W.Africa Crude - Market participants watch supply disruptions in other regions

- West African crude oil differentials were stable on Wednesday as market participants weighed supply disruptions in other regions and their possible impact on West African grades.

  • Earlier this week, traders said that some grades were being offered at higher levels.

  • Oil markets are contending with renewed supply concerns in the Middle East, after the Iran-aligned Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, adding a new front in the Red Sea to the U.S. war with Iran after the months-long closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already roiled oil markets this year.

  • Kazakh light sour CPC Blend disruptions bring West African and North Sea "firmly into play" in the Mediterranean, Kpler analysts said in a note.

  • However, West African grades might find competition in the Mediterranean from Libyan supplies, one trader added.

  • The Dangote refinery's restart should help tighten up a relatively weak West African crude market, Sparta Commodities analyst Aaron Kildow said.

  • Nigeria's Dangote refinery has been undergoing maintenance work since July 10 due to issues with a steam generator, Kpler said, reducing run rates at its crude-processing and gasoline-producing units.