North Sea and U.S. WTI Midland crude differentials were steady on Friday in an absence of liquidity in the Platts window.

Cross northwest Europe freight rates for Aframax voyages, carrying an 80,000 metric ton cargo,hit their highest since Jun. 2 on Friday at World Scale 145, according to data from broker Riverlake on the LSEG Eikon terminal.

That equates to $1.14 a barrel, based on Reuters estimations.

Rising geopolitical risks from the escalating conflict in the Middle East has boosted freight rates, sources said.

Demand for North Sea grades in Europe is sluggish because of lower refining margins for lighter crudes, one trading source said.

PLATTS WINDOW

Indications are on a free-on-board (FOB) basis unless marked as cost, insurance and freight (CIF) or delivered at place (DAP).

No deals, a trade source said.

North Sea grades: no pricing indications, the source said.

WTI Midland: no pricing indications, the source said.

On Thursday, Occidental had offered a Nov. 6-10 cargo at dated Brent plus $2.85 CIF Rotterdam, well above the lowest offer made on Wednesday.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Robert Harvey; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)