US Cash Crude-Grades mixed as Iranian supply concerns subside, WTI/Brent spread widens

HOUSTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Grades were mixed on Thursday, dealers said, as investors' concerns around Iranian supply disruptions faded, while the WTI/Brent spread widened.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been told that killings in Iran’s crackdown on protests were easing and that he believed there was no current plan for large-scale executions, adopting a wait‑and‑see posture after earlier threatening intervention.

Trump's comments on Wednesday led oil futures to retreat from multi-month highs, as traders viewed less potential risk to global oil supplies.

The spread between WTI and Brent supported prices, widening to as much as minus $4.66 during the session. A spread larger than minus $4 typically encourages export demand, driving prices higher.

• Light Louisiana Sweet for February delivery fell 25 cents to a midpoint of a $2 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.75 and $2.25 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1 ​

• Mars Sour rose 10 cents to a midpoint of a 90-cent discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1 and 80-cent a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1

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• WTI Midland was steady at 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

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• West Texas Sour fell $1 to a midpoint of a $2.75 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $3.00 and $2.50 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

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• ICE Brent March futures LCOc1 fell $2.76 to settle at $63.76 a barrel

• WTI February crude CLc1 futures fell $2.83 to settle at $59.19 a barrel

• The Brent/WTI spread widened 2 cents to last trade at minus $4.66, after hitting a high of minus $4.45 and a low of minus $4.71