Some West African crude oil differentials narrowed on Thursday, on improved demand from Western buyers.

Some margins are improving, particularly for barrels going west, said one trade source. For those going east, they are little changed, due to steep backwardation and other grades such as from the Persian Gulf remaining cheaper, they said.

Tenders coming up include Indian Oil Corp. and Pertamina, with offers on hold until then.

Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd. snapped up Nigeria’s Forcados and Angola’s Nemba in a tender earlier this week.

July loadings are seeing single-digit volumes for Angolan grades, with new programs expected Monday.
Source: Reuters