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China's fuel stocks have fallen to their lowest levels in over a decade, causing concern over the return of export restrictions

According to GL Consulting, China's gasoline inventories and diesel stocks have?fallen?to their lowest levels for more than a decade due to a surge in exports and a seasonal recovery of domestic demand.

Rystad Energy reports that low stock levels have raised Beijing's concerns, which could lead to tighter controls on exports in October. GL Consulting expects October exports to drop as refiners prioritize domestic energy security.

According to data from GL Consulting, a consultancy that is owned by Mysteel (a leading commodity provider), commercial gasoline inventories are at their lowest levels since 2011. Diesel inventories, meanwhile, have?fallen down to their lowest level since 2015.

China does not publish fuel inventory data. GL Consulting, however, has records dating back to 2011.

Beijing, the world's largest crude oil importer, has imposed restrictions on fuel exports in mid-March after supply disruptions forced refiners into reducing runs.

China began to ease the restrictions by mid-July. Exports returned to prewar levels during August and are expected to continue their momentum into September. Refiners have made windfall profits and increased refinery runs.

China has not yet released its October fuel export plans to refiners.

Analysts have also reduced their estimates of China's fourth quarter crude imports, as Middle East supply disruptions continue to intensify. They expect the current refinery runs rates?to not be sustainable.

Energy Aspects' forecast for China’s fourth-quarter oil imports was lowered to 9.2 million barrels. Rystad Energy's fourth-quarter forecast for refinery throughput has been lowered by 880,000 barrels per day from its previous estimate.

Independent?refiners are being forced to reduce their run rates due to high crude prices. State-owned refiners are also in their maintenance season and cannot offset the production deficit," said Ye Lin, vice President at Rystad.

"The result is that the sector has little room for manoeuvre." Export restrictions could also lead to lower export margins. However, China needs to protect its domestic supply.

(source: Reuters)