AUSTRALIA DATA: Dec light distillate stocks edge down MOM amid higher LPG exports

Australia's stocks of light distillates -- which comprise LPG and gasoline but exclude naphtha -- fell 1.5% month over month to 8.998 million barrels in December, amid higher LPG exports, the latest preliminary data from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water showed.

On a year-over-year basis, inventories fell 4% in December.

Australia's exports of light distillates rose 76.7% month over month and 26.7% year over year to 2.995 million barrels in December, with the majority consisting of LPG.

Meanwhile, the country's imports of light distillates rose 41.5% month over month and 18.8% year over year to 7.96 million barrels in December, with the bulk consisting of gasoline.

Higher LPG exports

Australia's LPG stocks fell 17.9% month over month to 323.6 megaliters in December, amid a rise in exports and despite increased production, the data showed.

The country's LPG exports rose 76.9% month over month and 26.9% year over year to 476.2 megaliters in December, with Japan receiving the largest share at 211.9 megaliters, followed by Indonesia at 85.4 megaliters and Singapore at 79.4 megaliters.

Australia produced 495 megaliters of LPG in December, up 33.1% month over month and 11% year over year.

The country's LPG sales fell 1.4% month over month but rose 5.7% year over year to 111.5 megaliters in December, with 79.1% of the total sold for non-automotive purposes.

Gasoline imports rise

Australia's gasoline stocks rose 4.6% month over month to 6.96 million barrels in December, amid a rise in imports, the data showed.

Gasoline imports surged 55.9% month over month to 7.95 million barrels in December, with 3.28 million barrels coming from Singapore.

The increase in gasoline inflows came amid year-end festivities, a period typically marked by higher driving activity.