10:59 - 18.03.2026

---

March 18, Fineko/abc.az. The prices of Kazakhstani oil CPC Blend and Azeri BTC have risen sharply this month, ABC.AZ reports, referring to traders.

The shortage of supply associated with the war with Iran led to the fact that premiums at the oil market in the Mediterranean significantly exceeded the indicators of Brent.

In Europe, prices for oil and petroleum products have also been growing since the beginning of the month. Reuters reports that the reason for this is the oil refining industry's search for alternatives to regional brands to maintain stable fuel production amid disruptions in the Middle East.

In recent months, CPC Blend and Azeri BTC supplies have been mainly focused on the Mediterranean and Europe, due to the geographical proximity and demand of these varieties by European plants.

According to market sources, last week batches of CPC Blend shipped in March-April traded at a premium of $ 1-2 per barrel to Brent. This means a trend reversal compared to the previous period, when the discount was up to $5 per barrel.