OREANDA-NEWS. May 25, 2011. China's crude oil processing volume hit 33.56 million metric tons in April this year, 4.9% more than in the same month of last year, according to the latest statistics figures from the National Development and Reform Commission.

In the first four months, the country processed a total of 136.21 million metric tons of crude oil, 8.2% more than in the corresponding period of 2010.

Last month, China produced 20.39 million metric tons of oil products, 6.8% more than in the same period of 2010. The output of oil products totaled 82.04 million metric tons in the first four months, up 8.6% year on year.

The country's output of diesel and fuel oil were 13.84 million metric tons and 1.76 million metric tons, up 9.3% and 16.6% year on year, respectively.

China's apparent consumption of oil products grew 8.3% year on year to 20.4 million metric tons last month, and increased 9% to 78.33 million metric tons in the first four months.

The NDRC said that China's crude oil output climbed 3.6% year on year to 16.79 million metric tons last month, and increased 5.3% year on year to 67.54 million metric tons in the first four months.

China, the world's second-largest oil consumer after the U.S., imported 21.54 million metric tons of crude oil in April, 1.75% more than in the same month of last year, according to the latest statistics released by the General Administration of Customs. The country's average import price of crude oil increased to USD108.57 per barrels last month, up 39.67% year on year or 8.93% month on month, due to rising international oil price, China Knowledge reported earlier.