China crude imports hit record; gas imports in first fall in three years
China’s crude oil imports in October rose 11.5% from a year earlier to a record high, customs data showed, as new refineries bolstered demand and small independent plants maintained throughput amid steady refining margins.However, natural gas imports last month fell 10.6% from a year earlier, its first decline since November 2016, according to Reuters’ records of customs data.China, the world’s top oil importer, brought in 45.51 million tonnes of crude last month, equivalent to 10.72 million barrels per day (bpd), according to data released by the General Administration of Customs.That compared to 10.04 million bpd in September.Imports during the first 10 months of the year reached 414.55 million tonnes, or 9.95 million bpd, 10.5% higher th.....