Russian Urals crude drops to ~$34; Baltic $34.82, Black Sea $33.17

Russia's Urals crude fell to about $34 a barrel on Friday, with Baltic loadings at $34.82 and Black Sea cargoes at $33.17, according to Argus Media. The slide widened the gap to Dated Brent near $61 as U.S. sanctions introduced in October made trade more difficult and pushed deeper export discounts.