Urals crude differentials to dated Brent were stable on Friday, while oil loadings from Russia’s western ports were set to decline in December.

Oil loadings from Russia’s western ports in December are expected to slip by some 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.8 million bpd amid rising refinery runs, according to three market sources and Reuters calculations.

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil is restoring operations of its catalytic cracker complex, ramping up gasoline output after the unit’s breakdown on Nov. 13, two industry sources told Reuters on Friday.

PLATTS WINDOW

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

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.

China’s crude oil imports are set to rebound in November after sharp price cuts boosted demand for Iraqi and Saudi oil, offsetting a drop in Iranian supply, according to analysts, traders and shiptracking data.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Louise Heavens)