US Cash Crude-MEH firms to seven-month high on strong export demand

Sept 19 (Reuters) - WTI at East Houston, also known as MEH, strengthened on Friday to its highest since February on strong export demand.

MEH firmed 10 cents to about a premium of $1.55 to U.S. crude futures. WTI Midland gained 5 cents and Mars sour crude was unchanged.

Traders cited firm export demand as the spread between WTI and Brent widened to as much as minus $4.32 a barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures are also set to expire on Monday. Traders use the three-day period following the expiry to adjust their slate and square positions.

On the supply side, Baker Hughes said oil rigs rose by two to 418 this week, their highest since July.

• Light Louisiana Sweet for October delivery was unchanged at a midpoint of a $2.20 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $2.00 and $2.40 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

• Mars Sour was unchanged at a midpoint of a 20-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between parity and a 40-cent​ a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

• WTI Midland gained 5 cents at a midpoint of a $1.10 premium and was seen bid and offered between an 85-cent and $1.35 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• West Texas Sour was unchanged at a midpoint of a 25-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between ​ a discount of 50 cents and parity to U.S. crude futures CLc1

• WTI at East Houston, also known as MEH, traded between a $1.25 and $1.85 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

• ICE Brent November futures LCOc1 fell 76 cents to settle at $66.68 a barrel on Friday​.

• WTI October crude CLc1 futures fell 89 cents to settle at $62.68 a barrel on Friday​.

• The Brent/WTI spread widened 9 cents to last trade at minus $4.27, after hitting a high of minus $4.18 and a low of minus $4.32.