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Urals diffs the same, Russia orders companies to cut oil output

Urals crude oil differentials to dated Brent were the same on Monday amid low trading activity, while Russia asked its oil business to cut oil output, sources stated.

Russia's federal government has bought business to reduce oil output in the second quarter to ensure they fulfill a production target of 9 million barrels daily (bpd) by the end of June in line with its pledges to OPEC+.

Oil output cuts are anticipated to offset possible Russia's oil exports increase due to unplanned refinery interruption in coming months, traders stated.

Caspian Azeri BTC and CPC Blend oil grades remained under pressure from weak need in Mediterranean amid spring maintenance and an inflow of competitive U.S. oil grades to the area, traders said.

PLATTS WINDOW

* There were no quotes or deals for Azeri BTC, CPC Blend or Urals oil in the Platts window on Monday.

NEWS

* Foreign oil firms operating in Iraq's Kurdistan region are partially to blame for the delay in resuming crude exports after failing to send agreements for modification, Iraq's oil ministry said.