The name "Brent" comes from the naming policy of Shell UK Exploration and Production, operating on behalf of Exxon and Shell, which originally named all of its fields after birds (in this case the Brent Goose).
Brent Crude is sourced from the North Sea. The Brent Crude oil marker is also known as Brent Blend, London Brent and Brent petroleum. It is used to price two thirds of the world's internationally traded crude oil supplies. Brent Crude is the biggest of the many major classifications of oil consisting of Brent Crude, Brent Sweet Light Crude, Oseberg, Ecofisk and Forties.
The other well-known classifications (also called references or benchmarks) are the OPEC Reference Basket, Dubai Crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI).
Oil production from Europe, Africa and the Middle East flowing to the West tends to be priced relative to this oil, i.e. it forms a benchmark. However, large parts of Europe now receive their oil from the former Soviet Union, especially from Russia.



Editor: Chiara OLDANI
© 2009 ASSONEBB