BP ploughs lonely shale gas furrow in China
China is inviting foreign operators to develop its vast deposits
Given that several major international oil companies gave up on shale gas exploration in China and went elsewhere, there is a lot of interest in what BP is doing there. The company started drilling in the Neijiang-Dazu block in the southwestern province of Sichuan in September and will try its luck in early 2018 in the nearby Rong Chang Bei block. BP has moved quickly after signing a production-sharing contract last year with China National Petroleum Corporation in what looks likes a bold move following the withdrawal of Hess, Chevron, Shell and ConocoPhillips from China's shale gasfields in pursuit of more profitable plays. So far, the history of independents in China's shale gas has been u
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub
