It's unlikely a dramatic improvement in western Canadian oil prices since Alberta announced forced production curtailments two weeks ago will continue after the cuts begin on Jan. 1, 2019, a panel of experts agreed Thursday. The difference between Western Canadian Select bitumen-blend heavy oil and New York-traded West Texas Intermediate oil prices had widened to as much as $52 US a barrel in October before recovering to about $25.50 US on Dec. 3, the day after the announcement by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. The differential tightened to as little as $10.25 US on Tuesday this week and was flat at $12.25 US on ... (full story)