摘要
CNPC may start deepwater oil and gas exploration after 2015 when some deepwater facilities become available, a company engineer said recently.
CNPC may start deepwater oil and gas exploration after 2015 when some deepwater facilities become available, a company engineer said recently. “CNPC has some blocks in Africa and the Middle East, but they are still at the beginning stages,” the engineer added. The exploration of some overseas offshore blocks acquired before the financial crisis were basically halted because of the crisis and a lack of equipment. CNPC had also carried out some exploration in the South China Sea and further progress was subject to government policy, diplomatic efforts and geopolitics. CNPC, which operates its core business via listed PetroChina, Asia＇s largest oil and gas producer, secured a US$30-billion State loan in September 2009 to fund overseas expansion as Beijing seeks to secure resources for the world＇s fastest-growing major economy. Meanwhile, Sinopec recently also expressed it would drill its first deepwater well next year in the South China Sea. The company has started a 3D seismic survey of 1,250 square kilometers in the Qiongdongnan basin and will drill in the areas with the best prospects. Though Sinopec has been licensed to conduct exploration operation for more than 8,000 square kilometers in：the basin;, including some areas disputed by Vietnam, it will only survey in undisputed areas.
