Reliance Sept crude imports rise 4.5 pct vs Aug-trade

* Reliance imports rise to 1.28 mln bpd vs 1.22 mln bpd Aug

* Neutral Zone top oil supplier in Sept vs No 3 year ago

* Reliance makes first ever purchase of Chinese Penglai grade

By Nidhi Verma

NEW DELHI, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Reliance Industries (RELI.BO: Quote, Profile, Research), owner of the world's biggest refining complex, increased crude oil imports slightly in September versus the month before, including its first ever purchase of Chinese Penglai, shipping data from trade sources showed on Wednesday.

Reliance imported about 1.279 million bpd crude in September, up from about 1.224 million bpd the month before and more than double the 574,000 bpd a year ago, the data showed.

Compared to a year ago the refiner stepped up imports from Angola, Iran and the Neutral Zone in September, making up for reduced shipments from top oil produces Saudi Arabia, which fell by around a quarter to 180,000 bpd last month, the detailed breakdown of tanker arrivals shows.

Last December, Reliance commissioned a new 580,000 bpd refinery next to its old 660,00 bpd plant at Jamnagar in western Gujarat, and it is operating the new unit at more than 100 percent capacity, executives have said.