Top 10 OPEC crude grades by price in December 2025  

Crude oil prices across Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)-linked grades declined in December 2025 as global market conditions tilted decisively toward weaker demand fundamentals.

While OPEC+ maintained output discipline, easing geopolitical risk premiums, improved non-OPEC supply flows, and seasonal demand moderation weighed on benchmark prices.

As a result, the OPEC Reference Basket (ORB) declined sharply, even as price differentials across member grades remained pronounced.

According to OPEC’s January report, the ORB fell by $2.72 per barrel month-on-month to average $61.74 per barrel in December 2025.

The broad-based decline spanned Atlantic Basin and Middle Eastern streams, underscoring the limits of supply management in offsetting softer global demand signals. Within this environment, crude quality, refinery compatibility, and logistics continued to shape relative pricing outcomes across OPEC producers.

Despite the general pullback, lighter and sweeter crudes remained more resilient, allowing some grades—including Nigeria’s Bonny Light—to retain upper-tier pricing positions.

Top 10 OPEC Crude Grades by December 2025 Price 

Basrah Medium (Iraq) – $60.90 

Basrah Medium recorded the lowest price among the reviewed grades, settling at $60.90 per barrel in December, down $2.96 month-on-month. Its heavier composition continued to attract discounts in a soft market environment. The grade averaged $69.05 per barrel in 2025, reflecting persistent pressure on heavier crudes despite elevated pricing earlier in the year.

Kuwait Export (Kuwait)-$61.19

Kuwait Export averaged $61.19 per barrel in December, posting the steepest monthly decline of $4.01. The sharper correction reflected both quality-related discounts and shifting refinery demand. Its 2025 annual average stood at $70.34 per barrel, trailing lighter OPEC peers.

Iran Heavy (Iran)-$61.84

Iran Heavy closed December at $61.84 per barrel, down $2.41 from November. Sanctions-related trading dynamics and heavier crude characteristics continued to weigh on the grade, which recorded a 2025 average of $69.50 per barrel, broadly aligned with other medium-to-heavy OPEC streams.

Dubai (UAE benchmark)-$61.99

Dubai crude settled at $61.99 per barrel, declining $2.47 month-on-month. As a regional benchmark, its pricing mirrored broader Middle East supply conditions. The grade averaged $69.38 per barrel in 2025, highlighting narrowing premiums as the year progressed.

Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea) – $62.69

Zafiro traded at $62.69 per barrel in December, down $1.75 from November. Its lighter quality helped cushion the decline relative to heavier grades. The crude posted a 2025 annual average of $70.23 per barrel, maintaining a modest premium within the OPEC basket.

Arab Light (Saudi Arabia)-$62.88

Arab Light averaged $62.88 per barrel in December, declining $3.32 month-on-month. While supported by Saudi Arabia’s pricing influence, the grade softened alongside broader Middle Eastern markets. Its 2025 average of $71.15 per barrel placed it among the stronger annual performers.

Murban(UAE) – $63.02

Murban settled at $63.02 per barrel in December, down $2.51 from November. Continued Asian refinery demand provided support, though not enough to offset wider market weakness. The grade recorded a 2025 average of $69.76 per barrel.

Sahara Blend (Algeria)-$63.44

Sahara Blend closed December at $63.44 per barrel, declining a modest $0.94 month-on-month—one of the smallest drops across OPEC-linked grades. Its light, sweet quality supported relative resilience. The grade averaged $69.70 per barrel in 2025, reinforcing Algeria’s positioning in the upper-middle tier of OPEC pricing.

Bonny Light (Nigeria)-$63.71

Bonny Light averaged $63.71 per barrel in December, down $1.05 from November, ranking among the highest-priced OPEC-linked grades. Strong refinery demand for its low sulphur content continued to underpin pricing.

However, its 2025 annual average of $69.97 per barrel remained below the Federal Government’s $75 per barrel budget benchmark, contributing to weaker oil revenue performance despite Nigeria’s projected N51.04 trillion in gross oil and gas revenue. This highlights Nigeria’s fiscal sensitivity (government revenue and budget planning) to global price movements, even with favourable crude quality.

Minas (Indonesia)-$67.20

Minas topped the December ranking at $67.20 per barrel, easing by just $0.20 month-on-month—the most resilient performance among the group.

Persistent demand for high-quality light crude supported its premium pricing. Minas averaged $72.58 per barrel in 2025, the highest among the listed grades, underscoring the sustained value of superior crude quality.