DUBAI: April 12 2017: Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the largest integrated energy company in China, have signed an agreement to establish CNPC’s regional headquarters in Jafza to serve its customers in the Middle East.
The agreement was signed between Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO of Jafza and Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DP World, UAE and Zhu Junfeng, CEO of CNPC Middle East in the presence of senior officials. The new headquarters covers 55,000-square metres and include a 10,000-square metre multi-storey office and warehouse facility for storage, maintenance and repair of oil and gas equipment.
“CNPC’s headquarters in the UAE reinforces its presence as a key player in the region’s energy sector,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.
Jafza has established its position as a regional hub for the oil, gas and petrochemical industry with more than 850 companies from 77 countries in the sector. Its strategic logistical advantage of close proximity to air, sea and land routes is a major factor in its success, backed by the global network of DP World, with 77 marine and inland terminals in 40 countries.
Zhu Junfeng, CEO of CNPC Middle East, said: “This regional headquarters brings together all of our 16 listed companies in Jafza under one roof to help us better serve our customers. It will also support our expansion plans in the UAE and the Middle East following our acquisition of an 8% stake in the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) for $1.8 billion. We will now be able to provide operational support throughout the Middle East with room to grow our portfolio while increasing demand for our services. CNPC is one of the world’s leading energy companies and has become a trademark of innovation and excellence thanks to our knowledge of regional markets and the growth of our operations.”
Ranked third in the 2016 Fortune Global 500 list, CNPC is a state-owned Chinese company headquartered in the Dongcheng District of Beijing and the parent company of PetroChina.
– By Angel Chan