Argus Asia-Pacific Crude Oil Forward Curves
Overview
Argus Asia-Pacific Crude Oil Forward Curves is a daily data service providing independent forward price assessments for eight crude grades across Asia-Pacific. It delivers modelled current values as outright prices and differentials — across 54 forward months, 17 quarters and four forward calendar years — enabling precise risk management, hedging and investment decisions.
At a glance
- Daily assessments for eight Asia-Pacific crude grades.
- Covers 54 months, 17 quarters and four calendar years.
- Includes Brent, Dubai, Oman, Murban and ESPO Blend.
- Timestamped at 16:30 Singapore time each day.
- Enables trading, hedging and risk management decisions.
- Delivered via data feed, API, Argus Direct® and more.
Speak to a specialist
Key features
Daily price assessments
Forward price assessments for eight Asia-Pacific crude grades are published every business day, providing monthly, quarterly and yearly granularity across the full forward curve.
Broad grade coverage
Covers Brent futures, Brent swaps, Dubai, Oman, Basrah Medium, Murban, Upper Zakum, ESPO Blend and the Argus Japanese Crude Cocktail Index (Argus JCC), spanning the key benchmarks of the Asia-Pacific crude market.
Outrights and differentials
Prices published in $/bl as outright values, differentials to ICE Brent (Singapore close) and differentials to other crudes, providing flexible benchmarking for trading and risk management.
Singapore timestamp
All assessments are timestamped at 16:30 Singapore time, aligned with Argus' physical settlement price assessments for consistent and market-representative data.
Robust methodology
Argus forward prices are derived from a regression analysis of benchmark crude grades, adjusted to reflect Japan's varying crude import slate, and published for 47 forward months.
Flexible delivery options
Access data via data feed, third-party channel partners, Argus Direct® client portal or email, integrating seamlessly into existing risk management and analytical workflows.
How Argus assesses Asia-Pacific crude oil forward curves
- Source data and market inputs
Forward curves use current and historical data, including traded market information and Argus price assessments, all subject to rigorous quality and relevance checks.
- Forward curve production
Price spreads to more liquid markets and time periods are used to fill gaps in the forward curve where market information or Argus price assessments are unavailable.
- Consistency and adjustment
Argus produces zero-arbitrage forward curves, ensuring strip prices always equal the average of their component periods. Abnormally large day-on-day changes are investigated and confirmed or revised by analysts.
- Validation and oversight
All models undergo continual review, including an evaluation of conceptual soundness, ongoing monitoring and outcome analysis to ensure representative pricing.
- Corrections
Corrections are issued for clerical errors, calculation mistakes or misapplication of methodology. Published forward curve prices are not retroactively changed based on new information.
Who uses this service
Risk managers
- Use forward curve data for mark-to-market accounting and daily profit and loss assessments.
- Validate internal curves against unbiased, independent third-party assessments.
- Support value-at-risk and potential future exposure calculations across crude positions.
Traders and trade analysts
- Reference prior-day forward curves when entering the market each morning.
- Identify locational and temporal spread relationships using historical curve data.
- Benchmark crude grade values across the Asia-Pacific region.
Refineries
- Use forward curves to inform hedging decisions when securing crude oil supplies.
- Analyse refinery margins to support operational and procurement planning.
- Assess crude grade value differentials to optimise feedstock selection.
Exploration and production companies
- Determine fiscal year commitments using Asia-Pacific crude forward curve data.
- Assess exposure across key crude grades and time horizons.
- Support budget planning with reliable, independent price outlooks.
Frequently asked questions
Key price assessments
Argus prices are recognised by the market as trusted and reliable indicators of the real market value. Explore some of our most widely used and relevant price assessments.