Americas crude: ANS done

摘要

On the US West Coast,in the first Alaska North Slope crude deal of 2005,Shell bought a 300,000 bbl cargo from a US major at us6.12/bbl under February WTI for delivery next month,20 cts/bbl tighter than the most recent January differential of us6.32 under WTI,surprising market participants who did not anticipate a higher price.Sources had predicted a wider ANS differential through January or no significant changes.A Shell source,who confirmed the deal,did not specify what prompted the firmer price.