Introduction — Crude Oil Transactions Fail Because Buyers Don’t Know the Required Documents

Most Crude Oil buyers fail because they do not understand the institutional documentation required for:

• compliance

• due diligence

• pipeline access

• export authorization

• vessel loading

• proof of product (POP)

• legal chain-of-title

Fake sellers exploit this ignorance by providing:

❌ recycled PDF
❌ fictional “terminal receipts”
❌ fake SGS reports
❌ forged ATC
❌ meaningless certificates

This guide gives the real list of the 10 indispensable documents required in ANY legitimate crude deal, whether Bonny Light, Basrah, ESPO, Forcados, Arab Light, Urals, or other grades.

SECTION 1 — Understanding Why These 10 Documents Are Non-Negotiable

1.1 Crude Oil is government-regulated, not “commercially stored”

Crude always passes through:

• Pipeline networks

• NOC export terminals

• Government allocation systems

• Authorized loading points

Therefore, every movement of crude generates official documents.

1.2 Real sellers always produce verifiable documents

These documents include:

• serial numbers

• terminal codes

• batch IDs

• QR codes

• export authorization signatures

• pipeline timestamps

Fake sellers cannot replicate this.

1.3 Without these 10 documents, no refinery or trader will accept a deal

Even buyers with:

• SBLC MT760

• MT700 LC

• MT799 RWA

• Cash

…are rejected if the seller cannot provide these documents.

SECTION 2 — The 10 Mandatory Documents for Any Real Crude Oil Transaction

Below is the definitive list required in every legitimate Crude transaction worldwide.

1️⃣ DTA – Dip Test Authorization (if applicable)

Used only when crude is stored in specific terminals (Cushing, Saldanha, Fujairah).

Purpose:

• Authorizes independent inspection

• Allows SGS/Intertek to conduct dip test

• Confirms product accessibility

In Crude Oil, DTA is less common than refined products, but exists in some jurisdictions.

2️⃣ TSR – Tank Storage Receipt (rare for Crude)

Issued by a terminal operator when crude is stored in a tank.

Must include:

• Tank number

• API gravity

• Volume

• Terminal stamps

• Batch history

Crude is mostly pipeline-based, so TSR is rare but highly valuable.

3️⃣ SGS / Intertek / Bureau Veritas Q&Q Report

The most critical quality document.

Includes:

• API gravity

• Sulfur

• Density

• Water content

• Pour point

• Flash point

• BS&W

• Terminal location

• Date & time

• Inspector signature

Fake sellers ALWAYS fail on real SGS verification.

4️⃣ ATC – Authority To Load

The most powerful POP document.

Issued by:

• NOC

• Ministry of Petroleum

• Terminal authority

It confirms:

• Seller has a real loading slot

• Crude is approved for export

• Terminal is preparing for vessel nomination

If a seller cannot show ATC → There is no crude.

5️⃣ CPA – Commercial Purchase Agreement (SPA)

Legally binding contract defining:

• Price

• Incoterms (FOB/CIF/TTT)

• Volume & lifting program

• Payment method (MT103/MT700/MT760)

• Delivery conditions

• Timeline

• Penalties

No SPA = no contract = no legitimacy.

6️⃣ Allocation / Export License

Issued by:

• Government

• NOC

• Ministry

• Official export authority

Includes:

• Allocation number

• Volume

• Grade

• Lifting schedule

Fake sellers NEVER provide real allocation IDs.

7️⃣ Pipeline Injection Receipt (Critical for Pipeline-based Crude)

100% verifiable document.

Shows:

• Batch injection

• Volume

• Pipeline route

• Timestamp

• Terminal

• Authorization number

This is the strongest evidence that the crude physically exists.

8️⃣ Certificate of Origin

Issued by:

• Chamber of Commerce

• Export authority

• Terminal operator

Confirms:

• Country of production

• Grade of crude

• Export legitimacy

A must-have for customs and refinery acceptance.

9️⃣ Cargo Manifest / Vessel Nomination

Issued by:

• Terminal

• Shipping agent

• NOC

Contains:

• Vessel name

• IMO number

• Draft

• Cargo type

• Volume

• Loading date

Fake sellers ALWAYS avoid showing vessel nomination.

🔟 Bill of Lading (B/L) – AFTER Loading Only

A pre-loading B/L = 100% fake.

Real B/L includes:

• Vessel name

• IMO number

• Volume loaded

• Loading terminal

• Date/time

• Master’s signature

Once B/L is issued → the product officially exists on board.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Professional Analysis: How We Authenticate These Documents

NNRV performs 11 levels of verification:

1. Validate serial numbers

2. Contact terminal operator

3. Verify pipeline batch in national registry

4. Confirm allocation with NOC

5. SGS report authentication

6. Confirm export license legitimacy

7. Vessel & IMO tracking

8. Porthole verification

9. Compliance officer cross-check

10. Sanctions screening

11. Verification via government API (where applicable)

No fraud, no improvisation — pure institutional verification.

SECTION 4 — Step-by-Step Document Timeline (Real Procedure)

STEP 1 — ICPO + KYC + Company Profile

STEP 2 — Seller issues SCO + SPA draft

STEP 3 — SPA signing

Defines all documents & procedures.

STEP 4 — Buyer’s bank sends MT799

STEP 5 — Seller confirms terminal allocation + export schedule

STEP 6 — Buyer issues MT760 or MT700

STEP 7 — Seller releases the 10 documents (POP)

Via a secure data room.

STEP 8 — SGS / Intertek inspection

STEP 9 — Vessel loading + B/L issuance

STEP 10 — MT103 payment + final commercial release

This is the true institutional workflow used by NOCs and terminals.

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

10 Buyer Questions

1. Is TSR always mandatory? → No, crude is often in pipeline.

2. Is ATC the strongest POP? → Yes.

3. Can allocation be verified? → Yes via NNRV.

4. Can seller show POP before MT799? → No.

5. Who pays SGS? → Buyer.

6. Do discounts exist? → Not in crude.

7. Can we inspect pipeline? → Never.

8. Is MT103 acceptable? → Only for small parcels.

9. How to detect fake ATC? → Missing batch ID & QR code.

10. Does crude require VAT/customs? → Depends on port.

10 Seller Questions

1. How to filter fake buyers? → Require MT799.

2. When to release the 10 documents? → After MT760.

3. Should seller issue TSR? → Only if stored.

4. Who issues Certificate of Origin? → Chamber/NOC.

5. When does B/L appear? → After loading.

6. Do intermediaries receive documents? → Only via LOA.

7. Is WhatsApp safe? → No.

8. When does inspection occur? → Before loading.

9. Can crude be shipped CIF? → Yes with proper insurance.

10. Who drafts CPA? → Seller’s legal team.

SECTION 6 — Why These 10 Documents Are Required Globally

These documents are mandatory due to:

• ICC Incoterms 2020

• ISO 8217 & API gravity standards

• OFAC/EU sanctions

• NOC export regulations

• Pipeline governance rules

• SGS/Intertek global protocols

• SWIFT MT700/760 banking rules

Any seller who does not follow this is not operating legally.

SECTION 7 — CTA: Professional Assistance by NNRV

📌 Need to verify crude documents, POP, allocation or pipeline receipts?

NNRV Trade Partners provides:

• Full POP authentication

• Crude document verification (SGS, ATC, TSR, allocation)

• Pipeline injection validation

• SWIFT compliance supervision

• Contract (CPA/SPA) review

• Due diligence for buyers & sellers

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

Operate like a refinery.
Not like a broker chain.

Mini FAQ (5 Quick Answers)

1. Are these 10 documents universal?
   Yes, globally recognized.

2. Which is the strongest POP?
   ATC + Pipeline Injection Receipt.

3. Can sellers fake these documents?
   Yes—NNRV verifies them.

4. Can these be checked with authorities?
   Most can be authenticated directly.

5. Should buyers rely only on PDFs?
   Never—only institutional verification counts.