China Quietly Boosts Oil Reserves Amid Global Market Fluctuations
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, China’s oil storage capacity is on the rise as the nation quietly increases its reserves. In November, China’s domestic oil production reached 4.31 million barrels, complemented by daily imports of approximately 12.43 million barrels. Refineries processed an average of 14.86 million barrels daily.
These figures indicate a surplus of 1.88 million barrels per day available for storage. All figures represent increases compared to both October 2025 and November 2024, suggesting robust demand within the world’s largest crude oil importer. Refinery throughput rates in China increased by 3.9 percent compared to November 2024 but experienced a slight decrease from October 2025.
While domestic oil production saw a rise from October, the increase was marginal, moving from 4.24 million barrels per day. However, crude oil imports in November reached a 27-month high, marking an 8.7 percent increase from October.
Since March, China has been consistently augmenting its oil reserves, averaging a daily rate of 980,000 barrels over the first 11 months of the year. This accumulation began after withdrawals from reserves in January and February, when the gap between imports plus domestic production and refinery activity rates narrowed to 30,000 barrels per day.
Reports indicate that China has been leveraging low oil prices to replenish its storage tanks and is simultaneously constructing new facilities to expand its overall storage capacity. A total of 11 new storage sites are slated for completion this year and next, contributing an aggregate capacity of approximately 169 million barrels.
