LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - North Sea Forties crude firmed onThursday despite extra supply coming soon and weakening demanddue to lacklustre margins.
* The chief executive of the world's biggest oil trader,Vitol, told Reuters he expects a weaker oil price in the shortterm but does not see sustained levels below $50 a barrel.
* Equinor on Thursday launched a $5 billion sharebuyback and said its Johan Sverdrup oilfield, the largest NorthSea discovery in more than three decades, will come on stream inOctober, a month earlier than planned, lifting its shares.
* Exxon Mobil has agreed to sell its Norwegian oiland gas assets for up to $4 billion, marking the U.S. firm'sexit from production in the country after more than a century,three sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
PLATTS WINDOW
* Forties: Litasco offered a cargo at dated Brent flat abarrel loading Sept. 16-18.
* Forties: PetroIneos bid at dated Brent plus 40 centsloading Sept. 30 to Oct. 7.
* Brent Blend: BP withdrew a bid for a cargo at dated Brentminus 10 cents loading Sept. 24-26.
* Forties: BP withdrew a bid at dated Brent minus 10 centsloading Sept. 25-27.(Reporting By Julia Payne; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
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