Saudi Aramco Makes First Purchase of U.S. WTI Midland Crude, Expanding Its Trading Operations
January 26, 2025
11:56 AM
Reading time: 4 minutes

Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has made a significant move in the global energy market by purchasing its first cargo of U.S. WTI Midland crude. The deal was struck this week through the Platts window with commodity trader Gunvor, marking a key step in Aramco’s push to expand its trading business.
This marks a major milestone for the oil giant, which has previously sold WTI crude but has now entered into buying it for the first time. This shift highlights Aramco’s growing involvement in the global crude trading market, a strategic move expected to intensify over time, according to industry experts.
WTI Midland, a grade of crude oil produced in Texas, has become increasingly popular since it was included in the Dated Brent benchmark in June 2023. The inclusion of WTI Midland in this influential benchmark has boosted its status, aligning it alongside other well-known grades such as Brent, Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk, and Troll—crudes primarily sourced from the North Sea.
Dated Brent is a critical price reference, with Brent pricing serving as the benchmark for about 80% of global crude oil traded. As WTI Midland gains prominence, Saudi Aramco’s move to purchase this grade signals its growing influence in the crude trading landscape.
Saudi Aramco's Strategy and Market Growth
Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, highlighted that global oil demand is expected to grow by 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, following steady demand growth in 2024. Saudi Aramco's optimism about the future of the oil market reflects an overall positive outlook, with expectations of continued growth in demand for oil.
As Saudi Arabia’s national oil company, Aramco’s influence in the oil market is pivotal, and its shift toward deeper involvement in global crude trading signals a larger strategy to diversify its operations and strengthen its position in the market.
In a related shift in the energy sector, the Trump administration has placed a freeze on the Department of Energy's (DOE) activities, reviewing its alignment with the administration’s priorities. The freeze includes grants, loans, procurement, and personnel decisions, affecting a $50 billion budget. This move also targets Biden-era climate policies, halting clean energy initiatives such as nuclear waste cleanup and emergency crude reserves maintenance.
With a clear focus on fossil fuel priorities, Trump’s energy strategy contrasts sharply with the Biden administration’s focus on clean energy, prompting critics to warn that these changes could jeopardize long-term energy security.
The DOE's freeze follows similar actions from the Interior Department, halting leases for wind and solar projects on federal lands and waters. Critics argue that this regulatory shift favors fossil fuel development at the expense of renewable energy advancements.
While the Trump administration’s energy strategy prioritizes U.S. energy independence, it faces complex global oil dynamics and opposition from various sectors. Saudi Aramco’s increasing role in the trading market and the freeze on clean energy investments in the U.S. both reflect the evolving landscape of the global energy market.