Kuwait's crude oil exports to China up 37.5 pct

TOKYO, May 24 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's crude oil exports to China in April surged 37.5 percent from a year earlier to 1.63 million tons, equivalent to around 397,000 barrels per day (bpd), government data showed.
Kuwaiti shipments of crude oil to China exceeded 300,000 bpd level for the second month in a row, according to the General Administration of Customs.
China's overall imports of crude oil last month rose 5.6 percent on the year to 8.4 million bpd. Russia remained the nation's top supplier, though its shipments fell 1.9 percent to 1.15 million bpd, followed by Angola with 1.12 million bpd, down up 15.0 percent. Saudi Arabia became third, with imports from the kingdom shrinking 3.8 percent to 967,000 bpd. Oman ranked fourth and Iraq fifth, respectively.
China drastically increased the quota for non-state crude imports last year as it seeks to attract more private capital in the largely-monopolized sector. These private refiners are with relatively small capacities, ranging from 20,000 bpd to 100,000 bpd. (end) mk.hb