Middle East crude benchmark spot premiums of Oman, Dubai and Murban held steady on Monday, after weekly gains and with Venezuelan oil export disruptions.

On Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a second oil tanker in international waters off the Venezuelan coast, days after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, officials told Reuters on Sunday, in what would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful.

Oil prices rose on Monday, with the fresh supply uncertainty.

SINGAPORE CASH DEALS

Cash Dubai’s premium to swaps fell 1 cent to 51 cents a barrel.

Trafigura, Equinor and Exxonmobil will each deliver a February Upper Zakum crude cargo to Glencore following the deals.

Shell will deliver a February-loading al-Shaheen crude cargo to Glencore following the deals.
Source: Reuters