US crude oil exports hit record high in September

US crude oil exports rose to about 692,000 barrels per day in September, the highest on record, from about 657,000 bpd in the previous month, foreign trade data from the US Census Bureau showed on Friday.

Canada took in the most exports at 243,000 bpd, followed by Singapore at 99,000 bpd. Exports to Europe were also high, with Italy receiving some 81,000 bpd and Spain 41,000 bpd. Other prominent destinations included South Korea and the Netherlands.

The previous record was set in May when the United States exported about 662,000 bpd, according to US government data.

US crude exports have climbed since the lifting of a decades-old ban late last year.

The discount of US crude to Brent crude had widened to as much as $2.67 a barrel in late August, the widest since February.

The US Energy Information Administration will release its closely watched monthly crude figures, which are based on the US Census data, at the end of this month.