The figures suggest China will become a far more influential player in the oil market and in the oil-rich Middle East, the IEA says.
China is an energy superpower second only to the United States.
Meeting its energy needs is one of the most difficult challenges China will face. The IEA estimates that there is a shortfall of about 2.5 million barrels a day and warns that if prices don't fall soon, buyers will be encouraged to switch to other energy sources. Mr Priddle did not recommend a supply figure that would reduce prices. However, he said an extra 500,000 to 1 million barrels a day were needed to balance supply and demand in the April-June period, with supplementary levels required to make up the shortfall in reserves. The IEA released a report on Monday on China's energy situation and forecast that Chinese imports will rise to 8 million barrels a day in 2020, roughly three times China's own estimates.