Which crude-oil benchmark is produced in the United States and traded at Cushing, Oklahoma?

West Texas Intermediate is the U.S. crude-oil benchmark traded at Cushing, Oklahoma.

WTI is a light, sweet crude: it has relatively low density and low sulfur content. Those qualities make it suitable for producing a high share of valuable fuels, and its physical delivery point at Cushing gives the benchmark a clear connection to stored barrels.

WTI futures are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange, part of CME Group. News reports often quote WTI prices when describing the U.S. oil market, while Brent is commonly used as the principal international benchmark.

WTI is not one single underground oil field. The term describes a benchmark crude stream and related pricing contracts. Actual WTI-linked prices can differ from other U.S. grades because of quality, transport capacity, storage levels, and regional supply conditions.