WCS Heavy Blend Crude Slumps on Enbridge Pipeline Shutdowns

Western Canada Select heavy blend crude for September delivery widened sharply on Wednesday after Enbridge Inc shut its Flanagan South and Spearhead pipelines following a crude oil leak on Tuesday.

WCS traded as low as $21.75 per barrel below the West Texas Intermediate benchmark, the widest differential in a year, before paring losses to last trade at $20.25 per barrel below the benchmark.

On Tuesday it settled at $19.80 per barrel below WTI, according to Shorcan Energy brokers.

Flanagan South and Spearhead are both major conduits for Canadian heavy crude to reach the U.S. Gulf Coast.

(Reporting by Nia Williams)