BIZCHINA / WTO Committments

Energy - Petroleum & Natural Gas

Updated: 2006-04-18 11:28

Petroleum & Natural Gas Industry's WTO Commitments
1. Export & Import Rights

Trading crude oil, petroleum oil and oil obtained from bituminous minerals exports where crude oil is subject to the China National Chemical Import & Export Co, China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co and the China National United Oil Co; the trade of imports is subject to the China National Chemical Import & Export Co, China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co, China National United Oil Co and the Zhuhai Zhenrong Company; natural gas and natural gas in gaseous state are subject to State pricing.

2. Import duty

Line pipe used for oil or gas
73051100 --Longitudinally submerged arc welded, 7 percent
73051200 --Other, longitudinally welded, 6.5-3 percent in 2003
73051900 --Other, 7 percent
73052000 -Casing used in drilling for oil or gas, 7 percent
73061000 -Line pipe used for oil or gas pipelines, 7 percent
73062000 -Casing and tubing used, 6.5 percent down to 3 percent in 2003

3. Limitations to market access

Commercial presence:
-Offshore oil-field services, geological, geophysical and other scientific prospecting services (CPC 86751)
Only in the form of petroleum exploitation in cooperation with Chinese partners
-Onshore oil-field services
Only in the form of petroleum exploitation in cooperation with the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) in designated areas approved by the Chinese government

To carry out a petroleum contract, the foreign service supplier will establish a branch, subsidiary or representative office within the territory of the People's Republic of China and go through registration procedures in accordance with the law. The domiciles of the said offices will be determined via consultations with the CNPC.

The foreign service supplier will open an account at a bank approved by Chinese authorities to engage in the foreign-exchange business within the Chinese territory.

4. Limitations on national treatment

-Offshore oil-field services, geological, geophysical and other scientific prospecting services (CPC 86751).

There are no limitations on cross-board supply and consumption aboard.
The foreign service supplier will furnish the CNPC accurately and promptly with reports on petroleum operations and will submit data and samples, as well as various technological, economic, accounting and administrative reports related to petroleum operations to the CNPC.

The CNPC will have full ownership of all data records, samples, vouchers and other pieces of original information acquired during the implementation of the petroleum operations. Investments by foreign service suppliers will be made in US dollars or other hard currencies.


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