High Shipping Costs Deter Buyers of W. Africa Crude
Nigerian crude oil differentials held at two-year lows on Monday as demand remained subdued, partly due to high shipping costs from West Africa to Europe. Nearly half of the loading program for August, which originally had 65 cargos, was unsold on Monday. But traders said that demand might pick up temporarily later this week as traders placed cargoes for India Oil Company's import tender. High freight rates aboard suezmaxes to Europe are deterring shipments to refineries there, traders said. Rising exports of similar oil grades from Libya has also hurt demand. Libyan oil output has risen to 470,000 barrels per day (bpd) as the El Sharara oilfield ramps up, the state-run National Oil Corp (NOC) said on Sunday.
W.Africa Crude-Traders on Sidelines
West African oil differentials were unchanged on Friday, with traders on the sidelines as they assessed the impact of lower North Sea supply and awaited a clearer outlook for Libyan exports. The supply of North Sea crude that underpins the Brent benchmark will average 774,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May, according to loading schedules provided by trade sources on Friday, down from April. This was seen putting upward pressure on Nigerian differentials because oil from the two regions competes for customers. "We're waiting to see what the offers on the North Sea are like," a trader said. Crude oil futures prices fell earlier this week on hopes that Libyan supply would return. This would pressure West African grades because they are of a similar light, low-sulphur composition.
Husky Energy Increases Production
Husky Energy Inc. reported net earnings of $126 million ($0.29 per share) in the first quarter of 2002, compared with $192 million ($0.42 per share) in the same quarter of 2001. Cash flow from operations in the same period was $373 million ($0.87 per share), down from $620 million ($1.46 per share) in the first quarter of 2001. Results for 2001 have been restated to reflect the adoption of the recommendations of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants on foreign currency translation. lower natural gas prices in the quarter. heavy/light crude oil differentials and a lower income tax provision. “The first quarter of 2002 was significant for Husky. announced in March,” said John C.S. Lau, President & Chief Executive Officer.
