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Asia's petroleum imports stage modest recovery in August: Russell

Asia's imports of petroleum lifted in August from the twoyear low in July as topimporting heavyweights China, India, South Korea and Japan generated more barrels.

Overall imports for August are expected to be 26.74 million barrels per day (bpd), up from July's 24.56 million bpd, according to information compiled by LSEG Oil Research.

While a 2.18 million bpd increase appears large, it's worth noting that July's imports were the weakest since the exact same month in 2022, and that the August total is still only the fifth-highest out of the eight months so far in 2024.

The healing in August arrivals is mainly due to a 1.05 million bpd increase in China, the world's most significant crude importer.

China's August imports are estimated by LSEG at 11.02 million bpd, up from July's official custom-mades variety of 9.97 million bpd, which was the lowest every day because September 2022.

China's refineries tend to increase unrefined purchases in the 3rd quarter in order to develop stockpiles of refined items to fulfill peak winter season demand.

Nevertheless, August's imports are likewise most likely to have been boosted by the lower international oil costs that dominated when the freights would have been set up.

Benchmark Brent futures remained in a drop from the high up until now of $92.18 a barrel on April 12, to a low of $76.76. on June 4, a time window that would have accompanied the. purchase of cargoes for August shipment into Asia.

After the June low, unrefined prices rallied to a high of $87.95. a barrel by July 5, before softening again to end at $78.46 on. Wednesday.

It remains to be seen whether the boost in rates in July. will translate into weaker imports in September in the. typically more cost delicate importers such as India and. China.

India's August imports showed only a modest increase from. July, with LSEG approximated Asia's second-biggest crude buyer,. brought in 4.83 million bpd, up from July's 4.58 million bpd.

The monsoon season is likely to have actually suppressed some cravings. among India's refiners, and export-focused plants might also have. been worried about the soft regional demand for products such. as gas and diesel.

South Korea, Asia's third-biggest oil importer, is forecast. to land 2.84 million bpd in August, up from 2.65 million in July. and 2.49 million in June.

Fourth-ranked Japan is expected to see imports of 2.39. million bpd in August, up 26% from July's 1.90 million bpd and. the greatest month given that April.

Both of these established North Asian economies tend to. increase imports in the third quarter in order to lift item. stocks ahead of winter season.

SAUDI SUPPLY GAIN

On the supply side, Saudi Arabia saw some recovery in. August, with LSEG estimating Asia's imports from the world's. greatest exporter were 4.89 million bpd, up from 4.60 million bpd. in July and 4.63 million in June.

Demand for Saudi oil may have been boosted by Saudi Aramco's. decision to reduce its main selling prices (OSPs) for. August-loading freights, with the premium for its benchmark Arab. Light grade dropping 60 cents from July to $1.80 a barrel above. Oman/Dubai quotes.

Asia's imports from Russia slipped to 3.60 million bpd in. August from 3.71 million bpd in July and 4.19 million bpd in. June, mostly due to the fact that India took fewer cargoes.

India's imports of Russian oil are estimated at 1.73 million. bpd in August, down from 1.94 million in July, while arrivals. from the United States rose to 360,000 bpd from 190,000 bpd in. July.

This is likely a reflection of the discount of U.S. crudes. such as West Texas Intermediate to those priced against Brent or. against Middle East standards such as Oman and Dubai.

Asia's overall imports from the United States are expected to. increase to 1.86 million bpd in August from 1.65 million bpd in. July, making it the fifth-largest provider of crude to the. area behind Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and. Iraq.

The viewpoints expressed here are those of the author, a writer. .

(source: Reuters)