Frequently Asked Questions

Shields Petroleum is a global petroleum trading company specializing in the procurement, marketing, and distribution of crude oil and refined petroleum products. We connect refineries, traders, and end-users worldwide through our verified network of trusted partners, providing reliable supply chain solutions and competitive pricing across all major energy markets.

We operate globally with offices in the Americas (Houston), Europe & Africa (London), Asia Pacific (Singapore), and Middle East (Dubai). Our network covers over 25 countries across 5 continents, including major markets like the USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Norway, Nigeria, India, China, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Shields Petroleum has been operating in the global petroleum trading industry for over 10 years, building a strong reputation for reliability, transparency, and competitive pricing. Our experience spans various market cycles and regulatory environments, giving us deep expertise in navigating complex international energy markets.

Our clients include refineries, independent oil companies, trading houses, government agencies, aviation companies, shipping firms, and large industrial consumers. We serve both established corporations and emerging companies across various sectors that require reliable petroleum product sourcing and supply chain management.

We typically respond to general inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Product quote requests are processed within 48-72 hours, while urgent matters can be handled immediately through our 24/7 emergency hotline. Our global presence ensures someone is always available to assist you during business hours in your time zone.

Yes, we welcome new and smaller companies to our network. We understand that every business starts somewhere, and we're committed to supporting growth at all levels. We can accommodate smaller initial quantities for new clients and provide guidance through the petroleum trading process to help establish successful long-term partnerships.

We utilize multiple transportation methods based on quantity, destination, and urgency:

• • Marine Transport: Tanker vessels for large quantities and international deliveries
• • Road Transport: Tank trucks for regional and local deliveries
• • Rail Transport: Tank cars for efficient overland bulk transportation
• • Pipeline: Direct facility-to-facility transfers where available
• • Barge Transport: River and coastal deliveries in suitable regions

Delivery times vary by transportation method and distance: Local/Regional (Truck): 1-3 days within country/region. Rail Transport: 3-7 days for continental deliveries. Short Sea (Barge/Small Tanker): 5-10 days for regional maritime routes. Ocean Freight: 15-45 days depending on route and vessel availability. Pipeline: Immediate to 2 days for direct connections. We provide detailed delivery schedules with each quotation.

Yes, we provide comprehensive shipment tracking including: real-time vessel/truck position updates, estimated arrival times at key waypoints, customs clearance status updates, document preparation and delivery status, automated notifications for key milestones, 24/7 customer service for urgent tracking queries. You'll receive tracking information and contact details for our logistics coordinators with each shipment.

We provide complete documentation packages for all shipments:

• • Commercial invoices and packing lists
• • Bills of lading or transport documents
• • Certificates of origin and quality
• • Insurance certificates (when applicable)
• • Export/import permits and customs documents
• • Safety data sheets and handling instructions
• • Third-party inspection reports

We offer flexible payment terms to accommodate different business needs:

• • Letter of Credit (LC): Sight LC or usance LC up to 180 days
• • Bank Guarantee: Performance and payment guarantees
• • Wire Transfer: Advance payment or payment against documents
• • Documentary Collection: Documents against payment/acceptance
• • Open Account: Net 30-90 days for established clients
• • Escrow Services: Third-party managed transactions

Yes, we work with established financial institutions to provide various financing solutions: trade finance facilities for working capital, structured commodity financing, inventory financing and hedging solutions, pre-export financing for suppliers, post-shipment financing options. Financing terms depend on transaction size, client creditworthiness, and specific requirements. Our finance team can discuss available options during the quotation process.

We accept payments in major international currencies including: USD (US Dollar) - primary trading currency, EUR (Euro) for European transactions, GBP (British Pound) for UK trades, SGD (Singapore Dollar) for Asian markets, AED (UAE Dirham) for Middle East deals, and other major currencies upon request. Currency hedging options are available to mitigate foreign exchange risks for long-term contracts.

We maintain the highest standards of transaction security through: established banking relationships with tier-1 international banks, compliance with all international trade finance regulations, comprehensive due diligence on all counterparties, secure document handling and verification procedures, insurance coverage for transactions and shipments, regular audits and compliance reviews. All transactions are conducted through secure, verified channels with full documentation trails.