Asia Fuel Oil-VLSFO premiums near 3-month low; thin window activity persists

Reuters
27 Feb
Asia Fuel Oil-VLSFO premiums near 3-month low; thin window activity persists

SINGAPORE, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Asia's very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) markets continued to move down south, with cash differentials extending losses amid lower window offers despite a lack of buying interest and no deals for the fourth session this week.

The March-April spreads on paper narrowed for a fourth straight session this week to $1 per ton as a reflection of prompt market weakness.

Several trade sources remained cautious on the outlook for VLSFO markets, pointing to worries of limited demand and sufficient supplies in March still expected for now.

Onshore fuel oil stockpiles in Singapore averaged at around 18.9 million barrels per week in February so far, down from January's average of 20.41 million barrels.

Meanwhile for high sulphur fuel oil, front-month paper prices were still being riled up by positive trading sentiment as evidenced from the steeper backwardation between March and April.

As a result, the hi-5 marker FO05-380SGMc1 continued to narrow and hover at multi-year lows of around $46 per ton.

Cash premiums for 380-cst HSFO FO380-SIN-DIF gained to a five-month high of slightly above $16 per ton, with upbeat window buying activity and a lack of offers supporting the market.

The March 380-cst HSFO crack FO380BRTCKMc1 was at a premium of 30 cents per barrel, while the VLSFO cracks slipped slightly to around $9 per barrel.

INVENTORY DATA

- U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell unexpectedly last week as refining activity ticked higher, while gasoline and distillate inventories posted surprise builds, the Energy Information Administration $(EIA)$ said on Wednesday. EIA/S

- Singapore onshore fuel oil stockpiles fell for a second week to around a three-month low, data showed on Thursday. O/SING1

OTHER NEWS

- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was reversing a license given to Chevron CVX.N to operate in Venezuela by his predecessor more than two years ago, accusing President Nicolas Maduro of not making progress on electoral reforms and migrant returns.

- BP BP.L slashed planned investment in renewable energy and said on Wednesday it would increase annual oil and gas spending to $10 billion, in a major strategy shift aimed at boosting earnings and investor confidence.

- Oil loadings from Russia's western ports in March are set to fall versus February after domestic refineries relaunched after maintenance but other plants hit by drones could spoil these expectations.

WINDOW TRADES O/AS

- 180-cst HSFO: No deal

- 380-cst HSFO: No deal

- 0.5% VLSFO: No deal

ASSESSMENTS

FUEL OIL

CASH ($/T)

ASIA CLOSE

CHANGE

PREV CLOSE

RIC

Cargo - 0.5% VLSFO

513.05

-8.83

521.88

MFO05-SIN

Diff - 0.5% VLSFO

0.25

-1.45

1.70

MFO05-SIN-DIF

Cargo - 180cst

481.35

8.40

472.95

FO180-SIN

Diff - 180cst

11.70

1.50

10.20

FO180-SIN-DIF

Cargo - 380cst

480.33

9.78

470.55

FO380-SIN

Diff - 380cst

16.35

3.10

13.25

FO380-SIN-DIF

Bunker (Ex-wharf) Premium - 380cst

12.00

3.00

9.00

Bunker (Ex-wharf) Premium - 0.5% VLSFO

3.50

-1.50

5.00

For a list of derivatives prices, please refer to ENSWAP/INFO or the RICs below:

180cst M1

FO180SGSWMc1

180cst M1/M2

FO180SGSDMc1

380cst M1

FO380SGSWMc1

380cst M1/M2

FO380SGSDMc1

0.5% VLSFO M1

LFO05FSGMc1

0.5% VLSFO M1/M2

LFO05FSGSMc1

Cracks 180cst-Brent M1

FO180BRTCKMc1

Cracks 180cst-Dubai M1

FO180SGCKMc1

Cracks 380cst-Brent M1

FO380BRTCKMc1

Cracks 380cst-Dubai M1

FO380DUBCKMc1

Cracks 0.5% VLSFO-Brent M1

LFO05SGBRTCMc1

Cracks 0.5% VLSFO-Dubai M1

LFO05SGDUBCMc1

Visco 180cst/380cst M1

FOVISSGDFMc1

Hi-5 0.5% VLSFO/380cst M1

FO05-380SGMc1

GoFo 10PPM/0.5% VLSFO M1

GO10FO05FSGMc1

East-West M1

FOSGEWMc1

Barges M1

HFOFARAAMc1

Barges M1/M2

HFOFARAASMc1

Crack Barges-Brent M1

HFOFARAACMc1

(Reporting by Trixie Yap; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

((trixie.yap@thomsonreuters.com;))

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