Differentials for Nigerian crude oil were largely steady on Friday as Forcados loadings were paused, while production outages worldwide augured well for the value of deals.

Shell suspended loadings on the crude oil stream after signs of a possible leak on Wednesday.

Traders noted the stream, due to load 220,000 bpd in July and slightly more in August, has suffered months of loading problems and viewed the outlook of a speedy resumption as unclear.

Production issues in Kazakhstan, Kurdistan, Libya and Mexico were seen boosting differentials for competing Nigerian grades in the near future.

Still, offers for Nigerian light sweet crude stayed at around dated Brent plus $2 for Bonny Light and Qua Iboe for the second day, traders said.

Light sweet Nigerian Escravos was offered for around dated Brent plus $2.50.

Around six cargoes of August-loading Angolan crude had yet to be sold, in a relatively slow-selling month ahead of export plans for September due out early next week.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Noah Browning; editing by Barbara Lewis)