US Cash Crude-Grades rise as WTI-Brent spread widens

HOUSTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Grades rose on Monday, dealers said as the discount between Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude widened for the sixth straight session.

The spread between WTI and Brent widened to as much as minus $4.60 during the session. A spread larger than minus $4 typically encourages exports.

Meanwhile, U.S. oil refiners are expected to have about 724,000 barrels per day of capacity offline in the week ending January 16, decreasing available refining capacity by 450,000 bpd, research company IIR Energy said.

Offline capacity is expected to rise to 1.1 million bpd in the week ending January 23, IIR said.

• Light Louisiana Sweet for February delivery was unchanged at a midpoint of a 95-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 75-cent and $1.15 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• Mars Sour rose 20 cents to a midpoint of a $1.50 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.60 and $1.40 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• WTI Midland rose 10 cents to a midpoint of a $1 premium and was seen bid and offered between a 90-cent and $1.10 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• West Texas Sour rose 50 cents to a midpoint of a $1.38 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.75 and $1 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• WTI at East Houston, also known as MEH, traded between a $1.15 and $1.35 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• ICE Brent March futures LCOc1 rose 53 cents to settle at $63.87 a barrel

• WTI February crude CLc1 futures rose 38 cents to settle at $59.5 a barrel

• The Brent/WTI spread widened 17 cents to last trade at minus $4.57, after hitting a high of minus $4.33 and a low of minus $4.60