Basrah Medium crude among top OPEC gainers in May

Shafaq News-Baghdad

Iraq's BasrahMedium crude climbed $11.83 per barrel in May, reaching $120.22, up from$108.39 in April, according to the latest report from the Organization of thePetroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The graderanked among the sharpest monthly gainers in the OPEC reference basket, groupedalongside Arab Light, Iran Heavy, and Kuwait Export, which collectivelyaveraged a gain of $12.49 per barrel to reach $119.09 in May.

Theyear-to-date average for Basrah Medium stood at $95.34 per barrel, against afull-year average of $71.82 in 2025.

The OPECReference Basket (ORB) also rose in May, averaging $114.55 per barrel, up $5.49from $109.06 in April.

Not all crudesfollowed the upward trend. Algeria's Saharan Blend shed $24.40 per barrel,North Sea Dated fell $13.60, and Russia's Urals lost $11.54 over the sameperiod.

OPEC attributedthe divergence to global market volatility, supply-side pressures, uncertaintyover Middle East oil flows, and weaker demand in Asia and Europe.