Ongoing coronavirus lockdowns impacting Chinese demand China also diversifying crude imports from other suppliers Further expanding energy cooperation is set to be high up the agenda when Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping meet in Uzbekistan Sept. 15-16, given Russia’s urgent need to find new destinations for its oil and gas exports as Western sanctions close off its previous markets. This year has already seen Russia-China energy cooperation increase significantly. Oil and gas deliveries to China have risen since Russia’s invasion began in February, and new supply and infrastructure deals were signed a few weeks before Russia’s invasion was launched. S&P Global Commodity Insights estimates that China’s crude imports from Russia averaged 1.82 million b/d in January-July, 6.4% higher than in the same period of 2021. China has been happy to […]