LOC12:38
09:38 GMT
TOKYO, Oct 17 (KUNA) -- China's crude oil imports in September rose 11.9 percent from a year earlier to 37.01 million tons, or 9.05 million barrels a day (bpd), government data showed on Tuesday.
Imports also grew 12.6 percent on daily basis from August's shipments of 8.04 million bpd, the General Administration of Customs said.
Crude oil imports by the world's second-largest oil consumer in the January-September period increased 12.6 percent from the same period of 2016 to 8.54 million bpd.
In 2015, China began to allow local independent refineries, known as "teapot" refiners, to import crude oil as part of its energy reforms. Qualified local refineries are allowed to import crude oil if they cut backward capacity or install natural gas storage facilities.
These private refiners are with relatively small capacities, ranging from 20,000 bpd to 100,000 bpd. (end)
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