China’s oil demand went up by 1.1% in October compared to the same month last year, S&P Global Platts said.
The country’s apparent demand reached 11.12million barrels a day that month, according to analysis of Chinese government data.
It was the first time since June that year-on-year growth had been recorded.
Platts said: “Going into the end of the year, gasoil demand in China appears to have strengthened in some parts particularly for lower pour point diesel in the north as the weather gets colder in winter.
“The government has poured more investment into infrastructure while there are indications that construction activity has ticked up.”
Demand during the first 10 months of 2016 was still down 1.4% on the previous year.
China also became a net exporter of key oil products for the first time in October, with average net exports of 4,000 b/d during the month.
Song Yen Ling, senior analyst with Platts China Oil Analytics, said: “Gasoil exports will remain strong in November and December but are unlikely to hit the record high level seen in September when outflows reached nearly 400,000 b/d.”
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