Peru's Bretaña crude oil, a unique heavy sweet crude with low metal content, is gaining traction in the U.S. as refiners seek substitutes for declining Mexican heavy crude supplies. The first shipment to the U.S. Gulf Coast arrived this month, marking a significant step for this niche oil in the international market.
A unique journey from the Amazon to the Gulf Coast
Bretaña crude is produced in the Peruvian Amazon and transported via barges along the Amazon River to Brazil, where it is loaded onto larger vessels for export. Recently, the tanker Radiant Pride delivered approximately 300,000 barrels of Bretaña crude from Manaus, Brazil, to Houston on January 2. The cargo, reportedly purchased by Shell, underscores growing interest in this grade of oil.
Filling the gap left by mexican crude
The surge in Bretaña’s popularity coincides with a sharp decline in U.S. imports of Mexican heavy sour crude, which hit record lows in 2024 due to reduced production and higher domestic refining in Mexico. U.S. refiners, including Marathon Petroleum and PBF Energy, have already started integrating Bretaña crude into their operations.
PetroTal corp: the producer behind Bretaña
Bretaña crude is produced by PetroTal Corp at Block 95 in the Peruvian Amazon, a site acquired in 2017 from Gran Tierra Energy. Currently, the field produces around 20,000 barrels per day, with 90% of the output exported. The remainder is transported to Petroperu’s refinery in Iquitos, Reuters published.
However, challenges such as pipeline disruptions, spills, and social conflicts have limited the full potential of Bretaña crude. From 2022 to 2024, these issues temporarily halted exports. PetroTal is working with Petroperu to secure better access to the pipeline, which would streamline transportation and reduce dependency on barges.
Future prospects and limitations
While PetroTal aims to ramp up production, factors such as permitting delays and infrastructure reliance pose challenges. Petroperu has initiated negotiations with producers to enable fair pipeline access and ensure sustainable operations. Meanwhile, Houston-based Novum Energy handles Bretaña’s export logistics under an exclusive contract.
Bretaña crude’s rise reflects its growing importance as a reliable alternative in the global oil market. With strategic improvements, it could become a cornerstone of U.S. energy imports in the years ahead.
