US crude exports continue to tap new markets boosted by the start up of additional pipeline capacity linking the key Permian shale basin with the Gulf coast. September exports of 3.09mn b/d were second only to June's 3.16mn b/d all time high. Some 52% of US seaborne exports for the first nine months of 2019 have headed long-haul to Asia (see data, MEES, 8 November). South Korea with 372,000 b/d has usurped China as the top destination. But for September Japan was number one with a record 518,000 b/d.
Amid a rumbling on-off trade dispute, China volumes are well down on 1H18's 377,000 b/d, though they have still averaged over 200,000 b/d for each of the last five months. For September a record 248,000 b/d also sailed for Hong Kong, implying a 'China' total of 449,000 b/d, the second highest on record. Other September 2019 records were Israel with 139,000 b/d, the UAE with 219,000 b/d and Turkey with 47,000 b/d. (CONTINUED - 160 WORDS)