*The US exported a record 3.383mn b/d of crude in October with a record 2.893mn b/d of that heading overseas, according to latest Census Bureau data released 5 December (see chart). A record 1.299mn b/d of that made its way to Europe with France taking a record 214,000 b/d, the UK 249,000 b/d and the Netherlands (likely including some volumes destined for Germany) 421,000 b/d.
*The previous month saw a record 518,000 b/d load for Japan as the country rushed to snap up rival light crude grades as supplies of its key Saudi Extra Light slumped with the 14 September attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq processing plant (MEES, 6 December). Arab Extra Light comes from the Shaybah field which relies on Abqaiq for processing. (CONTINUED - 289 WORDS)
