BP and China National Petroleum corporation to expand global partnership

Framework agreement signed during state visit to UK

In an expansion of their ongoing global partnership, BP and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) today entered into a framework agreement on strategic cooperation covering potential shale gas exploration and production in the Sichuan Basin and future fuel retailing ventures in China and other international partnerships. 

“The success of our Rumaila oil field project in Iraq has convinced us that there are more opportunities for cooperation between CNPC and BP,” said Bob Dudley, BP Group Chief Executive. “This strategic partnership not only strengthens the relationship between the UK and China’s largest energy companies, it further cements the relationship between China and the UK as global business partners.”

The agreement was signed during President of The People’s Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping’s visit to the UK in the presence of President Xi and UK Prime Minister David Cameron.  It is expected to add several billion dollars in future trade to BP’s already significant business with China.

“CNPC and BP have enjoyed a longstanding, cooperative relationship involving projects both in and outside of China,” said Wang Yilin, CNPC Chairman. “This framework agreement on strategic cooperation will further facilitate our two companies’ joint efforts in exploring opportunities on a global scale, be conducive to enhancing cooperation, and take our strategic partnership to a new height.”

In addition to these agreements to explore opportunities within China, BP and CNPC have agreed to explore oil and LNG trading opportunities globally, work together on carbon emissions trading, and share knowledge around technology and management practices. 

“BP has been committed to doing business in China for more than 40 years and we’re pleased to expand a partnership that supports continued growth of the Chinese energy sector,” said Edward Yang, BP China President. “We expect China’s energy production to rise 47 percent and its consumption to grow 60 percent by 2035, making it the world’s largest energy importer. Through this agreement and others, BP is committed to being one of China’s preferred energy partners now and in the future.”

Further information

Contacts

BP press office, London: +44 (0)20 7496 4076, bppress@bp.com

BP press office, China: +86 (0)10 6589 3878, bpchinapress@bp.com

Notes to editors

• BP has been operating in China since the early 1970s. With an accumulated investment of current operations around US$ 4.5 billion by the end of March 2015, BP is one of the leading foreign investors in the Chinese oil and gas sector. BP’s business activities in China include petrochemicals manufacturing and marketing, aviation fuel supply, oil product and lubricant retailing, LNG terminal and pipelines and chemical technology licensing. Building on its business successes in China, BP has also expanded partnership relations with the national energy companies beyond the country’s borders. Further information about BP China is available on www.bp.com.cn.
• The Rumaila field in Iraq is one of the world’s largest oilfields and currently produces 1.3 million barrels of oil a day. In June of 2009, BP and CNPC were the sole winners in Iraq’s first post-war licensing round.
• BP also announced today an agreement with China Huadian Corporation under which BP will sell Huadian up to 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year worth up to $10 billion over the next 20 years.

Cautionary statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning BP's expectations regarding the expansion of its partnership with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), including expectations regarding the estimated level of future trade with China and future exploration, trading opportunities and cooperation between BP and CNPC; expectations regarding China’s future energy production and consumption; plans and expectations regarding future sales of LNG. Actual results may differ from those expressed in such statements, depending on a variety of factors including changes in public expectations and other changes to business conditions; the timing, quantum and nature of divestments; the receipt of relevant third-party and/or regulatory approvals; future levels of industry product supply; demand and pricing; OPEC quota restrictions; PSA effects; operational problems; regulatory or legal actions; economic and financial conditions generally or in various countries and regions; political stability and economic growth in relevant areas of the world; changes in laws and governmental regulations; exchange rate fluctuations; development and use of new technology; the success or otherwise of partnering; the actions of competitors, trading partners and others; natural disasters and adverse weather conditions; changes in public expectations and other changes to business conditions; wars and acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks or sabotage; and other factors discussed under “Principal risks and uncertainties” in our Stock Exchange Announcement for the period ended 30 June 2015 and under "Risk factors" in our Annual Report and Form 20-F 2014.