Brent/Dubai spread narrows on firm demand for sour crude

Singapore — Benchmark Dubai crude futures' discount to ICE Brent narrowed in mid-morning trading in Asia on Wednesday, as firm demand from Chinese refiners for Middle East sour crude propped up the complex.

At 11 am in Singapore (0300 GMT) on Wednesday, the October Brent/Dubai Exchange Futures for Swaps spread narrowed to $2.46/b from $2.56/b assessed at the close of trading in Asia on Tuesday evening.

The $2.56/b mark assessed on Tuesday was lower day on day. The EFS stood at $2.71/b a day prior, according to S&P Global Platts data.

"Demand is healthy, margin is firm...so teapots [are] running as [much as] they can," said a crude trader dealing with Chinese independent refiners.

Intermonth Dubai futures spreads have also strengthened in recent days, with the September/October spread ticking past $1/b backwardation earlier this week. The same spread was notionally assessed at $1.02/b, compared to $1.03/b on Tuesday at 4:30 pm in Singapore.

Cargoes of Middle East sour crude -- prices for which are typically linked to Dubai futures -- have cleared quickly in the spot market this month, with the entire quality range from light to heavy crude fetching firm premiums from Asian buyers.

A 500,000-barrel clip of Abu Dhabi's medium sour Upper Zakum crude was heard traded recently in the spot market, at a premium of around 15 cents/b over its official selling price.

Light sour Murban crude was seen bid up to 23 cents/b premium over its OSP in the Platts Market on Close assessment process in Asia Tuesday, with no sellers seen at that level.

Meanwhile, heavier Middle East grades such as Iraqi Basrah Heavy are also trading in firm premiums, although price differentials seem to have eased since the beginning of the month on plentiful supply, traders based in China told Platts.

"Lots of guys have Basrah Heavy, so [premiums] have dropped sharply," said one trader.

Basrah Heavy was heard sold earlier in the month at premiums ranging from $1.40/b to $1.55/b over its OSP. But recent trading levels have dropped to below $1/b, according to market participants.

--Eesha Muneeb, eesha.muneeb@spglobal.com

--Edited by Nurul Darni, nurul.indriani.darni@spglobal.com