China opens up oil and gas exploration, production to foreign firms

[BEIJING] China will for the first time allow foreign companies to explore for and produce oil and gas in the country, opening up the industry to firms other than state-run energy giants as Beijing looks to boost domestic energy supplies.

From May 1, 2020, foreign firms registered in China with net assets no lower than 300 million yuan (S$58.3 million) will be allowed to take part in oil and gas exploration and production, the Ministry of Natural Resources said at a media conference.

The change will also apply to domestic companies that mee the same asset criteria.

The move comes as part of Beijing's push to increase oil and gas development and bring private capital into the upstream energy business.

Previously, international companies could enter the industry only via joint-ventures or through cooperation with Chinese firms, mainly state-owned majors such as China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec) or their listed vehicles.

Mineral resources mining permits will be valid for five years at initial registration, and can potentially be extended for another five years.

When firms apply for extensions, the government will automatically cut the area of the mining/exploration zones by 25 per cent from the originally registered level, the ministry added.

REUTERS