US Cash Crude-Grades largely firm even as U.S. oil stocks post surprise gains

July 30 (Reuters) - U.S. cash crude grades largely strengthened on Wednesday, dealers said, even as U.S. crude inventories posted a surprise rise.

Key grade WTI Midland traded at 40 cents, unchanged from the previous session, while Mars Sour WTC-MRS firmed 30 cents.

U.S. crude inventories rose by 7.7 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.3 million-barrel draw.

U.S. gasoline stocks fell by 2.7 million barrels, exceeding expectations for a 600,000-barrel draw. Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 3.6 million barrels, higher than forecasts for a 300,000-barrel build.

Meanwhile, the discount between U.S. crude and Brent crude oil narrowed to as little as $3.11, the narrowest since July 8, firmly under the minus $4 level that typically encourages exports.

Chevron CVX.N was also granted a restricted U.S. license to operate in sanctioned Venezuela, three sources close to the decision said on Wednesday, adding that no money from oil proceeds can be transferred in any way to the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. oil refiners are expected to have about 224,000 barrels per day (bpd) of capacity offline in the week ending August 1, decreasing available refining capacity by 3,000 bpd, research company IIR Energy said on Wednesday.

* Light Louisiana Sweet WTC-LLS for August delivery climbed $2 to a midpoint of a $2.25 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.70 and $2.80 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* Mars Sour WTC-MRS increased 30 cents to a midpoint of a 30-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 10-cent and 50-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* WTI Midland WTC-WTM was unchanged at a midpoint of a 40-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 20-cent and 60-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* West Texas Sour WTC-WTS eased 10 cents to a midpoint of a 20-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between a discount of 50 cents and 10-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* WTI at East Houston WTC-MEH, also known as MEH, traded between a 50-cent and 90-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

* ICE Brent September futures LCOc1 rose 73 cents to settle at $73.24 a barrel on Wednesday.

* WTI September crude CLc1 futures rose 79 cents to settle at $70 a barrel on Wednesday.

* The Brent/WTI spread WTCLc1-LCOc1 narrowed 16 cents to last trade at minus $3.14, after hitting a high of minus $3.11 and a low of minus $3.40.