Urals crude differentials to dated Brent were unchanged on Friday, while traders expected freight rates for Russian oil to increase amid coming winter season and new sanctions.

Freight rates for Russian oil transportation are set to rise amid coming winter season and new sanctions against Russian fleet, three traders said on Friday.

So far the cost of Urals oil shipments from the country’s western ports to India has remained stable, but costs might rise soon amid bad weather conditions and new western sanctions against fleet involved in Russian oil shipments, the traders said.

PLATTS WINDOW

No bids or offers were shown for Urals, Azeri BTC or CPC Blend in the Platts window on Friday.

NEWS

Azerbaijan said it would only be able to receive 2.2 million metric tons of Kazakhstan’s oil into its pipeline each year as it has a high sulphur content, curbing Astana’s efforts to reduce reliance on a Russian crude transit route.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Louise Heavens)