Middle East Crude-Oman, Dubai premiums tick lower for third session

SINGAPORE, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Spot premiums for Middle East crude benchmarks Oman and Dubai declined for a third consecutive session on Tuesday, as supplies recovered while soaring freight dampened buying appetite.

Oil prices fell on Tuesday, as traders assessed supply risks from attacks on Saudi Arabia while weighing the prospect of additional diesel supplies from Russia. O/R

That said, concerns over the vulnerability of Gulf energy infrastructure and shipping lanes remained in focus after Iran-aligned Houthis struck Riyadh's international airport over the weekend, while tanker attacks were reported near the Strait of Hormuz.

SPOT TRADE

South Korea's SK Energy has purchased its first January arrival US West Texas Intermediate crude, traders said, marking one of the few US crude deals for Asian refiners in recent weeks, amid soaring tanker rates.

SINGAPORE CASH DEALS

Cash Dubai's premium to swaps fell $1.83 to $7.96 a barrel.

PRICES ($/BBL)

NEWS

BP BP.L estimated on Tuesday its third-quarter refining margins tripled from last year as the Iran war boosts profits for oil majors, but also flagged $3 billion to $4.5 billion in impairments relating to its gas and low-carbon energy segment.

Dense heavy crude, which oil refiners around the world favor for its typically low cost, is piling up in the Americas as soaring freight rates have stifled exports and US refiners have been running close to their limits.

Ukraine halted strikes on Russian oil refineries and its other energy infrastructure for two days following US President Donald Trump's announcement of an energy ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday.

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