Thu Jul 31 23:28:52 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Pakistani refiner Cnergyico is set to import 1 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate crude oil from Vitol in October 2025. This marks Pakistan’s first purchase of U.S. crude oil, facilitated by a recent trade deal with the U.S. after President Trump threatened tariffs. The deal will help Pakistan diversify its oil sources away from the Middle East. The refiner is planning upgrades to increase capacity and is banking on increased domestic demand. The U.S. has also expressed interest in helping Pakistan develop its own oil reserves.
**News Article:**
**Pakistan to Import U.S. Crude Oil for the First Time, Diversifying Energy Sources**
**Karachi/Singapore – August 1, 2025** – Cnergyico, Pakistan’s largest oil refiner, announced today that it will import 1 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light crude oil from Vitol in October 2025. This historic purchase marks the first-ever import of U.S. crude oil by Pakistan, signifying a major shift in the country’s energy sourcing strategy.
The deal follows months of negotiations and comes in the wake of a trade agreement with the United States. This trade agreement happened after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on imports from Pakistan. “This is a test spot cargo under our umbrella term agreement with Vitol. If it is commercially viable and available, we could import at least one cargo per month,” said Usama Qureshi, Cnergyico’s vice chairman. He added that the shipment was not intended for resale.
Pakistan’s finance and petroleum ministries encouraged exploration of U.S. crude imports following the U.S. tariff announcement.
Oil is Pakistan’s largest import item, accounting for nearly a fifth of the country’s total import bill. The import deal will help Pakistan reduce its reliance on Middle Eastern suppliers, who currently provide the vast majority of its oil.
Cnergyico can process 156,000 barrels of crude per day and plans to expand its infrastructure with a second offshore terminal and refinery upgrades. The company anticipates increased demand for oil products in Pakistan and expects its refinery run rates to rise.
Adding to the positive outlook, President Trump stated that the U.S. would cooperate with Pakistan to develop the South Asian nation’s significant oil reserves, although details of this cooperation remain unclear.
First Piper 