The differentials of West African crude oil remained broadly stable on Tuesday, at The approach of Christmas holidays, in a context of low market activity for cash. However, operators focused their attention on the programs. of loading from Nigeria for the month of February, which signal a resumption of exported volumes.

According to the programs Viewed by Reuters, the exports of four major crudes Nigerians — Qua Iboe, Bonny Light, Bonga, and Forcados — are scheduled to be around 922,000 barrels per day in February, an increase of about 17% compared to in the previous month. This increase comes at a time when the actors of the Market assess the balance between regional supply and demand international at the beginning of the year.

In addition, the demand Asian has remained present. During a recent tender, the company Indian Oil Corp. (IOC) has acquired shipments of Rabi crude oil from Gabon, as well as Angolan crudes Kissanje and Nemba. These purchases are in addition to shipments of Nigerian crudes Utapate and Akpo, already reported at the beginning of week.

Despite these transactions, the crude spot market West Africa has remained sluggish since the start of the week, as the holiday season, according to a trader. No buy orders, no offers or Transactions were not recorded on Tuesday in the Platts window for crudes of the region, confirmed a source in the sector.