A general view of the Tesoro refinery in Carson, California February 2, 2015. REUTERS/Bob Riha, Jr.
Bloomberg: Oil World Turns Upside Down as U.S. Sells Oil in Middle East
* Cargo said to be condensate meant for Abu Dhabi’s splitters
* U.S. exported about 700,000 barrels to U.A.E.: Census Bureau
The United Arab Emirates, a model Persian Gulf petro-state where endless billions from crude exports feed a giant sovereign wealth fund, isn’t the most obvious customer for Texan oil.
Yet, in a trade that illustrates how the rise of the American shale industry is upending energy markets across the globe, the U.A.E. bought oil directly from the U.S. in December, according to data from the federal government. A tanker sailed from Houston and arrived in the Persian Gulf last month.
The cargo of American condensate, a type of very light crude oil, was preferred to regional grades because its superior quality made more suitable for the U.A.E’s processing plants, a person with knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing a commercially sensitive matter.
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WNU Editor: I did a double-take when I read this story. It is just one more sign on how U.S. technical and engineering capabilities can completely upset the economic status quo.
