In U.S. supply, U.S. energy firms added the most oil rigs in
a week since June, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said on Friday.
U.S. oil rigs rose 10 to 609 this week. The rig count is
seen as an indication of future supply.
Inland grades WTI Midland and West Texas Sour both firmed on the day, with West Texas Sour
strengthening to its highest since Aug. 30.
Though coastal grade Light Louisiana Sweet also
firmed, Mars Sour weakened for the third straight
session.
Oil futures rose more than 2% on Friday and posted weekly
gains of over 8%, as Russia announced plans to reduce oil
production next month after the West imposed price caps on the
country's crude and fuel. Russia plans to reduce its crude oil production in March by
500,000 barrels per day (bpd), or about 5% of output, Deputy
Prime Minister Alexander Novak said.
* Light Louisiana Sweet for March delivery gained 85
cents at a midpoint of a $3.75 premium and was seen bid and
offered between a $3.65 and $3.85 a barrel premium to U.S. crude
futures ?
* Mars Sour fell half a dollar at a midpoint of a
$1.75 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.85 and
$1.65 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures ?
* WTI Midland gained 10 cents at a midpoint of a
$2.25 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $2.15 and
$2.35 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures ?
* West Texas Sour gained 35 cents at a midpoint of a
75-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 65-cent
and 85-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures ?
* WTI at East Houston , also known as MEH, traded
between a $2.4 and $2.6 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures ?
* ICE Brent April futures rose $1.89 to settle at
$86.39 a barrel on Friday?.
* WTI March crude futures rose $1.66 to settle at
$79.72 a barrel on Friday?.
* The Brent/WTI spread widened 24 cents to
minus $6.47, after hitting a high of minus $6.25 and a low of
minus $6.50.
(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly
Editing by Chris Reese)
Feb 10 (Reuters) - U.S. inland grades firmed on Friday,
dealers said, with West Texas Sour strengthening to
trade at a midpoint that was on par with its highest since
August, as U.S. crude's discount to international benchmark
Brent widened.
West Texas Intermediate's discount to Brent widened 24 cents to minus $6.47 a barrel. A wider spread makes
U.S.-linked crudes more attractive to foreign buyers.
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