Abu Dhabi National Oil Co is said to have sold at least 12 million barrels of spot crude to Asian refiners and trading firms in its seventh tender, with cargoes fetching premiums. The reported outcome points to firm demand for Middle Eastern crude in the spot market.
The sale came as renewed US-Iran hostilities disrupted supplies and added pressure to oil trade flows. That backdrop appears to have supported stronger pricing, with buyers willing to pay above benchmark levels to secure barrels.
Asian refiners are closely exposed to changes in regional crude availability, so disruptions in nearby supply routes can quickly affect tender interest and pricing. Trading firms also tend to step in when volatility rises, helping keep competition elevated in large spot sales.
The latest tender result suggests geopolitical risk is continuing to shape crude purchasing decisions across Asia. For Adnoc, selling volumes at premiums indicates that market conditions remain supportive for spot exports even as supply concerns ripple through the region.
