Benchmarks gain ground

摘要

Crude prices rose after EIA data showed a sizeable decline in US crude invento- ries. Atlantic basin benchmark North Sea Dated rose by 95￠/bl to $47.27/bl, while US light sweet benchmark WTI added $2.23/bl to $46.14/bl. Light sweet west African crude differentials came under pressure as October loading programmes emerged for Forcados and Qua Iboe, which had been shut in by pipeline sabotage. These have added 460,000 b/d to Nigeria’s planned exports next month. The offcial formula prices for some lighter Nigerian grades such as Agbami and Yoho were assessed up to $1/bl above October levels. Agbami and Yoho premiums were set at 59￠/bl and $1.85/bl to North Sea Dated, respectively.