PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Iraqi High‑Sulfur Fuel Oil
HSFO 180 and 380 cSt for power, industry and refinery feedstock, and residual marine fuel to ISO 8217, sourced in bulk from Iraqi refineries.
- Grades
- HSFO 180 · HSFO 380
RMG 380 · RMK 500 - Supply
- Bulk by vessel
Road tanker - Terms
- Sea: FOB · CFR · CIF
Road: FCA · CPT · DAP
OVERVIEW
Iraqi High-Sulfur Fuel Oil Supply
High-sulfur fuel oil is the heavy residue left after crude oil is distilled and the lighter fuels are removed. Iraqi crude streams are sulfur-rich, so fuel oil produced from them typically carries high sulfur; the exact level depends on the refinery and blending. It is produced in large volumes. In Iraq it is widely known as naft aswad, or black oil.
Residual fuel oil is commonly marketed in nominal viscosity grades of 180 and 380 cSt at 50 °C, with actual specifications varying by supplier and intended use. It fuels power plants, boilers and kilns, serves as feedstock for refiners with conversion units, and, when it meets ISO 8217, is used as marine fuel by ships fitted with exhaust gas scrubbers.
Iraqi HSFO is sourced from private and independent refineries across the country, with larger cargoes from state refineries arranged through legally authorised supply, subject to SOMO’s terms and allocation. PETROXIUM works with these suppliers to match the grade, quantity and delivery terms to each enquiry.
SPECIFICATIONS
HSFO and Marine Fuel Specifications
Choose a grade. Fuel oil grades show typical values; marine grades show the limits of ISO 8217.
HSFO 180 cSt · Typical values · supplier specification
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic viscosity at 50 °C | ASTM D445 | cSt | ≤ 180 cSt |
| Density at 15 °C | ASTM D4052 | kg/m³ | ≤ 991 kg/m³ |
| Sulfur | ASTM D4294 | % wt | 3.0 – 4.0 % wt |
| Flash point (Pensky-Martens) | ASTM D93 | °C | ≥ 60 °C |
| Pour point | ASTM D97 | °C | ≤ 24 °C |
| Water | ASTM D95 | % vol | ≤ 0.5 % vol |
| Ash | ASTM D482 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Total sediment | ISO 10307-2 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Gross calorific value | ASTM D240 | kcal/kg | ≈ 10,000 kcal/kg |
HSFO 380 cSt · Typical values · supplier specification
| Property | Test method | Unit | Typical value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic viscosity at 50 °C | ASTM D445 | cSt | ≤ 380 cSt |
| Density at 15 °C | ASTM D4052 | kg/m³ | ≤ 991 kg/m³ |
| Sulfur | ASTM D4294 | % wt | 3.0 – 4.0 % wt |
| Flash point (Pensky-Martens) | ASTM D93 | °C | ≥ 60 °C |
| Pour point | ASTM D97 | °C | ≤ 24 °C |
| Water | ASTM D95 | % vol | ≤ 0.5 % vol |
| Ash | ASTM D482 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Total sediment | ISO 10307-2 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Gross calorific value | ASTM D240 | kcal/kg | ≈ 10,000 kcal/kg |
Marine fuel RMG 380 · Maximum and minimum limits · ISO 8217:2017 (edition agreed per contract, 2017 or 2024)
| Property | Test method | Unit | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic viscosity at 50 °C | ISO 3104 | mm²/s | ≤ 380 mm²/s |
| Density at 15 °C | ISO 12185 | kg/m³ | ≤ 991 kg/m³ |
| CCAI (ignition quality) | calculated | – | ≤ 870 |
| Sulfur | ISO 8754 | % wt | as agreed (up to 3.50) % wt |
| Flash point | ISO 2719 | °C | ≥ 60 °C |
| Total sediment, aged | ISO 10307-2 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Water | ISO 3733 | % vol | ≤ 0.50 % vol |
| Pour point | ISO 3016 | °C | ≤ 30 °C |
| Micro carbon residue | ISO 10370 | % wt | ≤ 18.00 % wt |
| Ash | ISO 6245 | % wt | ≤ 0.100 % wt |
| Vanadium | IP 501 | mg/kg | ≤ 350 mg/kg |
| Sodium | IP 501 | mg/kg | ≤ 100 mg/kg |
| Aluminium + silicon (catalyst fines) | IP 501 | mg/kg | ≤ 60 mg/kg |
| Acid number | ASTM D664 | mg KOH/g | ≤ 2.5 mg KOH/g |
Marine fuel RMK 500 · Maximum and minimum limits · ISO 8217:2017 (edition agreed per contract, 2017 or 2024)
| Property | Test method | Unit | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic viscosity at 50 °C | ISO 3104 | mm²/s | ≤ 500 mm²/s |
| Density at 15 °C | ISO 12185 | kg/m³ | ≤ 1010 kg/m³ |
| CCAI (ignition quality) | calculated | – | ≤ 870 |
| Sulfur | ISO 8754 | % wt | as agreed (up to 3.50) % wt |
| Flash point | ISO 2719 | °C | ≥ 60 °C |
| Total sediment, aged | ISO 10307-2 | % wt | ≤ 0.10 % wt |
| Water | ISO 3733 | % vol | ≤ 0.50 % vol |
| Pour point | ISO 3016 | °C | ≤ 30 °C |
| Micro carbon residue | ISO 10370 | % wt | ≤ 20.00 % wt |
| Ash | ISO 6245 | % wt | ≤ 0.150 % wt |
| Vanadium | IP 501 | mg/kg | ≤ 450 mg/kg |
| Sodium | IP 501 | mg/kg | ≤ 100 mg/kg |
| Aluminium + silicon (catalyst fines) | IP 501 | mg/kg | ≤ 60 mg/kg |
| Acid number | ASTM D664 | mg KOH/g | ≤ 2.5 mg KOH/g |
Fuel oil values are typical reference specifications; marine grades show the maximum and minimum limits of ISO 8217:2017 for the grade. Marine grades are supplied only where the cargo is tested and certified to ISO 8217; standard HSFO is not automatically suitable as bunker fuel. The final specification and acceptance criteria are agreed for each transaction and verified against the certificate of analysis for the cargo.
Product Availability and Quality
Iraqi HSFO specifications vary by refinery, production batch and blending. PETROXIUM works with suppliers to match each enquiry to the buyer’s required viscosity, sulfur content, density, quantity and destination. Final specifications and availability are subject to supplier confirmation, laboratory analysis and the agreed contract terms.
APPLICATIONS
Where Iraqi HSFO Is Used
These are the usual matches; the final grade follows the buyer’s equipment and specification.
Power Generation
The main use of HSFO worldwide: fuel for steam and diesel power plants across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.
HSFO 180HSFO 380Industrial Boilers and Furnaces
Steam raising and process heat for factories, refineries and large industrial plants with heated fuel systems.
HSFO 180HSFO 380Cement, Brick and Gypsum Kilns
Burner fuel for kilns and dryers, the traditional use of fuel oil, known in Iraq as black oil, in local industry.
HSFO 380Refinery Feedstock
Straight-run Iraqi fuel oil is bought by refiners who upgrade it into diesel and other products in their conversion units.
HSFO 380Straight-runMarine Bunker Supply
Residual marine fuel to ISO 8217 for ships fitted with exhaust gas scrubbers, supplied to bunker suppliers and traders.
RMG 380RMK 500Blending
A base component that traders blend with other streams to meet a buyer’s viscosity, density or sulfur target.
HSFO 180HSFO 380
DELIVERY AND LOADING
Bulk HSFO Supply and Transportation
HSFO is a bulk product. The grade and route are matched to your receiving facilities and market.
By Vessel
Cargoes loaded by tanker at Khor Al-Zubair or Umm Qasr, for export to refiners, power producers and bunker suppliers.
By Road Tanker
Insulated road tankers for regional buyers, delivered overland to neighbouring markets or to ports for onward shipping.
Handling at Destination
HSFO may need heated storage tanks, insulated transport and temperature-controlled pumping, depending on viscosity, climate and your receiving facilities. Tell us your set-up and we match the grade.
Export routes
By sea
Khor Al-Zubair and Umm Qasr
Vessel cargoes on FOB, CFR or CIF terms, subject to the agreed loading port, with quantity and quality certified at loading.
Overland to Jordan
Through Trebil to Aqaba
Road tankers to Jordanian buyers or to Aqaba for onward shipping, on FCA, CPT or DAP terms.
Overland to Turkey
Through Ibrahim Khalil
Road tankers to Turkish buyers, or to Mersin and the commercial terminals at Ceyhan, on FCA, CPT or DAP terms.
Routes, loading arrangements and delivery terms are confirmed for each enquiry according to grade, cargo size and destination.
QUALITY
Independent Inspection
Independent inspection is arranged at loading through companies such as SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas, as set out in the contract.
- Sampling at loadingSamples are drawn from shore tanks and the vessel or tankers being loaded.
- Laboratory testingTested against the agreed specification, or against ISO 8217 for marine grades.
- Certificates issuedQuality and quantity certificates are issued before the documents are released.
DOCUMENTS
Export Documentation
Documents are arranged according to the contract, shipment method and destination.
- Certificate of analysis
- Certificates of quality and quantity
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of lading or CMR
- Commercial invoice
HOW SOURCING WORKS
From Enquiry to Shipment
Send Your Requirement
Grade, quantity, delivery basis and destination.
We Check Supply
Availability and specification are confirmed with qualified Iraqi suppliers.
Offer and Contract
Terms are agreed and the contract is signed with the supplier.
Inspection and Shipment
Independent inspection at loading, then shipment as agreed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About HSFO
What is the difference between HSFO 180 and HSFO 380?
The number is the maximum kinematic viscosity in centistokes at 50 °C. HSFO 380 has a higher permitted viscosity than HSFO 180 and generally needs suitable fuel heating and handling systems. HSFO 180 is thinner and easier to handle, which suits smaller plants and buyers with limited heating facilities.
Can HSFO be used as ship fuel?
Since 2020, international rules limit ship fuel to 0.50% sulfur, unless the ship is fitted with an exhaust gas scrubber. Scrubber-fitted ships can burn high-sulfur fuel, so there is still a large market for residual marine fuel. Marine grades must meet ISO 8217, such as RMG 380 or RMK 500, and are supplied to bunker suppliers and traders.
What is “black oil” (naft aswad)?
In Iraq, fuel oil is widely known as naft aswad, or black oil. It is the same heavy, high-sulfur residual fuel oil described on this page, traditionally used in kilns, boilers and power plants.
Is Iraqi HSFO straight-run?
Much of Iraq’s fuel oil is straight-run residue from crude distillation, which refiners value as feedstock for their conversion units. Whether a cargo is straight-run or blended is stated in the offer and confirmed by analysis.
How is HSFO from state refineries supplied?
Iraqi HSFO is sourced from private and independent refineries across Iraq, with larger cargoes from state refineries arranged through legally authorised supply, subject to SOMO’s terms and allocation. Availability is confirmed for each enquiry.
What is the difference between HSFO and IHO?
IHO is a lighter fuel oil, often around 80–120 cSt, with properties set by the supplier specification. It is used in industrial burners and boilers and usually delivered by road tanker. HSFO is heavier, at 180 or 380 cSt, and traded mainly in bulk cargoes. See Industrial Heating Oil for the lighter grade.
RELATED PRODUCTS
