tons, compared with 36.39 million tons in 2006, according to CNPC’s Petroleum Industry Overview, 2007-2008. Crude imports totalled 163 million tons, up 12.4% year-on-year, indicating that refiners were helping to meet some of the country’s demand. China’s economy grew by 11.4% in 2007, its fastest rate in 13 years. The apparent consumption of crude oil,…