US Cash Crude-Grades rise as Brent/WTI spread stays wide

Nov 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude grades broadly rose on Tuesday, dealers said, as the spread between global benchmark Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude futures stayed wide, which typically makes U.S. grades more attractive to foreign buyers.

The discount WTCLc1-LCOc1 traded at as much as minus $4.35 a barrel during the session, suggesting an open arbitrage window.

Also boosting demand, Nigeria's 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery has delayed maintenance on its crude distillation unit to the end of January, from earlier plans of undertaking it next month, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Capping gains, U.S. crude and fuel stocks rose last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. API/S

Crude stocks rose by 4.45 million barrels in the week ended November 14, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

Elsewhere, crude loadings at Russia's Novorossiysk port are about two to three days behind schedule as damage caused by a November 14 Ukrainian attack has limited the capacity of a key jetty at the terminal, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

• Light Louisiana Sweet for December delivery rose 33 cents to a midpoint of a $1.33 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.05 and $1.60 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• Mars Sour rose 30 cents to a midpoint of a 40-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between a 50-cent and 30-cent a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• WTI Midland rose 10 cents to a midpoint of a 60-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 50-cent and 70-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• West Texas Sour fell 30 cents to a midpoint of a $1.40 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.50 and $1.30 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• WTI at East Houston , also known as MEH, traded between a 85-cent and $1.05 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• ICE Brent January futures LCOc1 rose 69 cents to settle at $64.89 a barrel

• WTI December crude CLc1 futures rose 83 cents to settle at $60.74 a barrel

• The Brent/WTI spread narrowed 13 cents to last trade at minus $4.21, after hitting a high of minus $4.17 and a low of minus $4.35