UNOCAL <UCL> RAISES CRUDE OIL POSTINGS Unocal Corp said it raised the contract price it will pay for most grades of crude oil 50 cts a barrel, effective today. The increase brings Unocal's posted price for the U.S. benchmark grade West Texas Intermediate to 17.50 dlrs a barrel. It also brought the price for West Texas Sour to 17.50 dlrs a bbl. Light Louisiana Sweet was also raised 50 cts to 17.85 dlrs/bbl. Unocal last changed its crude postings on March four, and brings it price in line with other major companies, which have been raising prices steadily in recent weeks. The increase also represents the latest in a series of increases that began with USX Corp's <X> Marathon Petroleum Corp's notification yesterday evening that, effective today, it raised its crude postings 50 cts a barrel, bringing its contract price for WTI to 17.50 dlrs a barrel. Earlier today, Sun Co <SUN>, Phillips Petroleum <P> and Diamond Shamrock <DIA> also said they raised their crude postings 50 cts a barrel, bringing their WTI contract price to 17.50 dlrs a barrel. Contract prices have risen in response to higher spot market prices, oil traders said.