Introduction — Why 99.9% of “Mandates” in the Crude Market Are Fake

Every day, traders receive emails and WhatsApp messages claiming:

• “I’m a direct mandate to NNPC.”

• “I represent Saudi Aramco.”

• “We have BLCO/SLCO/ESPO allocations.”

• “We control vessels.”

• “We have direct access to the terminal.”

In reality:

Real mandates in crude oil trading almost never speak to brokers.

They work only with:

• Refineries

• IOC traders

• Accredited off-takers

• Government-approved partners

• Institutional buyers

The crude market is extremely protected, and verifying a “mandate” requires understanding:

• allocation systems

• export procedures

• NOC (National Oil Company) policies

• terminal governance

• compliance & risk control

• documentation authenticity

This article explains exactly how to identify a real mandate directly connected to a crude source — and how to eliminate 99% of fake claims in minutes.

SECTION 1 — The Real Structure of Crude Oil Mandates (Institutional Reality)

1.1 Real mandates come only from official allocation channels

A REAL crude mandate is appointed by a National Oil Company (NOC) or by an international major:

• NNPC (Nigeria) → BLCO / Forcados

• Saudi Aramco → SLCO / Arab Light

• Iraq SOMO → Basrah / Kirkuk

• Kazakhstan KazMunayGas → CPC blend

• Russia Rosneft/Lukoil → ESPO / Urals

• Angola Sonangol → Plutonio / Girassol

A mandate MUST operate from inside a government-approved contract framework.

Anything outside this system is automatically fake.

1.2 Mandates represent allocation rights — not “free access to crude”

A real mandate has:

• legal authorization

• registered mandate ID

• contract execution rights

• verified relationship with the NOC

• access to internal verification systems

A fake mandate:

❌ claims direct access
❌ claims to “control tank”
❌ claims to “control vessels”
❌ claims off-record supply
❌ claims to bypass allocation queues

Buyers must understand:

👉 Mandates do not sell crude on WhatsApp.
👉 Mandates never pressure buyers.
👉 Mandates operate through official corporate channels only.

1.3 Real mandates never appear in broker chains

Institutional mandates ONLY interact with:

• refinery procurement directors

• accredited importers

• multinational traders

• compliance departments

If a “mandate” is speaking to more than one intermediary, it is automatically fake.

SECTION 2 — The 10 Institutional Criteria of a Real Crude Oil Mandate

The following signals can verify authenticity within minutes.

1️⃣ Official Mandate Appointment Letter (MAL)

Issued by:

• NNPC

• Aramco

• SOMO

• Sonangol

• Rosneft

• KazMunayGas

A real MAL includes:

• mandate ID

• reference number

• issuing department

• validity period

• authorized crude grades

• signature + seal

Fake MALs lack:

• registry number

• government stamp

• verification code

• consistent letter formatting

2️⃣ Presence in the NOC database

Real mandates are registered internally.

NNRV verification checks:

• mandate ID

• allocation rights

• history of deals

• validity period

• withdrawal history

Fake mandates fail this test instantly.

3️⃣ Direct communication using corporate email

Real mandates use:

• name@nnpcgroup.com

• name@somo.gov.iq

• name@aramco.com

• name@sonangol.co.ao

Fake mandates use:

❌ Gmail
❌ Yahoo
❌ Outlook
❌ ProtonMail
❌ “tradingconsultant@…”
❌ WhatsApp-only communication

4️⃣ Mandate must work under an existing contract allocation

Real mandates ALWAYS reference:

• allocation number

• export program

• crude lifting schedule

• shipment window

• cargo nomination process

Fake mandates:

• don’t know allocation procedures

• cannot explain lifting windows

• offer “unlimited crude”

5️⃣ They can produce verifiable Compliance Documents

A real mandate can authenticate:

• terminal allocation

• export license

• ATC (Authority To Load)

• pipeline injection records

• cargo nomination documents

A fake mandate cannot produce ANY real terminal-backed documents.

6️⃣ They NEVER provide POP (Proof of Product) before compliance

Real mandates require:

• ICPO

• KYC

• RWA / MT799 readiness

• TSA (if TTO/TTT)

POP before compliance = 100% fake.

7️⃣ They understand NOC legal restrictions

A real mandate can explain:

• export caps

• crude grade characteristics

• lifting cycles

• demurrage rules

• ATC issuance timeline

• documentation flow

Fake mandates:

❌ repeat generic words
❌ cannot answer technical questions
❌ confuse refined products with crude
❌ use retail-market terminology

8️⃣ They have internal access to terminal & allocation verification

Real mandates can confirm:

• tank availability

• cargo scheduling

• loading operations

• pipeline movement

• refinery acceptance

Fraudsters cannot.

9️⃣ They can issue official SCO + SPA templates

Real mandate SCOs/SPAs include:

• NOC signatures

• legal disclaimers

• ICC references

• SWIFT instructions

• loading port conditions

Fake SCOs contain:

• spelling errors

• unrealistic procedures

• “FOB TTT CIF unlimited supply”

• irrelevant terminology

🔟 They never negotiate procedures beyond NOC policy

Real mandates follow strict protocols.
Fake mandates negotiate anything to please buyers.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Expert Analysis: How We Verify a Crude Mandate in 7 Steps

NNRV uses a 7-step institutional screening matrix:

1. Verify mandate appointment letter (MAL)

Cross-check registry number + issuing authority.

2. Confirm mandate in NOC database

Official cross-verification.

3. Check mandate email domain

Corporate or non-corporate.

4. Validate allocation linkage

Real crude mandates are always tied to an allocation.

5. Inspect document sequence

POP, ATC, TSA, batch, injection receipt.

6. Test technical knowledge

Fake mandates fail on refining + pipeline + allocation questions.

7. Confirm communication structure

Real mandates work via corporate channels, not chat groups.

SECTION 4 — Step-by-Step Guide: How Buyers Should Screen a Mandate

Step 1 — Request corporate email

Instant filter.

Step 2 — Request proof of mandate (MAL)

Must be verifiable.

Step 3 — Ask for allocation number

Real mandates supply it immediately.

Step 4 — Request SPA template

Fake mandates cannot produce standard NOC contracts.

Step 5 — Verify through NNRV

Mandate verification takes 24–72 hours.

Step 6 — Proceed to ICPO/KYC

Only after mandate is verified.

Step 7 — Follow official NOC procedure

Crude = zero improvisation.

SECTION 5 — Buyer & Seller Questions (20 Professional Answers)

10 Buyer Questions

1. Can a mandate be private? → No.

2. Can mandates use Gmail? → No.

3. Do mandates negotiate price? → No — NOC sets price.

4. Can mandates provide DIP? → No — only after compliance.

5. Does mandate guarantee POP? → Only after bank readiness.

6. Can mandates issue ATC? → No — NOC/terminal does.

7. Should we pay upfront? → Never.

8. Can mandate represent multiple sellers? → No.

9. Does mandate have tank access? → Only if allocated.

10. Does mandate confirm vessel nomination? → With NOC approval only.

10 Seller Questions

1. Should I claim mandate status lightly? → No — serious liability.

2. Can I approach random buyers? → No.

3. Can I provide POP early? → Never.

4. Do mandates disclose internal contacts? → Only through verified channels.

5. Can mandate status expire? → Yes.

6. Do mandates receive commissions? → Yes, under strict IMFPA.

7. Must mandate sign NDAs? → Often required.

8. Should mandate share tank numbers? → After compliance only.

9. Can mandate bypass allocation? → Impossible.

10. Should mandate accept broker chains? → No.

SECTION 6 — Why Real Mandates Follow Strict Rules (Legal Framework)

Mandates operate under:

• NOC export regulations (NNPC, Aramco, SOMO…)

• Government anti-corruption policies

• Terminal & ISPS protocols

• ICC Incoterms 2020

• Basel III bank compliance

• International AML/KYC regulation

This environment makes fake mandates easy to expose.

SECTION 7 — Professional CTA

📌 Need to verify whether a crude seller or mandate is real?

NNRV Trade Partners offers:

• Mandate authentication

• Allocation verification

• POP/ATC legitimacy screening

• Terminal & pipeline verification

• SPA/SCO analysis

• Compliance-based buyer protections

📩 info@nnrvtradepartners.com
🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com

Real mandates are institutional.
Everything else is noise.

Mini FAQ (5 Quick Answers)

1. Can a real mandate appear on WhatsApp?
   Never as a first contact.

2. Can mandate show POP before TSA/SPA?
   Never.

3. What is strongest proof?
   MAL + allocation + corporate email.

4. Can allocation be checked?
   Yes — NNRV verifies internally.

5. How fast can NNRV validate a mandate?
   24–72 hours.