China's crude oil imports ease from record, fuel exports fall
China shipped in 34.39 million tonnes of crude
oil last month, or about 8.37 million barrels per day (bpd), down
nearly 9 percent from March, according to data from China's General
Administration of Customs
China's crude oil imports eased in April from March's record high
as refiners processed less oil during a heavy maintenance season, while
exports of refined fuel fell by a quarter from a month earlier due to
quota reductions.
China shipped in 34.39 million tonnes of crude
oil last month, or about 8.37 million barrels per day (bpd), down nearly
9 percent from March, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs on Monday.
April's level was still up
5.5 percent from a year ago, while imports for the first four months of
the year rose 12.5 percent to 139.12 million tonnes, or 8.46 million
bpd.
"April looks more like a return to normal import level.
Imports will likely trend down further in the coming few months as
refinery maintenance season unfolds and teapots run out of import
quotas," said Harry Liu, analyst of consultancy IHS Markit.
