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FOB Transactions - Frequently Asked Questions

Direct Refinery Supply | FOB | Global Petroleum Derivatives Trading

 

Enerdealers operates under official Seller Mandate agreements, supplying petroleum derivatives directly from verified refineries. Our business model is built on transparency, procedural discipline, and long-term contractual supply relationships.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why work with Enerdealers?

  • Direct refinery mandate structure.

  • Strict procedural compliance.

  • Transparent due diligence process.

  • Long-term SPA framework.

  • CIF & FOB execution at global hubs.

  • Institutional-grade transaction structure.

We focus on secure, repeatable, and scalable petroleum supply solutions for serious End Buyers.

Where Are Enerdealers’ Refineries and Suppliers Located?

Enerdealers works with a diversified pool of refineries and petroleum product suppliers primarily based in:

  • Kazakhstan

  • Azerbaijan

  • Poland

  • Croatia

  • The Middle East

  • Africa

  • Latin America

Our strategic sourcing network ensures reliability, flexibility, and access to refined petroleum products aligned with international trading standards.

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What does Enerdealers offer?

​​

We supply petroleum derivatives directly from refineries under the following international trade terms:

CIF ASWP (Cost, Insurance & Freight – Any Safe World Port)

FOB (Free On Board)

  • TTT (Tank-to-Tank)

  • TTV (Tank-to-Vessel)

  • VTV (Vessel-to-Vessel)

 

Major International Delivery Hubs.

We operate at globally recognized energy trading ports including:

  • Rotterdam

  • Houston

  • Jurong

  • Fujairah

  • Qingdao

  • Shanghai

  • Aktau

  • Semey

and other strategic international ports.

 

How does Enerdealers work?​​

​​

Our transaction model connects End Buyers directly with End Suppliers, ensuring procedural clarity and risk mitigation.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Buyer confirms alignment with refinery procedure and logistics.

  2. Buyer submits:

    • LOI or official email from corporate address.

    • Company CIS (Client Information Sheet).

    • Signed Commitment Letter confirming price and procedure acceptance.

  3. Buyer is formally registered with the refinery.

  4. Refinery conducts due diligence.

  5. Upon approval, Buyer submits ICPO.

  6. Transaction progresses toward:

    • Trial lift.

    • 12-month SPA (Supply & Purchase Agreement).

    • Contract extensions and rollovers.

 

Enerdealers supports the Buyer throughout the full transaction cycle to ensure accuracy and smooth execution.

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What does “FOB” mean in these procedures?

 

FOB (Free On Board) means the product is already stored at the port terminal or onboard vessel.
The Buyer takes responsibility once the product is injected into Buyer’s tank or vessel and payment is completed.

The product is already positioned in port storage or vessel, on a first-come, first-served basis

Are the Seller procedures negotiable or modifiable?

​​

No.

Refinery procedures are strictly non-negotiable.
All steps must be followed exactly as issued by the Seller.

This ensures compliance, operational efficiency, and protection for all parties involved.

Because:

  • Product is already allocated.

  • Port Authority approvals follow strict compliance order.

  • Product assignment generates daily cost.

  • Injection scheduling involves third-party port, tank farm, SGS, and authorities.

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Who is authorized to order product?

Only the End Buyer is legally authorized to place an order.

The Buyer must submit:

  • LOI or corporate email

  • Company CIS

  • Signed Commitment Letter

  • Confirmation of selected procedure and price

 

Intermediaries cannot place orders on behalf of Buyers.

​​

Can the Buyer conduct Due Diligence on the Seller?

 

Yes.

Once Buyer documentation is received, Enerdealers introduces the Buyer directly to the Seller Mandate and shares Seller details for independent due diligence.

After Buyer's satisfactory review, the Buyer may issue:

  • ICPO

  • Commitment Letter

 

to formally initiate the transaction.

Transparency and verification are core pillars of our operating model.

When can the ICPO be submitted?

 

The ICPO may be submitted only after the Buyer has completed satisfactory due diligence on the Seller.

The ICPO must be addressed to the Seller Mandate for processing with refinery management.

Why must the Buyer issue an ICPO first?

 

The ICPO (Irrevocable Corporate Purchase Order):

  • Is a legally binding commitment.

  • Confirms Buyer is ready financially and logistically.

  • Triggers product assignment in Buyer’s name with:

    • Ministry of Energy

    • Port Authority

    • Seller’s Tank Farm

Once CI is issued, the product is assigned to Buyer, generating daily cost to Seller

Important: Do NOT issue ICPO if Buyer is not ready to proceed.

What is “Product Assignment”?

 

When Seller issues the Commercial Invoice:

  • Product is registered in Buyer’s name.

  • Port Authority updates internal registry.

  • Storage cost starts running daily.

 

If Buyer delays, Seller invoices Buyer for delay days

Why must Buyer be financially ready before starting?

 

Because Buyer may need to pay:

  • Tank extension fees

  • Injection program days

  • Access permit fees

  • Tank registration fees

  • Dip test costs

  • Additional weekend injection days

DIP TEST & SGS QUESTIONS

What is the Dip Test Authorization (DTA / UDTA)?

 

It is the formal authorization allowing Buyer to:

  • Hire SGS

  • Inspect product in Seller’s tanks

  • Verify Quality & Quantity (Q&Q)

 

It must be validated by Port Authority before physical inspection.

What is the difference between ATV and DTA?

 

ATV (Authorization to Verify)

  • Used for email/phone confirmation with tank farm

  • Not for physical inspection

 

DTA (Dip Test Authorization)

  • Allows physical SGS inspection

  • Must include tank codes and port validation

Who pays for SGS?

 

Buyer pays for:

  • Dip Test

  • Q&Q inspection

  • Optional second SGS

What if Buyer rejects product after SGS?

 

If Q&Q does not meet contractual specs, Buyer may reject.​​​

TANK EXTENSION QUESTIONS

Why must Buyer extend Seller’s tanks?

 

Because:

  • Dip test must occur in Seller’s tanks before injection.

  • Port Authority requires tank registration extension.

 

Minimum extension: typically 3–5 days

​​​

Why does Buyer sometimes pay 2 days and Seller 3 days?

Under Tank-to-Tank models (TTT):

  • Buyer pays 2 days first.

  • Seller pays 3 days after confirmation.

  • Tank farm issues 5-day TSR with TAC & HUB codes

What are TAC Code and HUB Number?

 

They are validation codes required by Port Authority.
Without them, TSR cannot be validated

Why are additional days sometimes charged during injection?

 

Because:

  • Saturday = half day injection

  • Sunday = no injection but storage counted

  • Equipment dismantling day

  • Final injection report preparation

 

Explained clearly in injection procedures

PAYMENT QUESTIONS

When does Buyer make final payment?

 

After:

  1. Successful SGS Dip Test

  2. Acceptance of Q&Q

  3. Injection completion (depending on model)

 

Payment method: MT103 / TT wire transfer

When does title transfer occur?

 

Title transfers:

  • After full payment

  • Seller issues Title Ownership Documents

  • Export documents delivered

Why are some procedures requesting $90,000 or $110,000 upfront?

 

In specific models:

  • $90,000 Tank Farm Access Code Registration

  • $110,000 Vessel Access Permit (Vessel-to-Vessel)

 

These payments are not product payments but operational/port compliance fees.

VESSEL TO VESSEL QUESTIONS

What happens in Vessel-to-Vessel?

  • Buyer provides CPA.

  • Seller issues cargo documents.

  • Buyer obtains port access permit.

  • Vessels conduct ship-to-ship transfer.

  • Buyer conducts onboard Q&Q.

  • Payment after successful inspection

     

TANKER TAKE OVER QUESTIONS

What is Tanker Take Over?

 

Buyer:

  • Signs SPA.

  • Receives PPOP.

  • Pays 5% security deposit.

  • Title transfers before rerouting vessel.

  • Final payment after discharge port SGS

INJECTION AGREEMENT QUESTIONS

What is TTTIA (Tank to Tank Injection Agreement)?

 

It is a formal injection contract between:

  • Seller

  • Buyer

  • Buyer’s Tank Farm

 

Must be signed and submitted with TSR before Port Authority validation

INTERMEDIARY QUESTIONS

When are commissions paid?

 

After:

  • Successful payment by Buyer

  • As per NCNDA / IMFPA

 

Typically within 24–48 hours

Can intermediaries change procedure?

 

No. Procedures are fixed and cannot be modified

RISK MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS

Can Buyer request guarantees?

 

Yes, Buyer may request:

  • Refund guarantee letters

  • Commitment to supply letters

  • Tank farm certifications

Why can’t Buyer enter tank farm freely?

 

Because:

  • Tanks are inside customs-controlled restricted areas.

  • Access requires Port Authority authorization

FINAL IMPORTANT CLARIFICATIONS

Is product real and already in port?

 

Yes. Procedures specify product is already positioned in storage terminals

What causes most transaction failures?

  1. Buyer not financially ready.

  2. Delays signing DTA or Injection Program.

  3. Tank farm not prepared to issue required codes.

  4. Buyer misunderstanding ATV vs DTA.

  5. Attempting to modify procedure.

SUMMARY FOR BUYERS

 

Before issuing ICPO, Buyer must confirm:

  • Funds ready

  • Tank farm confirmed

  • Injection days budgeted

  • SGS team prepared

  • Vessel (if applicable) ready

  • Procedure fully understood

FOB – TTT (Tank To Tank) PROCEDURE COMPARISON MATRIX.png
FOB – TTV (Tank To Vessel) PROCEDURE COMPARISON MATRIX.png

Working Procedures

Please find below the procedures for the CIF and FOB transactions that we can offer you. Kindly review them taking into consideration the information we have provided above.

Business

Let's build a long-term business relationship!

For more information, please contact to our team: customer@enerdealers.com

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