Oilsands producers in the red as blended bitumen price dips below $4 per barrel

Analysts say oilsands producers are likely losing money or barely breaking even as prices for Western Canadian Select bitumen-blend crude dipped as low as US$3.82 per barrel on Monday. Michael Dunn with Stifel FirstEnergy in Calgary estimates realized prices for bitumen crossed into negative territory late last week after deducting the cost of the lighter oil blend required to allow the sticky bitumen to flow in a pipeline. Meanwhile, analyst Matt Murphy with Tudor Pickering Holt & Co. says