CNPC keen to sign MoU with Bangladesh on oil and gas exploration

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) showed keen interest in cooperating with Bangladesh in its energy sector, particularly in oil and gas exploration in the country's sea and land sites, through striking a deal.
A delegation from the premier Chinese business house said they are interested to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh in this regard.

The CNPC team, led by its President Jiang Jiemin, expressed the willingness when they met with Prime Minister's Adviser Dr Toufiq-e-Elahi at his secretariat office. Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Xhang Xian Li was also present.
During the meeting, the Adviser appraised the delegation of government's determination for "energy security" and resolving problems in this sector. He mentioned that the government was taking short- and long-term plans to implement its determination and also sought CNPC's support in this regard.

The corporation chief informed the Adviser that the annual income of CNPC, which explores and develops natural gas and oil and refines crude oil at home and abroad, is $ 20 bn. The Adviser requested the delegation to submit a draft of the proposed MoU on behalf of its organization.
Earlier, the delegation met with State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adv Shamsul Haq Tuku. Energy Secretary Mohammad Mohsin was present.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought Chinese cooperation in building up Bangladesh as a modern and prosperous country, as her new government has adopted Vision-2021 for lifting the country on a higher plane of development. As a five-member delegation of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) led by its President Jiang Jiemin called on Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister Office, she said China can help Bangladesh to a great extent by sharing its experience and technology in building up Bangladesh as a developed country. She also sought China's cooperation in developing the country's gas and electricity sectors and called for more Chinese investment.
Hasina said, "Bangladesh has an investment-friendly environment, cheap but skilled manpower and here capital is also kept well protected."

The Chinese delegation highly praised the Prime Minister for the government's success in maintaining the country's inland law and order and hoped that under her leadership, Bangladesh would be able to achieve the cherished development. As the delegation invited the PM to visit China, she said after forming the government in 1996, her first trip was to Beijing. They hoped that the friendly relationship between the two countries would strengthen further in the days to come.
The Prime Minister said, "Bangladesh attaches due importance to the friendly bilateral relations with China."

Energy Adviser Dr Tofiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Xianyi, PMO secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman and Press Secretary to the PM Abul Kalam Azad were present.
CNPC is the largest integrated oil and gas company of China, an economic powerhouse of the present-day world. The petroleum corporation has exploration and production projects in China and 26 other countries, including operations in Azerbaijan, Canada, Indonesia, Iraq, Myanmar, Oman, Peru, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The Chinese giant also operates some older refineries and an extensive oil-and-gas- pipeline network in China. It also operates a network of 1,650 gas stations.
In 2007, CNPC reported estimated reserves of 3.1 bn tons of oil and 2.3 tcm of natural gas.