Since 2012, global crude quality has shifted to a lighter slate. Sour crudes will become tighter in the near term due to combined effects of the collapse in Venezuelan output, tumbling Iranian exports, Vienna Alliance cuts, and Canadian curtailments. The increase in US shale output has added a huge volume of light barrels to the market. These opposing trends may continue for several more years, reshaping the global crude oil quality landscape. How will crude importers be impacted by changes in global trade patterns? Can refiners easily absorb new crude qualities?