Saudi Aramco Aims to Become China`s Top Oil Supplier in 2019

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Saudi Aramco is targeting to supply 1.67 million b d of crude oil to China in 2019 — a volume that will help OPEC`s leading producer return as China`s top crude supplier. China will also become Saudi Arabia`s single largest crude buyer.

Aramco signed five new crude oil supply agreements with five Chinese customers in Shanghai in early November during the first China International Import Expo. which will help take the company`s total 2019 term supply volume to 1.67 million b d. Aramco said in a newsletter released on Wednesday.

`The new supply contracts make it very likely that Saudi Aramco next year will become China`s largest supplier. a position it held from 2006 until 2016.` Aramco said in the newsletter.

`In the fourth quarter of 2018. Saudi Aramco`s crude exports to China are marking a new record of 1.6-1.7 million b d. The new 2019 COSA [crude oil supply agreement] volumes will ensure that Saudi Aramco`s crude sales to China stay at these levels. well ahead of all other major suppliers.` the state-owned oil company said.

Saudi Arabia`s crude supply to China fell 0.2% year on year to an average of 1.03 million b d in the first three quarters of 2018. data from China`s General Administration of Customs showed. The highest year-to-date supply was recorded in February 2012 at 1.39 million b d. GAC data showed.

As the second largest crude supplier. Saudi Arabia`s crude arrivals totaled at 924.552 b d in September. 70% lower than the 1.66 million b d from Russia. according to GAC data.

The five Chinese companies that Saudi Aramco Overseas signed 2019 crude oil supply agreements with are the trading arms of state-owned CNPC. Sinochem. CNOOC. NORINCO and independent refiner Hengli Petrochemical. according to the newsletter.

The total volume in the five agreements is 623.000 b d. This is up 97.000 b d from term volumes inked with these companies for 2018.

SAO also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CNOOC for an optional 100.000 b d additional supply. bringing the total signed volume to 723.000 b d.