Pakistan Receives First-Ever Shipment of U.S. Crude Oil, Marking New Era in Energy Trade

Pakistan has received its first shipment of U.S. crude oil at Cnergyico’s offshore terminal in Balochistan a milestone for the nation’s energy diversification and trade ties with Washington.

Karachi, October 30, 2025 — Pakistan has received its first-ever shipment of crude oil from the United States, a development seen as a landmark in the country’s evolving energy landscape and expanding trade partnership with Washington.

The shipment arrived aboard the Suezmax class vessel MT Pegasus, docking at Cnergyico’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) terminal located off the coast of Balochistan. The SPM is the country’s only offshore crude-handling facility, designed to receive large capacity oil tankers safely and efficiently.

According to Cnergyico Pk Limited Vice Chairman Usama Qureshi, the delivery marks “an important milestone for Pakistan’s energy sector and for Cnergyico.” He said the company plans to receive two additional shipments of U.S. crude one in mid November and another in January 2026 with the three combined cargoes expected to improve Pakistan’s trade balance with the United States by approximately $200 million.

“These imports not only diversify Pakistan’s crude supply but also strengthen bilateral trade ties and contribute to the country’s long-term energy security,” Qureshi added.

The first shipment forms part of an earlier agreement with Vitol, a leading global energy trader, to supply 1 million barrels of U.S. crude. Cnergyico confirmed that the trial run was deemed commercially viable, paving the way for sustained imports in the coming months.

The company’s SPM terminal, located near Hub in Balochistan, enables direct offshore transfers from large crude carriers cutting logistics costs and improving refining efficiency.

The development also follows Cnergyico’s 2023 purchase of Pakistan’s first private-sector shipment of Russian crude, a deal made attractive by Moscow’s discounted oil pricing.

Analysts say the addition of U.S. crude to Pakistan’s import mix reflects a strategic shift toward supply diversification, reducing dependency on any single source while strengthening geopolitical and commercial ties with multiple partners.