North Sea Crude-Brent and Forties strengthen, March programmes due

LONDON: North Sea Forties and Brent crude differentials firmed further on Friday, supported by stronger bids, while Ekofisk weakened slightly.

A large volume of Forties heading to Asia in January, plus a production dip at the North Sea's Buzzard oil field, have tightened supply.

PROGRAMMES

The first March loading programme for one of the benchmark grades was released on Friday. The March schedule for Oseberg lists seven cargoes of 600,000 barrels each, versus six in the original February plan.

The programmes for Forties and the other benchmark grades are expected to emerge on Monday.