Robust oil demand in Asia has supported the bullish sentiment on the oil market in recent weeks, but the higher oil prices may cool off crude purchases from the world’s most important oil-importing region. Asian, and in particular Chinese, oil imports have been strong since the start of the year. But signs have already emerged that no crude buying spree will occur in the second quarter with oil prices above $60 eating into refining margins, and with planned maintenance at Chinese refineries beginning in March and April. The rally in the oil futures market and the bullishness of investors in the paper market are currently stronger than the actual physical crude oil market and pricing for cargoes going to China and other countries in Asia, Reuters columnist Clyde Russell notes . China’s Imports Could Slow Down In Q2 Granted, the world’s top oil importer, China, significantly boosted its crude […]