U.S. cash crude prices largely strengthened on Friday, dealers said, on the second full day of the cash roll period, which sees volatile trading.
Prices to roll U.S. crude oil positions from December to January traded at 45 cents a barrel, dealers said.
Traders use the three-day roll period to square positions and manage exposure.
Meanwhile, U.S. energy firms this week added one oil rig, energy services firm Baker Hughes BKR.O said in its closely followed report on Friday.
China’s crude oil imports were set to rebound in November, according to analysts, traders and ship tracking data. Oil imports also increased in India, the world’s third biggest oil importer, as domestic consumption increased, according to government data.
In refining news, Gunvor has undertaken a temporary economic shutdown of its Rotterdam oil refinery effective Nov. 25, the company said in a statement on Friday, citing a lack of commercially viable feedstock.
Light Louisiana Sweet WTC-LLS for December delivery eased to a midpoint of a $1.70 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.50 and $1.90 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1
Mars Sour WTC-MRS strengthened 30 cents to a midpoint of a 10-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between a discount of 30 cents and 10-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1
WTI Midland WTC-WTM was unchanged at a midpoint of a $1.05 premium and was seen bid and offered between a 85-cent and $1.25 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1
West Texas Sour WTC-WTS strengthened 15 cents to a midpoint of a 5-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a premium of 30 cents and discount of 20 cents a barrel to U.S. crude futures CLc1
WTI at East Houston WTC-MEH, also known as MEH, traded between a $1.60 and $2.00 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1
ICE Brent January futures LCOc1 rose 94 cents to settle at $75.17 a barrel on Friday.
WTI January crude CLc1 futures rose $1.14 to settle at $71.24 a barrel on Friday.
The Brent/WTI spread narrowed 22 cents to last trade at minus $3.91, after hitting a high of minus $3.87 and a low of minus $4.18.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston)