China's oil giant Sinopec Group has signed a US$70 billion oil and natural
gas agreement with Iran, which is China's biggest energy deal with the No. 2
OPEC producer.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed Thursday, Sinopec Group will buy
250 million tons of liquefied natural gas over 30 years from Iran and develop
the giant Yadavaran field.
Iran is also committed to export 150,000 barrels per day of crude oil to
China for 25 years at market prices after commissioning of the field.
Iran's oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh, who is on a two-day visit to Beijing
pursuing closer ties, said Iran is China's biggest oil supplier and wants to be
its long-term business partner.
Official figures show that China imported 226 million tons of oil in2003,
about 13 percent of which coming from Iran.
Beijing expects to secure foreign energy supplies by the deals for its
economy, which has turned China into a major oil importer but suffers severe
power shortages.
