Med crude-Urals differentials firm for April volumes

Kitco Media
By Reuters
Published:
Updated:
Reuters
MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) - Urals crude oil differentials to dated Brent firmed on Tuesday as prices for April-loading cargoes rose on strong demand from buyers in Asia, traders said.
* April Urals oil cargoes were estimated at a discount of $14-17 per barrel to dated Brent in Indian ports on a DES (delivered ex-ship) basis compared to a discount of $18-20 for March volumes, the sources said.
* The cost of April Urals shipments on FOB port Primorsk basis is currently about $50 per barrel, Reuters calculations showed.
* Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russian oil sales to India jumped 22-fold last year.
* Russian oil and gas production is expected to decline in 2023, as Moscow comes under pressure from Western restrictions and a lack of European buyers, the state's Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said on Tuesday. PLATTS WINDOW
* No bids or offers were made for Urals, Azeri BTC or CPC Blend in the Platts window on Tuesday, traders said. NEWS
* Industrial action over the past three weeks has seen every French refinery debilitated to some extent, hindering fuel deliveries throughout the country and depressing European crude prices as market players look to sell.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Richard Chang)
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