North Sea Crude-Forties, Brent fall, sweeter grades underpinned

LONDON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Differentials for Forties and Brent fell on Wednesday after window deals. Sweeter grades Statfjord and Gullfaks firmed and Ekofisk held steady on the back of stronger gasoline and naphtha margins, traders said.

Prices for Forties and Brent are at an unusual parity despite Forties containing more sulphur. A larger than usual amount of Forties is heading to Asia in February, which has propped up the grade, traders said.

Gullfaks was heard offered at dated Brent plus $1.55 a barrel, up from offers last week at plus $1.40 a barrel. Statfjord was shown up some 10 cents a barrel at around dated Brent plus 70 cents a barrel.

DEALS

* Statoil (LSE: 0M2Z.L - news) sold a cargo of Brent to Glencore (Frankfurt: 8GC.F - news) at dated Brent minus 35 cents a barrel loading March 7-9.

* Statoil sold a cargo of Ekofisk at dated Brent plus 20 cents a barrel loading March 2-4.

OUTSTANDING

* Glencore bid for a cargo of Forties at dated Brent minus 35 cents a barrel loading March 5-10.

* Vitol offered a cargo of Forties at dated Brent minus 35 cents a barrel loading March 4-6.

* BP bid for a cargo of Ekofisk at dated Brent plus 25 cents a barrel loading March 10-12.

* Unipec offered a cargo of Ekofisk loading March 12-14 at dated Brent plus 35 cents a barrel. (Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by David Holmes)