OREANDA-NEWS. The first shipment of US crude to travel through the Panama Canal since the December 2015 lifting of US export restrictions will also mark Nicaragua's first-known oil import from a country outside of Latin America.

Trafigura is loading the Panamax DS Promoter in the Houston Ship Channel with 380,000 bl of US domestic West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for export through the Panama Canal, the company told Argus yesterday. The crude will go to Trafigura subsidiary Puma Energy's 20,000 b/d Managua refinery (Manref) on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua.

Nicaragua does not produce its own crude, relying solely on imports. Most of those imports previously came through the PetroCaribe program, in which Venezuelan state-controlled PdV supplied oil to Caribbean and Central American countries through a low-interest loan in return for goods like rice or sugar.

But as Venezuela struggles during a deep economic crisis, PdV's supply to PetroCaribe is declining. Nicaragua — along with several other PetroCaribe member countries — is increasingly seeking alternative suppliers.

Before now, Nicaragua's crude supply originated from other Latin American countries. In 2015, Nicaragua imported about 6.4mn bl of crude oil, with 41.55pc from Venezuela, 30.59pc from Mexico and 27.85pc from Ecuador, according to customs data provided by Nicaragua's Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (MIFIC).

In 2014, Venezuela supplied 86.25pc of the roughly 5.8mn bl of crude Nicaragua imported, while Mexico supplied the remaining 13.75pc. In 2013, Venezuela provided about 98.3pc of the country's roughly 5.5mn bl in imports and El Salvador contributed just 1.7pc, marking the first year since 2008 that Venezuela split market share with a separate country.

According to the MIFIC data, which dates back to 2004, Ecuador and Mexico had frequently supplied Nicaragua with crude oil before it became a PetroCaribe member country in late 2007. Peru shipped about 200,000 bl of crude there the same year.

The diversification of Nicaragua's crude slate is likely spurred by generally low global crude prices. While Latin American crude was likely more economic to import because of low freight costs, WTI has averaged only $33.47/bl so far this year, down from $48.59/bl in the same time frame last year. Even assuming a maximum freight rate of $28/t, or about $3.70/bl, WTI would only cost Nicaragua roughly $37.20/bl.

The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) said 22 March that the Nicaraguan economy registered an annual growth rate of 4.9pc in 2015 because of improved trade as lower fuel prices increased gross national disposable income, leading to a 5.2pc increase in consumption. The bank noted an 11.6pc growth in total imports amid lower international commodity prices and a 2pc reduction in exports. Crude oil import volumes alone grew by 10.8pc in 2015, but the value spent on crude decreased by 40.1pc.

BCN forecasts a further decrease in international oil prices this year, indicating Nicaragua will likely continue to seek alternative crude import opportunities.

Additionally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced today its decision to close its resident representative office in Managua, Nicaragua, effective 1 August. "This decision reflects Nicaragua's success in maintaining macroeconomic stability and growth," IMF said.