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Swordfish have hit Angolan crude oil loadings before. LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Swordfish punctured part an oil loading pipe in Angola, causing a three-day halt to tanker shipments of Girassol crude, traders said on Feb. 1.

French oil company Total, which operates the crude stream declared force majeure on shipments, a suspension of supply obligations due to extraordinary circumstances, but lifted it on Monday.

"It was caused because of swordfish. Now the swordfish have passed so the force majeure has been lifted," said one trader, who buys the crude on regular basis.

Slight delays to cargo loadings scheduled in February and March were likely, traders said.

Girassol crude is produced from an offshore oilfield, with an average loading rate of about 250,000 barrels per day.

Swordfish have hit Angolan crude oil loadings before, including Plutonio last year, traders said.