Middle East Crude-Benchmarks rally to multi-month highs after Saudi pipeline outage

SINGAPORE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Spot premiums for Middle East crude benchmarks Oman, Dubai and Murban rose on Monday to the highest since late March, after new strikes on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure and attacks on ships in the Middle East compounded supply concerns.

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline was temporarily shut following a drone attack, according to Saudi officials. The shutdown of the pipeline, which helps Saudi Arabia avoid the Strait of Hormuz and re-route its exports through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, threatens up to 4% of global oil supply.

SINGAPORE CASH DEALS

Cash Dubai's premium to swaps rose $1.61 to $29.95 a barrel.

Unipec will deliver a November-loading Murban crude cargo to Trafigura following the deals.

Unipec will deliver a November-loading Oman crude cargo to PetroChina following the deals.

PRICES ($/BBL)

NEWS

Oil traders in top consuming region Asia expect prices to remain elevated as fresh attacks dampen expectations for an imminent end to the Middle East conflict, while strong refining margins drive demand for physical supply.

President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday the United States could stay in Iran and "keep the oil", drawing a parallel with a U.S. push to take control of a fifth of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

Arab states in the Gulf called off a meeting with Iran planned for Monday, while Yemen's Houthis launched a new attack on Saudi Arabia after fighting that has extended the Middle East war to another theatre and further jeopardised global oil supplies.

For crude prices, oil product cracks and refining margins, please click on the RICs below.