US Cash Crude-Coastal grades firm as WTI/Brent spread remains wide

HOUSTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Coastal grades firmed on Thursday, dealers said, as the discount of U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude to Brent remained wide.

Mars Sour and Southern Green Canyon rose 10 cents each.

The spread between WTI and Brent traded as wide as minus $4.50 during the session. A spread larger than minus $4 typically encourages export demand, driving prices higher.

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, cut the official selling price of March Arab Light crude to Asia to about a five-year low on Thursday, marking the fourth straight month of price cuts.

The price cuts to Asia could pull down the region's demand for U.S. crude.

Light Louisiana Sweet WTC-LLS for March delivery firmed 7 cents to a midpoint of a $1.40 premium and was seen bid and offered between a $1.20 and $1.60 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

Mars Sour WTC-MRS strengthened 10 cents to a midpoint of a $1 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $1.20 and 80-cent a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1

WTI Midland WTC-WTM eased 10 cents to a midpoint of an 80-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a 65-cent and 95-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

West Texas Sour WTC-WTS eased 5 cents to a midpoint of a $2.35 discount and was seen bid and offered between a $2.70 and $2.00 a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures CLc1

WTI at East Houston WTC-MEH, also known as MEH, traded between a 90-cent and $1.30 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures CLc1

ICE Brent April futures LCOc1 fell $1.91 to settle at $67.55 a barrel on Thursday.

WTI March crude CLc1 futures fell $1.85 to settle at $63.29 a barrel on Thursday.

The Brent/WTI spread WTCLc1-LCOc1 narrowed 21 cents to last trade at minus $4.50, after hitting a high of minus $4.50 and a low of minus $4.66.