*Japanese crude import volumes of 2.73mn b/d for the first nine months of 2022 are up 13% year-on-year putting 2022 on track for the highest annual figure since 2019, albeit 1mn b/d below decade-ago levels.
*Middle East countries are on track for a record collective market share: the 9M 2022 figure of 94.0% is well up on 2021’s annual record of 92.7% (MEES, 4 February), with Q3 seeing a quarterly record of 95.9% (see table). (CONTINUED - 167 WORDS)
