*Thailand’s first half 2020 crude import stats show a continuation of a trend already in evidence last year, as the kingdom widens its supplier base at the expense of Middle East supplies (MEES, 31 January). The 1H 2020 Middle East share of the Thai market was just 48.2% of total 1.07mn b/d imports (up 3.5%), down from a 63.3% share a year earlier. Absolute Middle East volumes are down 138,000 b/d at 514,000 b/d (see table).
*But whilst this big-picture trend is clear, recent months have seen wild swings in volumes as the affects of Covid-19 on demand, oil prices, and Opec policy played out. (CONTINUED - 243 WORDS)
