North Sea Crude-Forties steady, April programmes in view

North Sea Forties crude differentials were steady on Friday after a Gunvor bid at the same level as Thursday and while traders awaited release of April loading programmes.

APRIL PROGRAMMES

Loading schedules for Ekofisk and Forties crude, two of the benchmark grades, are due on Monday, traders said.

UNION DEAL

The Unite labour union said that nearly 100 offshore drillers working for Odfjell Technology UK on the BP Clair and Clair Ridge North Sea installations have secured an extra three weeks paid time off work per year.

PLATTS WINDOW

Indications are on a free-on-board (FOB) basis unless marked as cost, insurance and freight (CIF) or delivered at place (DAP).

There were no deals, a trade source said.

Forties: Gunvor withdrew a bid for a cargo at the same level as Thursday, a trader said. On Thursday Gunvor had bid at dated Brent minus 10 cents for a March 20-22 cargo.
Source: Reuters