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CANADA-CRUDE-Heavy oil differential broadens after recent pattern narrower

The discount on Western Canada Select (WCS) heavy unrefined versus the North American standard West Texas Intermediate (WTI) expanded on Monday:

* WCS for May delivery in Hardisty, Alberta, settled at $ 13.75 per barrel listed below WTI, according to brokerage CalRock, having settled at $13.00 a barrel below the criteria on Friday.

* Total Canadian heavy crude differentials have actually trended tighter in recent weeks in anticipation of the long-awaited Trans Mountain pipeline growth project starting to deliver crude. Trans Mountain said on Wednesday it would start operating on May 1.

* We're holding pretty consistent and when we actually get TMX up and running, differentials in Hardisty will most likely get even tighter, stated Rory Johnston, founder of the Product Context newsletter.

* Analysts at brokerage Eight Capital said in a research note they anticipated the WCS differential to narrow to single digits in the second quarter of 2024.

* Worldwide oil costs fell, ending a multi-session rally after Israel lowered its troops in southern Gaza and started a fresh round of ceasefire talks with Hamas.

(source: Reuters)