Trump: Murban crude is the highest quality on the planet
US President Donald Trump concluded his whistle-stop tour of the Middle East with a two-day state visit to the UAE.
During his high-profile visit in Abu Dhabi, President Trump was presented with a capsule of Murban crude, one of the highest-grade domestically produced oils in the world, during the UAE-US business dialogue.
What began as a symbolic gift quickly turned into a viral moment online, as President Trump quipped with characteristic flair: “The highest-quality oil there is on the planet, and they only gave me a drop of it. So, I’m not thrilled. But it’s better than no drop.”
Standing across from him, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, responded with a nod to Murban’s strategic importance: “This has become a globally recognised benchmark.”
Produced from the UAE’s vast oil and gas reserves, the sixth largest in the world, Murban crude is a light sweet crude oil produced by ADNOC to meet the growing global demand for quality and reliable oil supply. It accounts for around 2 million barrels per day, making it the company’s largest crude stream by volume.
Murban crude was discovered at the Murban Bab Oil Field in 1958. The well, called Murban-3, began producing 3,674 barrels per day of crude oil upon its completion in 1960. It possesses an API gravity of 40 and a sulfur content of 0.778.
More than just a premium product, Murban is at the center of the UAE’s push to reshape regional energy markets. Designed to offer greater transparency, flexibility, and global accessibility, Murban has become especially attractive to Asian markets. According to S&P, nearly 75% of Murban exports are shipped via Fujairah port, with the remainder leaving through the Jebel Dhanna port in Ruwais.
In a recent report, the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies noted that while establishing a new oil benchmark in the Middle East comes with challenges, Murban’s rise represents a fundamental shift toward dynamic pricing mechanisms in a region traditionally dominated by long-term contracts and opaque pricing models.
The moment between Trump and H.E. Dr Al Jaber was more than just a light-hearted exchange. It underscored Murban’s symbolic and strategic value — positioning the UAE not only as a major oil producer but also as a market-maker in the evolving global energy landscape.
