CHINA DATA: November crude imports from Oman hit fresh high at 1.25 million b/d, up 33% on year

Singapore — China's imports of Oman crude oil surged 63.7% in November to a record high of 5.1 million mt, or 1.25 million b/d, from October, making the producer the third-biggest crude supplier in the month, data from the General Administration of Customs, or GAC, showed on Dec. 26.

The previous high was at 4.16 million mt, or 983,101 b/d, in December 2019, GAC data showed.

The volume brought imports from Oman at 36.2 million mt in January-November, jumping 21.9% year on year.

Saudi Arabia returned to the top spot with a month-on-month increase of 42.8% in shipments delivered in November, at 8.48 million mt, or 2.07 million b/d.

These led crude imports from the Middle East to jump 15.9% year on year at 5.19 million b/d over the January-November period to take 47.1% market share compared with 44.3% in the same period last year.

Volume increase was also seen from North America, 137.7% on the year at 428,000 b/d in the period, making the region's market share gain 2.1 percentage points to 3.9% due to an 154.6% growth in US crude imports.

Crude imports from the US rebounded 122.2% from October at 3.61 million mt, or 882,451 b/d, in November.

The volume was 7% lower than the record high of 952,254 b/d imported in September.

Imports from Africa and South America fell 14.6% and 8.8%, respectively, at 1.56 million b/d and 1.25 million b/d in January-November, GAC data showed.

China's top crude suppliers ('000 mt):

Note: * include other suppliers

Source: General Administration of Customs