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China to set commercial crude oil reserve inventory

TOKYO, Jan 28 (KUNA) -- China will set a minimum inventory level for commercial crude oil to keep the domestic oil market stable, the country's top economic planner said on Wednesday.
All crude oil refineries must keep their crude oil inventories above 15 days' average processing level, and no less than 10 days' deposits if international crude oil prices exceed USD 130 per barrel, according to a guideline issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and carried by Xinhua News Agency. Refineries should meet the minimum inventory level within a year, while the deadline for enterprises with limited stock capacity is three years, said the guideline.
The new rule aims to address short term crude oil shortages and brace against international market fluctuation, it said, adding commercial crude oil reserves will be held in case of natural disasters or emergencies.
The world's biggest oil importer's commercial crude oil stocks were down 3.89 percent at the end of December from a month before, while stocks of refined oil products dropped 4.02 percent. (end) mk.gb