China's crude oil imports up 1.3 percent

TOKYO, Oct 13 (KUNA) -- China's crude oil imports grew 1.3 percent in September from a year earlier to 27.95 million tons, or 6.83 million barrels a day (bpd), government data showed Tuesday.
Imports also rose 8.6 percent on daily basis from August's 6.29 million bpd, according to the data, released by the General Administration of Customs.
Crude oil imports in the January-September period increased 8.8 percent from the same period of 2014 to 6.68 million bpd.
According to the "Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook" report released last week by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), China continues to be the main driver of non-Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) oil consumption growth, despite the slowdown in the country's economic growth beginning in the second half of 2014 and with continuing signs of weakening in its economy.
China's consumption growth is expected to average 0.3 million bpd in 2015 and in 2016, below the 0.4 million bpd growth in 2014, the EIA, the statistical agency within the Department of Energy projects. (end) mk.ss