Argentina is to receive two tankers carrying 3 million barrels of Nigerian and Angolan crudes to feed its domestic refining network, pushing the country’s imports close to 2015 level.

According to data from Thomson Reuters, Argentina in 2015 received about six million barrels of imported crude, typically African medium and light grades bought by independent refiners on the open market. This year’s shipment is about 5.8 million barrels.

Argentina mostly produces heavy crude that several of its refineries cannot process, and needs lighter oil to convert into gasoline and diesel. The country’s crude output remained at last year’s levels of around 530,000 barrels per day, Hellenic Shipping reports.

The very large crude carrier (VLCC) New Vanguard hired by Royal Dutch Shell and loaded with 2 million barrels of Angola's Nemba crude and Nigeria's Bonny Light crude is expected to be received in Argentina this month. A smaller cargo loaded with 1 million barrels of Nigerian crude is also expected this month, a government source said, not giving further details about the sellers, buyers or the specific grade.

Anita Fatunji