OIL: Middle East Crude Spot Benchmark Premiums Rise Slightly

Middle East crude benchmark spot premiums Oman, Dubai, and Murban all rose on the day Sep. 23, ending four consecutive sessions of losses, * Ongoing going disruption in the Strait of Hormuz keeps levels elevated, while oscillation between diplomatic and bellicose rhetoric from Trump adds market uncertainty. * Cash Dubai's premium to swaps was $18.47/b, widening by 34 cents/b on the day. * Cash Dubai outright was down $1.30/b on the day to $109.90/b. * GME Oman fell 3 cents/b to $110.19/b, putting it at a $18.76/b premium to Dubai swaps, widening by $1.61/b. * In the Platts MOC, Unipec sold 16 times to Shell at $108.3-$109.7/b, 13 times to Trafigura at $108.4-$109.3/b, 13 times to Exxon at $108.2-$109.6/b, and 10 times to Total at $108.2-$109.59/b. * Unipec will deliver two November-loading Murban crude cargoes, one to ExxonMobil and one to Trafigura following the deals.