◈ WTI (West Texas Intermediate) is the US benchmark crude · Delivered at Cushing, Oklahoma · Light sweet crude: API 39.6, sulphur 0.24%
About WTI Crude · USA
WTI (West Texas Intermediate) is the primary US crude oil benchmark and one of the three major global oil price benchmarks alongside Brent and Dubai Crude. It is a light, sweet crude with API gravity of 39.6 and 0.24% sulphur content, making it ideal for gasoline refining.
WTI is priced at Cushing, Oklahoma, a major pipeline hub. US shale production (Permian Basin, Eagle Ford) has made the US the world's largest oil producer, directly affecting WTI supply and the Brent/WTI spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WTI crude oil? +
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a grade of light, sweet crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing. It is extracted primarily from US shale plays and priced at Cushing, Oklahoma.
Why is Brent more expensive than WTI? +
Brent crude is the global benchmark for seaborne oil. WTI is landlocked at Cushing, Oklahoma, which can cause inventory build-ups and a discount to Brent. The spread typically ranges from $1-5/bbl.
What drives WTI oil prices? +
OPEC+ production quotas, US shale output, EIA weekly inventory reports, USD strength, and geopolitical risk (Middle East, Russia) are the primary drivers. China demand is the largest demand-side variable.
What is the EIA report? +
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases weekly crude inventory data every Wednesday. A large build in inventories is bearish for WTI; a large draw is bullish.
Oil Market Analysis - USA (March 2026)
WTI crude oil prices in March 2026 are navigating a complex landscape of Middle East geopolitics, OPEC+ production decisions, and US shale output. The Cushing, Oklahoma delivery hub remains the benchmark for WTI pricing, with US strategic petroleum reserves at historically low levels. EIA data shows US crude production has plateaued near 13.2 million barrels per day, while demand remains robust driven by petrochemical feedstock and jet fuel recovery. The spread between WTI and Brent has narrowed in Q1 2026 as US export capacity has expanded.