*Latest official data for key Mediterranean crude importer Spain show a sharp increase in imports from Gulf producers Iraq and Saudi Arabia with Russia shunned.

*Whilst Spain has not in recent years been a key buyer of Russian crude, volumes averaged 55,000 b/d for Q3 2021. But they have fallen to zero since May. In contrast, Mideast volumes of 246,000 b/d for Q3 were the highest since Q3 2019. (CONTINUED - 258 WORDS)