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Urals prices climbed back above western cost cap on firmer Brent

Prices for Russian flagship Urals oil grade cargoes packing in November have climbed up back above $60 per barrel at Russian Baltic and Black Sea ports on firmer Brent, traders stated and Reuters estimations revealed.

Softer shipping expenses at essential export routes to Asia and stable prices in Indian ports supplied assistance to Urals FOB estimates, according to market sources.

Urals oil cargoes packing from Baltic Primorsk port were seen at $63 per barrel, while the grade's cargoes loading from Novorossiisk stood at $64.2 per barrel after remaining below the cost cap level since mid-October, according to Reuters calculations.

Brent crude futures rose 45 cents, or 0.6%, to settle at $75.53 a barrels on Wednesday.

Oil rates were rising given that Monday following OPEC+ choice to postpone plans to hike production in December.

Discounts in Indian ports, main market for seaborne Urals oil, stayed stable - at $3.50-3.80 per barrel to outdated Brent, traders stated.

The freight rates for Russian oil deliveries declined to $ 5.1-5.2 million for a tanker's one-way voyage from Russian Baltic ports to India, stable to decrease from October levels.

Lower freight rates were seen as a result of lower oil exports planned from Russian ports this month.

In late 2022 the Group of Seven countries - the United States, Canada, Britain, Italy, France, Germany and Japan - together with the European Union and Australia imposed a cap of $ 60-per-barrel on the sale of Russian oil on a free-on-board basis, looking for to reduce Russia's profits from seaborne oil exports as part of sanctions.

Higher Urals costs will increase Russia's oil earnings.

India did not sign up with Western sanctions on Russia, however adheres to global sanctions policies including the cost cap.

Under the Western rate cap terms, suppliers of Russian oil are just able to use Western services such as shipping and insurance if Russian crude trades below $60 per barrel.

The price for each specific Urals cargo is agreed in between a. seller and a buyer, while various cost solutions might be used.

Reuters estimations of Urals crude rates FOB rates are. based upon the grade's discounts to Brent at Indian ports on a. delivered-ex-ship basis, transportation, other associated costs and. the Brent criteria.

(source: Reuters)