North Sea Crude-Ekofisk falls to weakest this year, sets dated Brent

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) -

* Ekofisk traded at its weakest differential this year, making it the cheapest benchmark grade and the one which sets the value of dated Brent.

* Forties was steady. Total (LSE: 524773.L - news) was again offering cargoes of Forties from floating storage, without finding buyers. Such offers are often seen as a sign of a weak market.

* North Sea differentials have come under pressure from ample supply and lacklustre buying interest, say traders. North Sea output is scheduled to rise in July from June.

WINDOW SUMMARY:

* Ekofisk: Statoil (LSE: 0M2Z.L - news) sold to Vitol a cargo loading on July 1-3 at dated Brent minus 20 cents, down 20 cents from Tuesday's offer. That was the weakest differential since December 2015, according to Reuters data.

The Ekofisk quality premium for July is about 60 cents, so this makes Ekofisk the cheapest benchmark grade and the one which sets dated Brent.

* Forties: Total offered a Forties for loading June 25-30 from the VLCC Maran Thetis at a discount of $1.60 to cash August BFOE, the same as on Tuesday.

* Statoil offered a Forties loading on July 3-5 at dated Brent minus 30 cents, 5 cents lower than on Tuesday, and then withdrew the offer.

* Brent: Gunvor bid at dated Brent minus 60 cents, meaning Brent is unchanged. (Reporting by Alex Lawler; editing by David Clarke)