Med Crude-Azeri slides, Urals holds steady

* Azeri weakens to dated plus 55 cents

* Urals offered at dated minus 25 cents in NWE

LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - Azeri Light crude differentials fell sharply on Friday in part due to higher freight rates, market sources said, while solid demand underpinned the value of Russian sour crude Urals.

"Demand is OK, especially on the prompt," a Urals trader said. "I personally believe the market is strong."

Differentials for the Russian grade are still within sight of a seven-year high reached in May, according to Reuters data BFO-URL-NWE.

CASPIAN GRADES

* Azeri Light differentials fell as freight rates rose.

Chevron sold a July 5-9 cargo to BP at dated plus 55 cents, dealers said. That was down from indications earlier this week at around dated plus $1.00.

As well as higher freight rates, market sources said demand for cargoes loading in early July may be fairly limited and more buyers may be looking to purchase barrels for loading later in the month.