QatarEnergy has launched a tender to sell crude oil cargoes for July and August loading, marking what trade sources believe is its first sale since the Iran conflict disrupted regional shipping.
The state producer is offering Al-Shaheen, Marine Qatar and Marine Land crude grades, with buyers given the option to load directly or conduct ship-to-ship transfers between Fujairah and Sohar. The tender is scheduled to close on June 29.
The sale comes as Middle Eastern producers increase crude availability following heightened geopolitical tensions. Iraq’s state marketer SOMO, Kuwait Petroleum Corp and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co have all issued or completed crude tenders for July-loading cargoes in recent days.
Taiwan’s Formosa has already purchased two million barrels of Qatar’s Al-Shaheen crude this week, reflecting continued demand for the country’s export grades despite regional security concerns.
Separately, QatarEnergy is seeking to charter a Very Large Crude Carrier capable of transporting two million barrels of crude from Qatar to destinations in the Far East or India’s west coast, according to a shipping source, underscoring efforts to maintain export flows as Gulf oil supplies continue to rise.