HOUSTON, April 26 (Reuters) -

A crude oil trader at Aramco Trading Americas left the

company this week, people familiar with the matter said, though

it was unclear the reason for his departure.

The trader, David Herel, had joined Aramco from Gunvor Group

in 2021 and became a crude oil trader the following

year, according to his LinkedIn.com profile.

Herel did not immediately reply to requests for a comment.

Aramco did not reply to a request for comment outside working

hours.

Aramco Trading Americas was launched in January 2023, after

Aramco acquired Motiva Trading.

Some traders at the unit briefly walked off the job in late

March to protest lower-than-expected bonuses and the deferral of

some bonus payments, the people said.