Kuwait's crude oil exports to China triple -- data

TOKYO, May 26 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's crude oil exports to China in April nearly tripled from a year earlier to 1.62 million tons, equivalent to 395,000 barrels per day (bpd), government data showed.
Surging 192.8 percent, Kuwaiti crude oil shipments to the world's second-biggest energy consumer marked the highest level since December on daily basis, when it recorded 1.73 million tons (408,000 bpd), according to the General Administration of Customs.
China's overall imports of crude oil rose 8.6 percent in April on the year to record high of 30.29 million tons (7.40 million bpd). Saudi Arabia remained the nation's top supplier in the reporting month, with its shipments growing 3.7 percent to 1.29 million bpd, followed by Russia with 771,000 bpd, up 26.4 percent. Iran became third but imports from the country fell 11.6 percent to 711,000 bpd. Angola ranked fourth and Iraq fifth, respectively.
State-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) signed a 10-year crude supply deal with China's top energy trader Unipec in August, the biggest-ever sales contract in KPC's history by volume and revenues in all regions. Under the landmark agreement, KPC supplies Unipec 300,000 bpd of crude oil, with a strong possibility of increasing the volume to 400,000 bpd. (end) mk.hb