Kuwait's crude oil exports to China

Kuwait's crude oil exports to China jumped 20.2 percent in December 2012 from a year earlier to 1.02 million tons, equivalent to around 242,000 barrels per day (bpd), for the second straight month of gain, official data showed Tuesday. The figure was the highest since August, when Kuwait's crude shipments to the world's second-biggest energy consumer hit 1.10 million tons (261,000 bpd), according to the General Administration of Customs. Kuwaiti share of Chinese crude oil imports reached 4.3 percent last month, compared to 3.9 percent the year before. Kuwait's exports to China in the full year 2012 totaled 10.49 million tons (210,000 bpd), up 9.9 percent on the year. China's overall imports of crude oil in December grew 8.0 percent year-on-year to 5.60 million bpd. Saudi Arabia remained China's top supplier with its shipments rising 6.8 percent from a year earlier to 1.05 million bpd, followed by Angola with 775,000 bpd, up 15.2 percent. Iran moved back up to third, with imports from the country rising 3.6 percent to 596,000 bpd. China, Iran's top oil buyer, imported Iranian crude oil to its second highest level last month, despite sanctions by the US and the EU on the Middle Eastern nation's oil sales.