China major fuel stocks up 2.4 pct in Dec - source

BEIJING Jan 11 (Reuters) - Combined stocks of gasoline, diesel and kerosene held by China's top two oil companies rose by 2.4 percent in December from November despite an 8.7 percent rise in domestic sales, an industry official with knowledge of the data told Reuters on Monday.

The rise in refined fuel inventories held by PetroChina (0857.HK) and Sinopec (0386.HK), the second stock build after three consecutive months of decline, came as the world's second-largest oil-consuming nation imported a record amount of crude in Decemeber.

"The stock rise is mainly due to robust production rates of oil firms, which exceeds domestic demand and exports," the industry source said.

China's monthly crude oil imports leapt above 20 million tonnes for the first time ever in December, reaching 21.26 million tonnes, up almost a quarter from November, according to Customs data published on Sunday.

Gasoline stocks rose 1.7 percent while diesel rose 4.5 percent, the source said, without giving specific levels.

Sales of the two fuels all increased during the month. Gasoline sales rose 2.4 percent in December to about 5.5 million tonnes, while diesel sales jumped 12.9 percent to 13.2 million tonnes, the source said.

The source declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. (Reporting by Eadie Chen and Chen Aizhu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) (eadie.chen@reuters.com; +8610 6627 1268; Reuters Messaging: eadie.chen.reuters.com@reuters.net))