CHINA OIL IMPORTS UP

China's April imports of crude oil from Middle East suppliers rose 10% year on year to a record high of 16.61 million mt or 4.06 million b/d, led by Saudi Arabian supply, according to detailed data released Saturday by the General Administration of Customs.

The country's monthly crude imports from the Middle East were last higher in April 2014 at 3.69 million b/d.

Crude imports from OPEC producers also hit a record high in April of 4.54 million b/d, up 8% year on year.

China's overall April crude imports rose 8.6% year on year to 7.4 million b/d, preliminary customs data showed earlier this month.

It was the first time for China to surpass the US as the world's biggest importer of crude oil.

Russia moved up to China's second-largest supplier in April, with deliveries up 26.4% year on year to 770,447 b/d.

Iran rose to third place with 710,341 b/d, but the volume was down 11.6% from April 2014, when the inflow was at a record high of 803,152 b/d.

oilandgaseurasia.com