The differential between Brent and Urals crudes dated Friday remained stable, but Russia's oil imports from western ports are expected to remain close to their record high for October, according both to industry sources as well as calculations.

According to industry estimates, the number of barrels shipped of Urals, Siberian Light and KEBCO grades in the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, as well as Novorossiysk could drop by 200,000 bpd from last month, to 2.3 million bpd.

PLATTS WINDOW

There were no bids or offers reported on Friday in the Platts window for Urals, Azeri BTC Blend or CPC blend crude.

* ANALYSIS: The sanctions-hit Russian-owned Nayara Refinery is scrambling to maintain operations with New Delhi's assistance. Toby Chopra (Reporting and Editing)

(source: Reuters)