NYMEX March crude futures settled 14 cents lower at $99.56/barrel Friday, 121-33-5 while RBOB futures closed higher after rallying on news of a refinery upset in the US Northeast. 452-86-8

February RBOB traded to a five-month high of $2.9677/gal, before settling up 8.02 cents at $2.9268/gal on an issue with an FCC at ConocoPhillips 238,000 b/d Bayway refinery in Linden, New Jersey. The company does not comment on its operations, but sources said the FCC was shut, although the reason for it was unknown.

The front-month RBOB crack spread also jumped, rising $3.37 to $23.22/b, basis WTI, while the crack basis Brent settled up $2.56 to $11.32/b on the day. Thats up from a low of minus $5.40/b in mid-November.

February heating oil settled 1.69 cents higher at $3.0704/gal and ICE March Brent settled up 67 cents at $111.46/b.

There has been a real worry in the market about fuel supply with refinery capacity an issue after Northeast refineries have shut and with Petroplus and Hovensa as well, said Gene McGillian, analyst at Tradition Energy.

Also Friday, PDVSA said scheduled maintenance work, 494-99-5 which will last about four months, will start Monday on the 108,000-b/d FCC at state oil companys Amuay refinery.

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