(Bloomberg) China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. said
it was invited to invest in Saudi Arabian Oil Co. as part of what could
be the world’s biggest-ever initial public offering.
Talks are
ongoing between the companies known as Sinopec and Saudi Aramco, Wang
Yupu, chairman of the Chinese refiner, said on Monday.
During a visit
to China this month, Aramco’s chief executive officer Amin Nasser told
officials he hoped the company could invest in the listing, Wang said.
Saudi
Arabia is preparing for the flotation by deepening relationships with
its biggest buyers and locking in future demand for its oil. Saudi King
Salman bin Abdulaziz led a delegation to Asia this month that saw the
Middle East explorer pledge at least $13 billion worth of investments in refining projects.
“We talked with them on the plan, and generally speaking we
had a very good conversation,” Wang said of the offer from Aramco,
speaking during a briefing in Hong Kong. “Going forward, based on our
own reality and needs, we will get into more detailed conversations with
them.”
A Saudi Aramco spokesman declined to comment.
China is growing more reliant on overseas crude as its domestic
reserves dwindle and economic growth spurs higher demand. China’s $814
billion sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp., and Sinopec-rival
China National Petroleum Corp. may invest in the IPO, Bloomberg News reported earlier this month.
President
Xi Jinping said in a meeting with King Salman that the nations should
step up energy cooperation, Xinhua News Agency reported March 16, adding
that the countries signed $65 billion worth of memorandums of
understanding during the visit.
Source: Bloomberg News by Aibing Guo
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