North Sea Crude-Forties firms slightly, programmes emerge

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) - North Sea Forties differentials edged higher on Thursday as a supply overhang continued to clear while the price of Oseberg eased slightly.

* The amount of North Sea crude oil held on ships in northwest Europe has fallen to about 7.5 million barrels from 10 million barrels last week, Reuters shipping data showed on Thurday.

* The Forties loading programme for May will rise slightly to 23 cargoes, up from 22 in April. The May Ekofisk programme will also rise by one cargo to 14.

* Traders said the release of the Brent programme was delayed and may not surface until Monday.

WINDOW SUMMARY

* There were no trades in the window.

FORTIES

* Eni (LSE: 0N9S.L - news) offered a cargo of Forties at dated Brent plus 15 cents a barrel for loading April 25-27.

* Shell (LSE: RDSB.L - news) bid for a cargo of Forties at dated Brent minus 10 cents a barrel, loading April 17-23.

* Unipec bid for a cargo of Forties at dated Brent minus 5 cents a barrel, loading April 13-16.

* Gunvor withdrew an offer for Forties at dated Brent flat.

OTHER GRADES

* BP offered a cargo of Ekofisk at dated Brent plus 40 cents a barrel, loading April 20-22.

* Statoil (LSE: 0M2Z.L - news) offered a cargo of Oseberg at dated Brent plus 50 cents a barrel, loading April 12-14.

* PetroIneos bid for a cargo of Ekofisk at dated Brent plus 20 cents a barrel, loading April 20-28. (Reporting By Julia Payne; Editing by David Goodman)