LONDON, May 3 (Reuters) - Total won a tender for a WestAfrican grade by Indian state oil company IOC which closed onThursday and will send a VLCC.
Angolan crude continued to sell well as cargoes for Junedwindled, while Nigerian oil looks set to receive a boost fromEuropean gas cracks and the onset of the summer driving seasonin the United States.
ANGOLA
* Only a handful of the 43 Angolan crude cargoes for Juneloading remained.
* Despite around a $1 increase on offers for most gradesfrom last month due to an initial shortage, Angolan oil hastraded well as heavier oils have been met with higher demand.
* Total sold a cargo of the new crude grade Mostarda fromthe Kaombo Sul offshore field and was marketing another.
NIGERIA
* Robust Asian demand throughout the month while Europeangasoline refining margins have been on the rise, lending supportto Nigerian grades which are lighter.
* The United States imported 142,000 barrels of Nigeriancrude in the week ending April 26, according to the U.S. EnergyInformation Administration, a weekly rise of 75,000 barrels asthe onset of the summer driving season looms.
* Royal Dutch Shell declared force majeure on Monday onexports of Nigeria's Bonny Light crude after the closure of oneof two export pipelines. Amenam, operated by oil major TotalTOTF.PA, was also heard to be under force majeure.
* Traders said the issues had lead to an unexpectedly shortloading delay of around 4-5 days.
* Offer levels for June loading on major grade Qua Iboe wasstill high at around dated Brent plus $2.50.
TENDERS
* Total will supply India's IOC with a VLCC of West Africancrude, but the grades were not immediately clear.
* Traders said IOC will purchase two other Suezmax cargoesof crude but further details were unavailable.
RELATED NEWS
* Nigerian state oil company NNPC said that 132 companieshad bid for the right to swap the nation's crude oil for fuelsas a tender for the deals closed on Thursday.
* Saudi Arabia's oil output may edge up in June, sourcesfamiliar with the kingdom's policy said, but the extra crude maybe used for domestic power generation rather than providing theboost to exports that Washington has been seeking.
(Reporting by Noah Browning;Editing by Alexander Smith)))
