Types of crude oil

PMI Comercio Internacional sells Maya, Istmo, Olmeca, Altamira, Talam and Zapoteco crude oils to the Americas, Europe, India, Middle East and Far East markets.

a) Maya

It is a heavy (21-22° API) and sour (approximately 3.4% sulfur by weight) crude oil, which produces lower gasoline and diesel yields in simple refining schemes when compared to lighter crudes. The loading ports for Maya are: i) Cayo Arcas and the FPSO Yùum K'ak Naab - both in open sea, off the coast of Ciudad del Carmen, in the State of Campeche; (ii) Dos Bocas, in the State of Tabasco; iii) Salina Cruz, in the State of Oaxaca; and i) Pajaritos, in the State of Veracruz. 

 

In order to maximize the economic value of this crude oil quality, its processing requires refineries with high-conversion units capable of transforming the heavy fraction (residue) of the crude oil into products with higher value for the refiner. Accordingly, PMI Comercio Internacional has signed long-term supply agreements with refiners who have high-conversion units so as to get the highest value for Maya.

 
b) Isthmus

It is a medium (32-33° API) and sour (approximately 1.8% sulfur by weight) crude oil with good gasoline and intermediate distillates (diesel and jet fuel/kerosene) yields. The loading ports for Istmo are: i) Dos Bocas, in the State of Tabasco; ii) Salina Cruz, in the State of Oaxaca; and iii) Pajaritos, in the state of Veracruz.

 

The highest economic value of this crude oil quality is achieved in refineries with FCC (Fluid Catalytic Cracker) units. Its quality is similar to Arab Light and Urals (Russia) crude oils.

 
c) Olmeca
It is a light (38-39° API) and sour (approximately 0.73-0.95% sulfur by weight) crude oil, which makes it suitable for producing lubricants and petrochemicals. The loading ports for Olmeca are: i) Pajaritos, in the state of Veracruz; and ii) Dos Bocas, in the State of Tabasco.
 
d) Altamira
It is a heavy (16-17.5° API) and sour (approximately 5.5% sulfur by weight) crude oil. Like the Maya quality, it provides lower gasoline and diesel yields in simple refining schemes when compared to lighter crudes. Its physicochemical characteristics make it suitable for producing asphalt. Altamira crude oil is exported from Terminal de Almacenamiento y Servicios Portuarios (TASP) Madero, in the State of Tamaulipas.

e) Talam
It is a heavy (15.8-16° API) and sour (approximately 4.5-4.76% sulfur by weight) crude oil. Like the Maya and Altamira qualities, it provides lower gasoline and diesel yields in simple refining schemes when compared to lighter crudes. Its physicochemical characteristics make it suitable for producing asphalt. Talam crude oil is exported from the FPSO Yùum K'ak Naabin open sea, off the coast of Ciudad del Carmen, in the State of Campeche.

f) Zapoteco
It is a medium (29-29.9° API) and sour (approximately 2.51% sulfur by weight) crude oil, with a viscosity of 18.9 CST at 122°F. Zapoteco crude oil is exported from Salina Cruz Maritime Terminal, in the State of Oaxaca.

Note: The information displayed herein corresponds to typical crude oil qualities, so they may vary.

 
 
Typical Qualities of Mexican Crude Oils
 

Crude-Oil Type
Maya
Isthmus
Olmeca
Altamira
​Talam

​Zapoteco

ºAPI (Gravity)
 
21.0-22.0
32.0-33.0
38.0-39.0
16-17.5
15.8-16.0
29.0-29.9​
VISCOSITY (SSU 100 ºF)

320
60​
38


​VISCOSITTY (CST °F)


​291.5
478​
​18.9
WATER AND SEDIMENTS
 (% vol.)
0.5
0.5
0.5
1.0
0.5
​0.5
SULPHUR (% weight)
 
3.4
1.8
0.73-0.95
5.5
​4.5-4.76
​2.51
Reid Vapor Pressure (lb/in2)
 
6.0
6.0
6.2
5.0
​-
​-


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