LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Two buy tenders were awarded for
West African crude oil, while Nigerian official selling prices
and Angolan term allocations were still awaited.
* A tender from India's IOC for crude loading from Nov. 27 -
Dec. 6 for arrival in the last week of December was likely
awarded to an Angolan grade, though no further details emerged.
* India's HPCL awarded a tender for crude loading from Nov.
26 - Dec. 5 to Exxon with two cargoes of Nigerian Qua Iboe,
though no price details were forthcoming.
* Qua Iboe and Bonny Light continue to be offered at around
dated Brent flat, which buyers consider far too high.
* Taiwan's CPC closed a buy tender for crude loading in
early December but there were no immediate details on a winner.
* Nigeria's NNPC had yet to issue its official selling
prices which were expected imminently, to be followed by crude
export plans for December.
ANGOLA
* Term allocations for crude loading in December were still
being finalized, and no offers for December had yet emerged.
* Differentials for Russian oil bound for the far east have
risen sharply lately, as sellers count on a robust Chinese
economy and cleared port traffic to buoy demand.
* Uncertainty remains around import quotas for Chinese
independent refiners next year, complicating price expectations.
RELATED NEWS
* Middle East producers' share of the Indian market fell to
a four-month low in September while that of Africa rose to a
one-year high, according to data obtained from industry sources.
* Maersk Drilling has secured an additional three-well
contract for Maersk Voyager in Angola.