Rare Algerian oil shipment heads to European country for first time in 7 years

Saba Yemen

09-03-2025

Algeria - Saba:
A unique Algerian oil shipment has made its presence felt on the February 2025 export map, as it is the first in 7 years.
Exports of Algerian Saharan Blend crude oil recorded an increase last month, in a rebound from the level of exports last January, which was the lowest in more than two years.
According to the oil shipments database at the Energy Platform, Algerian crude exports increased by a third last month.
The export estimate came a few days after the disclosure of a huge shipment of up to one million barrels of Algerian crude to the largest refineries in Africa, for loading during the current month of March.
A rare Algerian oil shipment
Saharan Blend crude exports last February included a rare Algerian oil shipment to Ireland.
The rare shipment from Algeria to the European country is the first of its kind since June 2018, although the data did not detail the size of the shipment.
Total exports of Saharan Blend crude last month were about 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), up 31% month-on-month.
These volumes are up from January's exports of light sweet crude, which amounted to 341,000 bpd, the lowest since November 2022.
Overall, Algeria's oil exports increased by 7% in 2024, as it shipped 778,000 bpd of crude and derivatives by sea, up from 729,000 bpd the year before.
South Korea was the largest importer of Algerian seaborne shipments, with about 120,000 bpd, followed by France, with about 103,000 bpd.
Algerian Saharan Blend Crude Exports
The destination of Algerian Saharan Blend crude exports changed in February, with an increase to European and Asian markets, while shipments to the Americas decreased.
Europe and the Mediterranean
Algeria shipped 348,000 barrels per day of Saharan Blend crude to northwestern Europe and the Mediterranean, up 26% month-on-month.
France captured a third of the exports, with Algerian shipments recording 111,000 barrels per day.
In addition, a rare Algerian oil shipment to Ireland was added, according to shipping data monitored by Argus Media, an energy platform.
Asia-Pacific
During the past month, Saharan Blend crude exports to countries in Asia-Pacific increased by 86% month-on-month.
Exports averaged 72,000 barrels per day, following the loading of a shipment to South Korea containing 2 million barrels.
Americas
In contrast to higher shipments to Europe and Asia, Algerian crude exports to the Americas fell last month.
Exports reached 25,000 barrels per day, down 3%.