CHINA Petrochemical Corp, the nation's largest refiner, increased crude oil processing 5.4 percent in the first 10 months to meet demand in the world's fastest-growing major economy.

Oil refining reached 137.27 million metric tons, boosting fuel output by 4.9 percent to 81.65 million tons, Sinopec Group, as China Petrochemical is known, said in a statement in its in-house newsletter Sinopecnews yesterday. Fourth-quarter processing will rise to more than 42 million tons as the refiner expands diesel output at the expense of jet fuel. Oil refining will reach 14.5 million tons in December, the company said, without giving the year-earlier comparison. Refineries will keep stockpile levels low, it said. Sinopec Group will gradually stop rationing fuel sales at filling stations, the company said.