Oil prices rose on Friday on signs of surging demand in China, the world’s second-biggest oil consumer, although the market was heading for a second week of losses on concern that trade wars were curbing economic activity and rising U.S. inventories.

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Benchmark Brent crude oil was up 20 cents a barrel at $79.49 by 0740 GMT. U.S. light crude was 15 cents higher at $68.80.

For the week, Brent crude was 1 percent lower while U.S. crude was down 3.5 percent, both on track for a second consecutive weekly decline.

Refinery throughput in China, the world’s largest oil importer, rose to a record high of 12.49 million barrels per day (bpd) in September as some independent plants restarted operations after prolonged shutdowns over the summer to shore up inventories, government data showed on Friday.

China’s refinery consumption may now be rising as several state-owned refiners return to service after maintenance.

Undermining sentiment were official figures showing China’s economic growth slowed in the third quarter to its weakest pace since the global financial crisis, with gross domestic product expanding by only 6.5 percent, missing estimates.

The data raised concerns that China’s trade war with United States was beginning to hit growth, which may limit oil demand.

Also denting confidence was evidence this week that U.S. oil inventories had risen sharply.

U.S. crude stocks last week climbed 6.5 million barrels, marking a fourth straight weekly build and almost triple the amount analysts had forecast, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

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