W. Africa Crude-Nigeria differentials down on March cargo overhang
LONDON, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Nigerian differentials for March loading showed the first sign of easing on Thursday as persistently high prices have deterred buyers and caused a buildup of cargoes.
Chinese refinery demand for Angolan crude in the run-up to the Lunary New Year holiday has cleared most of its cargoes.
* Traders said there were at least 20 unsold Nigerian cargoes from the March programme
* The overhang has started to bring down prices of Bonny Light and Qua Iboe, which had been indicated at more than $2 a barrel above dated Brent so far in February
* Exxon was offering cargo of Qua Iboe at a premium of $1.90 to dated Brent on Thursday versus offers near $2.75 on Wednesday
* Traders cited buyer reluctance to meet the high differentials and low gasoline margins as reasons for the price slide
* Demand for Angolan crude from Chinese refiners in the run-up to the lunar new year holiday all but drained supplies of March-loading cargoes
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Reporting by Amanda Cooper and Noah Browning
Editing by Jane Merriman