Benchmarks make gains

摘要

Crude prices frmed on expectations of rising demand as the fourth quarter progresses. Atlantic basin benchmark North Sea Dated gained $1.85/bl to $48.50/ bl, while US benchmark WTI rose by 68￠/bl to $46.06/bl. Loadings of the seven Norwegian grades for which programmes were available are scheduled to drop by 14pc in December, with Statfjord and Oseberg ship- ments due to decline by 17pc and by 19pc, respectively. The reductions could ease regional oversupply that has led to light Forties falling to a discount to North Sea Dated. Total offered a cargo each of Brent and Forties on a ship-to- ship transfer basis, but failed to fnd any interest.