Comparison
How physical oil deals actually close.
And where OilFlow fits.
Physical oil worldwide gets done one of four ways: through broker chains, through WhatsApp groups, through Tier-1 trading houses, or through OilFlow. Here is the straight comparison, feature by feature — covering all 79 non-sanctioned jurisdictions we serve, with deepest counterparty density today across Pakistan, Gulf, East Africa, and SE Asia.
| Dimension | OilFlow Network | Broker chain | WhatsApp groups | Tier-1 trading house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-step KYC on every counterparty | Required before any match | Depends on broker's discretion | No verification layer | Internal compliance teams |
| Sanctions screening (OFAC + UN + EU + UK) | Usually at LC stage only | |||
| Country-specific regulatory check | 79 countries codified | Broker's memory | ||
| Scam pattern detection (Virgin D2, ICPO, etc.) | 7-pattern automated flagging | Experienced brokers only | ||
| Open to independent / mid-market traders | Free trader membership | Typically $10M+ term only | ||
| Broker commissions protected (non-circumvention) | 36-mo NCNDA + monitor | NCNDA enforcement varies | ||
| Multi-broker commission splits | Codified pre-deal, auto-paid | Manual negotiation | ||
| Partner bank LC routing | Coordination workflow built; partner-bank MOUs in negotiation | Buyer's own bank | ||
| Contract drafting (NCNDA, LOI, SPA) | Auto-drafted, DRAFT label | Template varies | ||
| DocuSign e-signature integrated | ||||
| Inspection agency integration | SGS/Intertek upload + AI-parse live; agency booking integration on roadmap | |||
| Dispute mediation (non-arbitration) | Platform-mediated, evidence kept | |||
| Custody of funds / cargo | We route, never hold | Some desks do | ||
| Transparent fee structure | 0.25%, $2.5K min, published | Per-barrel, negotiated | Spread-based, opaque | |
| Open to brokers (bring your book) | 3-tier partner program | It is the broker chain |
What we're not
OilFlow isn't for everyone. Here's where we don't fit.
Not a trading desk
We do not hold cargo or take proprietary positions. If you need a counterparty who owns the molecules, talk to Vitol, Trafigura, Glencore, Mercuria, or Gunvor. We connect verified counterparties — we don't replace them.
Not a bank
We don't issue, advise, or confirm LCs. We don't custody funds. We package the deal and route coordination to a partner bank once an MOU is in place. The bank does the banking.
Not an arbitrator
We mediate disputes. We do not bind outcomes — that stays with the arbitration clause in the signed SPA. Every AI-generated document ships as DRAFT pending independent legal counsel review.
Who we're for
Three specific profiles where the math works.
The mid-market refinery
PARCO, NRL, PRL, KPRL, EWURA-regulated East African OMCs, Bangladesh private IOCs. You need verified supply for corridor purchases that are too small for Vitol to care about. We price-match the broker chain with better counterparty verification.
The independent broker
You have a book. You lose 20-30% of deals to scams, discrepancies, or circumvention. OilFlow gives your book a verification layer and a legal backbone. You keep your per-barrel commission. Our fee is charged to the counterparty, not to you.
The trade-finance bank desk
Your clients come to you with unverified LC applications. We send pre-qualified files: sanctions screened, regulator-validated, KYC complete. Your credit committee spends less time on corridor files. First routing goes to listed partner banks.