Nigerian crude oil shipments are expected to rise in February, breaking a two-month decline, because of an increase in loadings from the Bonny Light and Bonga terminals, traders said on Thursday.
The February loading schedule is estimated at around 2.14 million barrels per day, up 90,000 bpd from the previous month.
Higher exports of Bonny Light Bonga and Yoho crudes will offset fewer shipments of Qua Iboe Forcados and Escravos.
Traders said there was growing concern of a resumption of violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta, which could further disrupt output and exports.
Militant groups say they are losing patience with peace talks launched in June by Nigeria’s new government.
Nigerian gunmen attacked an oil industry barge and a government building on Wednesday, briefly capturing 18 Filipino crew.
The EA terminal remains shut nearly a year after it was attacked by millitants. The nearby Forcados terminal is slowly returning to operations, loading at a small percentage of its normal capacity.
Forcados loadings were pegged at 98,000 bpd, down from 153,000 bpd in January.
Most of the crude continues to come from storage as major repairs are still needed throughout the Forcados energy complex.
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