Pakistan has taken a historic step by importing US crude oil for the first time. Cnergyico, the country’s largest oil refiner, confirmed the deal on Friday. Vice Chairman Usama Qureshi told Reuters that the company will bring in 1 million barrels from global energy trader Vitol this October.
The shipment of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light crude will be loaded in Houston later this month. It is expected to arrive at Karachi’s port in the second half of October. Qureshi called this a “test spot cargo” under a broader agreement signed with Vitol.
He clarified that the US crude oil import is not intended for resale. “If the cargo proves commercially successful and available, we may bring in one every month,” he said.
Talks began in April after former US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a steep 29% tariff on Pakistani exports. Following this, Pakistan’s finance and petroleum ministries advised domestic refineries to explore new options, including US crude oil import.
The new trade direction follows the recent US-Pakistan agreement hailed by Islamabad. The deal promises reduced tariffs and more investment, although no specific duty cuts were disclosed. The US is already Pakistan’s biggest export destination.
While China remains a close ally, Pakistan has shown growing interest in building stronger ties with Washington. It credited recent US diplomacy for easing tensions with India. Islamabad even nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.
US crude oil import offers Pakistan a chance to diversify. Until now, almost all of the country’s crude came from the Middle East. Qureshi said that refining this American oil requires no changes or blending at the facility. “Our gross refining margin is on par with Gulf grades,” he noted.
Cnergyico currently processes up to 156,000 barrels of crude each day. It also operates Pakistan’s only single-point mooring terminal near Karachi. This setup allows it to receive large oil tankers, giving it an edge over local rivals.
To expand capacity, the refiner plans to install a second offshore terminal. It will also upgrade its plant within five to six years. “This will allow us to handle larger volumes and more frequent imports,” Qureshi added.
At the moment, Cnergyico is operating at only 30-35% of its capacity due to low local demand. But the company is hopeful. “We expect domestic demand to grow,” said Qureshi, “and that will push us to run at higher rates. Local products will be preferred over imports.”
Oil remains Pakistan’s top import item. In the last fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the country spent $11.3 billion on petroleum products. That figure made up nearly 20% of the national import bill.
With the new US crude oil import, Pakistan hopes to reduce its dependence on Gulf countries and open new energy channels. Trump, meanwhile, said the US would also support Pakistan in developing its own massive oil reserves. However, he did not share further details.
