US Cash Crude-WTI Midland gains as WTI's discount to Brent widens

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Cash crude differentials for WTI Midland strengthened on Friday as U.S. crude futures' discount to the international benchmark Brent widened to its most since mid-June.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures' (WTI) discount to Brent WTCLc1-LCOc1 widened to as much as minus $3.86 a barrel, the most since June 13. A wider spread makes U.S. grades more attractive to foreign buyers.

WTI Midland WTC-WTM strengthened at a midpoint of an 80-cent premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1, the strongest since April.

WTI at East Houston WTC-MEH, also known as MEH, traded between a $1.20 and $1.40 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures, its strongest since April.

In an indication of future supply, U.S. energy firms this week increased the number of oil rigs by one to 412 this week, energy services firm Baker Hughes BKR.O said. RIG/U

* Light Louisiana Sweet WTC-LLS for September delivery strengthened $1.00 at a midpoint of a $1.75 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.65 and $1.85 a barrel premium to WTI

* Mars Sour WTC-MRS weakened 5 cents at a midpoint of a 40-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between a 50-cent and 30-cent a barrel discount to WTI

* WTI Midland WTC-WTM strengthened 5 cents at a midpoint of an 80-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between 70 and 90 cents over WTI

* West Texas Sour WTC-WTS was little changed at a midpoint of a 10-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between discount of 20 cents and parity to WTI

* WTI at East Houston WTC-MEH, also known as MEH, traded between a $1.20 and $1.40 a barrel premium to WTI

* ICE Brent October futures LCOc1 fell 99 cents to settle at $65.85 a barrel

* WTI September crude CLc1 futures fell $1.16 to settle at $62.80 a barrel

* The Brent/WTI spread WTCLc1-LCOc1 widened to last trade at minus $3.84, after hitting a high of minus $3.79 and a low of minus $3.86