Pakistan seeks Chinese expertise on oil, gas drilling

To tackle energy emergency :

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday invited Chinese experts to assist Pakistan in drilling for oil and gas and for reactivating the depleted and abandoned fields across the country.

Talking to a delegation of Chinese oil and gas conglomerate Orient Group Incorporation at Presidency, President Zardari said Pakistan was faced with a situation that can be characterized as energy emergency, adding that the government had decided to channel all resources to meet the challenge.Briefing the media, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said to overcome the energy crisis, the President was focusing on tapping all available resources including reactivating the abandoned and depleted oil and gas fields in different parts of the country to meet our domestic requirements.In Sindh alone, reportedly 16 gas fields abandoned by the OGDC were identified as depleted, he said.

Babar said President Zardari had already called for reactivation of all such resources using the new technology.

He said the President appreciated the Orient Group for their success as a model of China’s reforms of non-state enterprises observing that China’s continued success was a testament to the wisdom of its leadership, the genius of its entrepreneurs and the hard work and determination of its people.

He said Chinese success was a source of inspiration and matter of pride for Pakistan.

President Zardari said the government’s efforts to translate existing equation with China into economic terms were yielding results as more and more Chinese businessmen were showing greater interest in taking advantage of investment and business friendly policies and terms offered by Pakistan.

He said that the Government was committed to provide maximum facilitation to the Chinese businessmen in Pakistan besides ensuring their security. He urged Orient Group to consider further exploring investment opportunities in other areas also including port management, financial services, banking and investment, food and agriculture.

Zhang Hongwei, Chairman of Orient Group/United Energy Co., thanked the government for facilitating the company in its business pursuits. The delegation headed by Zhang Hongwei, Chairman of Orient Group/United Energy Co. included Fu Christine Yuning, Andrew Leo Kirbym Pang Pui Yin Thomas, Lin Yang and Gao Guangbin among others. Senator Dr. Asim Hussain, Minister for Petroleum, M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar were also present during the meeting from Pak side besides other senior officials. Associated press of Pakistan