North Sea Crude-Forties stays at discount, Asia demand doubts weigh

LONDON: North Sea Forties crude differentials stayed at a discount to benchmark dated Brent on Tuesday, pressured by expectations that Asia would absorb fewer barrels than previously thought.

Three supertankers of Forties are expected to sail to Asia in November, but traders said a fourth shipment on the VLCC Texas might not, potentially increasing local supply.

In addition, expectations that December may see lower volumes of Forties heading out of the region than in November were pressuring the market, traders said.