China’s upstream energy dealings: the Persian problem

View of a Sinochem-Total gas station in Beijing, China. Ensuring sufficient energy resources, in particular oil, is a key geo-political issue for China. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Matthew Hulbert, EER

This year presents a new set of challenges for Chinese energy endeavours, and nowhere more so than in oil.

Despite analysts bemoaning China’s ‘cavalier’ approach to risk as it strikes upstream deals in exotic locations, Beijing always knew it would have to cash in some of its chips when geopolitical cards were put on the table. Read more…