WCS Discount to WTI Narrows as Crude Benchmarks Extend Monthly Gains

The price differential between Western Canada Select (WCS) heavy crude and the U.S. benchmark Oil – US Crude narrowed on Thursday, signaling slightly improved pricing for Canadian producers. February-delivery WCS at Hardisty, Alberta, settled at a $14.10-per-barrel discount to West Texas Intermediate (WTI), according to brokerage CalRock, versus a $14.30 discount the previous day. While the spread remains historically wide due to transportation constraints and quality differences, the modest tightening may reflect steady demand for heavy crude and ongoing optimization of export routes.

Over the past month, Oil – US Crude has gained about 7.21%, supported by firm demand expectations and ongoing supply discipline, contributing to a constructive backdrop for North American benchmarks. International benchmark Oil – Brent Crude has advanced roughly 7.89% in the same period, underscoring a broad-based rally across major crude contracts. From a short-term technical perspective, both WTI and Brent currently flash a 1-day Buy and Buy signal, respectively, indicating near-term bullish momentum that could continue to influence heavy crude differentials like WCS-WTI spreads. Investors can explore more updates, prices, and analysis across global markets at Commodities.