Saudi Aramco: The Future of Oil and Gas - GineersNow Petroleum Saudi Aramco, The Future of Oil & Gas Industry | Page 17

China has been actively involved in various
oil & gas projects in Central Asia, particularly
in Kazakhstan, funding construction works
and supplying technology and equipment,
mostly to the upstream sector. Investing
in Central Asia’s energy industry is a key
component of China’s strategy to strengthen
its oil & gas sector to, first, meet domestic
energy demand and, then, export high-
value energy products to key markets of the
world.
China controls an estimated 20% of
Kazakhstan’s oil production, and has
participated in the construction of one of
the world’s most extensive oil pipelines,
stretching 2,300 km from the Caspian Sea
to Xinjiang province. The China National
Petroleum Corporation maintains a
significant stake in the Kashagan oil field
in the Caspian Sea, while other Chinese
companies control several strategic oil
fields around Aktobe, a city in the west of
Kazakhstan.
China also has a significant participation
in Kazakhstan’s most successful oil &
gas companies. Some of the regional
energy companies with Chinese holdings
include MangystauMunaiGaz, CNPC-
AktobeMunaiGas, KazGerMunay,
KarazhanbasMunay, PetroKazakhstan,
Buzachi Operating, Turgay Petroleum,
Caspian Petroleum Company, Kazakhoil
Aktobe, and KarakudukMunai.
Aside from Kazakhstan, China has also
become a significant customer and partner
for Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and
Kyrgyzstan. Regional energy companies,
such as Tajiktransgaz and Uzbekneftergaz
have signed agreements with China National
Petroleum Corporation to cooperate in
the construction of the Central Asia-China
Gas Pipeline that facilitates the delivery of
Central Asia’s gas resources to China.
Aside from Chinese oil & gas firms, Central
Asia has also attracted international oil
& gas majors to participate in geological
surveys, exploratory activities and other
energy-related processes. These include
ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Conoco and
Eni.
Oil & Gas Leaders • April 2017 15