urinary S-PMA) is recommended for tank gaugers, samplers, and any personnel with frequent crude oil contact. Full details are covered in Section 11 of our Crude Oil SDS.
5. Trade Terms and Cargo Documentation
Crude oil trades are conducted under internationally recognised terms. For CPC Blend and Iraqi Basrah, the standard delivery basis is FOB (Free On Board) at the loading terminal, though CIF and DES arrangements can be structured depending on buyer requirements.
| Document | Purpose | Issued By |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of Lading (BL) | Title transfer — proof of shipment and ownership | Vessel Master / Shipping Agent |
| Certificate of Quality (COQ) | Actual cargo composition, API gravity, sulphur, H2S | Independent Inspector (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas) |
| Certificate of Quantity (COQ) | Volume loaded (gross/net barrels, MT) | Independent Inspector at load port |
| Certificate of Origin (COO) | Confirms country of production | Load port authority / Chamber of Commerce |
| Safety Data Sheet (SDS) | Hazard, safety & regulatory information | Seller / Supplier — download above |
| Ullage Report | Tank measurement before and after loading | Vessel Chief Officer / Inspector |
| Notice of Readiness (NOR) | Vessel ready to load — triggers laytime | Vessel Master |
Sanyang Petroleum Documentation Standard
We provide a complete documentation package on every cargo: BL, COQ (quality & quantity), COO, SDS, ullage report, and cargo manifest. Our independent inspection is conducted by SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas depending on load port availability.
6. Transport Classification and MARPOL
Crude oil is regulated as a marine pollutant under MARPOL Annex I. All vessels transporting crude oil must comply with MARPOL Annex I requirements, carry a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP), and maintain an Oil Record Book.
| Grade | UN Number | IMDG Class | Packing Group | Special Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPC Blend (sweet) | UN 1267 | Class 3 | II | Flammable liquid — standard crude transport |
| Iraqi Basrah Light/Heavy (sour) | UN 3494 | Class 3 + 6.1 | I / II | Toxic by inhalation (H2S). Special stowage required. |
Note the critical difference: Iraqi Basrah, as a sour crude with significant H2S content, is classified under UN 3494 — which carries an additional toxic inhalation hazard classification. This affects vessel stowage requirements, crew safety procedures, and terminal emergency planning. Full transport details are in Section 14 of our Crude Oil SDS.
7. Why Source Crude Oil Through Sanyang Petroleum?
- Principal trader — we take cargo positions directly, not acting as broker or agent
- CPC Blend active corridor — established supply route to Asian buyers via regional load terminals
- Iraqi Basrah sourcing — supply through authorised regional trading channels
- Malaysia-registered entity — clean jurisdiction, straightforward KYC for Asian buyers
- Trade finance facility — LC-supported transactions via Maybank Malaysia
- Full documentation — SDS, COQ, BL, COO provided as standard on every cargo
- Independent inspection — SGS / Intertek / Bureau Veritas at load port
- MATRADE-registered — Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation member
Submit a Crude Oil Cargo Enquiry
Company
Sanyang Petroleum
A Canven Group PLT Company
Registered Address
55, Jalan SS25/32, Taman Mayang,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603-78031184 | Fax: 03-78031208
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Tell us your required grade (CPC Blend or Iraqi Basrah), delivery port, volume, and preferred Incoterm. All inquiries are reviewed based on product, logistics and commercial requirements.
Sanyang Petroleum — A Canven Group PLT Company
55, Jalan SS25/32, Taman Mayang, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603-78031184 | Fax: 03-78031208
info@sanyangpetroleum.com · sanyangpetroleum.com
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell. All trade enquiries are subject to standard terms, conditions, and applicable regulatory requirements. Safety data is for reference — actual cargo SDS provided at point of sale.