Premiums for Russian crude have narrowed sharply to about $1-$2 a barrel for December cargoes from $12-$13 a barrel under October contracts, a Bharat Petroleum Corp official said on Monday, signaling that Urals crude is being priced cheaper following the easing of US sanctions. Yet, this may not immediately arrest the decline in Russia’s share of India’s crude oil imports, as elevated freight costs continue to make West Asian supplies more economical for Indian refiners.