Latest News

Urals diffs steady, Ukraine knocks out Russian refinery

Urals crude differentials to dated Brent were steady on Tuesday, while Russia's Lukoil NORSI refinery was knocked out in a significant Ukrainian drone attack.

* Industry sources informed on condition of privacy that the main crude distillation system (AVT-6) at NORSI was damaged in the attack, which implies that at least half of the refinery's production is stopped. Lukoil declined to comment.

* The NORSI refinery blackout might cause additions to the March loading plan for Russia's western ports, but no additional packing slots have been announced so far, traders said.

* The United States is trying to help India negotiate lower rates for Russian oil as it deepens sanctions on tankers carrying the petroleum above Western price caps, President Joe Biden's energy envoy said on Tuesday.

PLATTS WINDOW

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

NEWS

* OPEC on Tuesday stayed with its forecast for fairly strong growth in worldwide oil demand in 2024 and 2025, and further raised its economic growth forecast for this year stating there was more room for enhancement.