* WCS for June delivery in Hardisty, Alberta, narrowed to
$12.80 a barrel under the benchmark, according to brokerage
CalRock. On Wednesday the Canadian heavy benchmark ended at
$13.10 a barrel under WTI.
* Benchmark Canadian heavy crude prices have tightened this
week to multi-month highs on concerns about wildfires in
Alberta, that forced some producers to shutter production.
Although the wildfires have eased in recent days, temperatures
are expected to climb over the weekend, raising concerns about
further production cuts and evacuations across Canada's main
oil-producing province.
* "Everybody is looking at the weather," said one
Calgary-based trader. "There's a higher probability for more
disruption than less (disruption)."
* Canadian heavy oil prices have also improved this year
relative to WTI due to better egress to the United States and
the restart of two Midwest refineries that are big buyers.
* Global oil prices settled more than 1% lower, falling for
the third consecutive week, as the market balanced supply fears
against renewed economic concerns in the United States and
China. (Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by
Shounak Dasgupta)
nia.williams.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
