Marine fuel blenders, refiners chase heavy sweet oil amid Iran war disruptions

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Published21 APR 26 - 10:03 Reading time minutes

“As refineries are running at lower intake due to shortage of medium sour crude from the Middle East, they will need to pull in heavier crude alternatives including sweet barrels that can support maintaining runs.”

Reuters, April 21, 2026 – June Goh (Senior Oil Analyst, Sparta) highlights the structural squeeze on heavy sweet crude as refineries competing with marine fuel blenders for limited supplies divert barrels to offset Mideast disruptions. China’s Dar Blend imports surged to 300,000+ metric tons monthly from zero in February. Traders should monitor refinery intake decisions and watch whether blenders shift to unconventional feedstocks—a signal that blendstock shortages are becoming severe enough to risk fuel quality issues and potential engine damage claims.

Read the full article here.

Author

June Goh

Senior Oil Market Analyst

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