* April WCS trades at $24.00/bbl below WTI
* April synthetic trades at $3.00/bbl below WTI
CALGARY, Alberta, March 3(Reuters) – Canadian heavy crude
prices strengthened slightly on Monday, the first day of the new
trading cycle, as traders eyed the end of the refinery
maintenance season.
Western Canada Select heavy blend for April delivery last
traded at $24.00 per barrel below the West Texas Intermediate
benchmark, according to Shorcan Energy brokers.
That compares with a settlement price on Friday of $25.25
per barrel below the benchmark.
The North American refinery maintenance season, which
started in late February, will come to an end in April and
although the turnaround schedule has been relatively light,
demand for crude is expected to rise.
Light synthetic crude from the oil sands for April delivery
was broadly steady, last trading at $3.00 per barrel below WTI,
compared to a settlement price on Friday of $2.80 per barrel
below the benchmark.
(Reporting by Nia Williams; Editing by Grant McCool)
