LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Nigeria's October loading
programmes are expected imminently as Angolan differentials are
set to improve amid improved demand for heavy sweet crude,
traders said.
NIGERIA
* Preliminary programmes for October export were set to
emerge starting on Wednesday and the official selling prices
(OSPs) late on Thursday.
* At least 20 cargoes remain for loading in September, a
relatively small number as south Asian buying has picked up in
the last two weeks despite lacklustre European demand.
* Price offerings for major grades Bonny Light and Qua Iboe
were heard to stand around a premium of $2.50 compared to dated
ANGOLA
* State oil company Sonangol was finalizing its term
allocations a day after preliminary programmes for October
showed a small drop in exports.
* Prices had recovered by close to a dollar for September
loading cargoes after a difficult three months brought on by
Chinese refinery maintenance, before suffering a slight drop
last week.
* With last month's cargoes clear, traders expect looming
marine fuel shipping rules to deliver big gains for heavy sweet
Angolan grades lke Girassol, Cabinda, Hungo, Mondo and Dalia.
* Heavy sweet Chadian crude grade Doba also continues to
attract strong interest for refining into bunker fuel, with
prices approaching a premium of $1 compared to dated Brent.
* Traders said Vitol took all three August-loading cargoes
of Doba, with at least one and possibly more bound for Fujairah,
a hub of refining overhauls geared toward IMO 2020 rules.
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