Abstract: Currently lacking are effective and accurate tools to help petroleum traders and logistics personnel to make better decisions, collaborate in real-time and negotiate deals in a private and secure environment. The present invention addresses this and other needs in the industry.

Abstract: Currently lacking are effective and accurate tools to help petroleum traders and logistics personnel to make better decisions, collaborate in real-time and negotiate deals in a private and secure environment. The present invention addresses this and other needs in the industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides software that includes various computer tools for the different individuals (crude and product traders, planners/analysts, brokers, schedulers, vessel owners/brokers, terminal operators, pipeline operators and cash brokers, etc.) involved in crude oil trading. In the preferred embodiment, the invention system is an on-line, real-time user interactive software system. The invention system includes three pieces of functionality: decision support tools: a broad set of powerful tools for accurate, on-the-fly deal evaluation and decision making including crude oil evaluation, product component blending and trading, arbitrage identification, transportation and vessel selection optimization. collaborative workflow environment: delivered via role-based consoles, this increases staff productivity by capturing the relationships between people, organizations, deal and deadlines to coordinate and synchronize the workflow within and between companies.