How does a crude oil trading ‘TTO’ procedure work?

Millions of barrels of crude oil are traded every day around the world, worth billions of dollars. To manage and standardize this type of turnover, we need very precise and defined procedures and processes that leave very little room for ambiguity. These procedures play a very important role in facilitating the deal and sometimes also help weed out non-serious players in the deal.

Each provider may establish a different set of terms and conditions that should be carefully considered before proceeding with compliance. Any deal without a 2% return guarantee should be avoided to be on the safe side. In general, these procedures are developed with the objective of

a) eliminate non-serious or fraudulent players,
(b) establish precise trading conditions that define the stages of change in ownership and the responsibilities of each party involved,
c) help each party to secure their interest in the deal and
d) Minimizes and manages noncompliance.

Later in this article we will briefly discuss the “TTO” procedure and how it works.

Through Transport Operator (TTO)

  • A Purchase-Sale Contract (SPC) is signed between the two parties involved with the coordination of the Banks.
  • The buyer’s bank sends a notice LC to the seller’s bank.
  • Upon receipt of a prior notice LC, the seller’s bank activates the performance bond or performance bond based on the agreed SPC.
  • Once the performance bond is active, the buyer can proceed with the establishment of the Operating Letter of Credit. Any commission costs to agents or facilitators must be included in this operating letter of credit.
  • Within 72 hours of receipt of such operative LC, the seller issues ATBs to independent inspectors designated by the buyer.
  • With the ATB inspectors can come on board and conduct their inspection and report back to the buyer.
  • After receiving a positive Q&Q report from the inspector, the cargo reallocation is done in the name of the buyer and all original documents are delivered to the buyer through the banks involved within the next 4 days . From this moment, ownership of the cargo is transferred to the buyer.
  • Buyer’s supercargo ships within three days of title change.
  • Last but not least, payments are transferred to all parties involved within the next 72 hours.

I hope you found the above informative and helpful.

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