Reuters reported that independent refineries in China, following a reduction in Iran’s oil supply, have increased purchases of Iraqi and Qatari crude oil for delivery in October and November.

Three sources familiar with these deals said Chinese refineries have bought at least 12 million barrels of Iraqi and Qatari crude. One of them estimated total purchases at between 15 and 20 million barrels.

Based on data from Kpler, China’s imports of Iranian oil in September fell to nearly half compared with September of the previous year, reaching 590,000 barrels per day, the lowest level since January 2023.

Kpler also said that in September, for the first time since monitoring oil flows from the country began in 2013, Iran exported no crude oil.

The volume of Iranian crude oil stored on tankers outside the area covered by the blockade also fell from 100 million barrels in late July to 45 million barrels.