Sour markets diverge

Brent prompt contract traded higher on Tuesday morning, as European physical crude prices, especially Russian Urals, edged higher compared to Brent, at a 70 cents discount, as sour crude supplies for European customers are becoming increasingly scarce. However, sour crude markets continued to weaken in Asia, as ESPO cargoes were reportedly sold at a single-digit premium to the Dubai benchmark. The Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the US is reportedly at risk, under a Biden administration.