Saudi Aramco to join in Zhejiang FTZ development

Sinochem Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan) Co in Aoshan Island, Zhoushan, with a capacity of handling 40 million metric tons of oil every year, is currently the largest commercial oil transferring base in China. [Photo/IC] 

The global oil giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co, or Saudi Aramco, is seeking to tap the oil market in Zhejiang, East China, with three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) recently signed in Beijing to expand its downstream businesses in the province.

The MoUs will significantly contribute to the oil industrial chain development in the Zhejiang (Pilot) Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Zhoushan, as well as the city's international green petrochemical base construction. 

According to the agreements, Saudi Aramco will purchase nine percent of the shares of the Zhoushan-based Zhejiang Petrochemical Co (ZPC) from the municipal government of Zhoushan, provide long-term crude oil supply for ZPC and take advantage of ZPC's oil storage facilities to serve Asian customers, while co-establishing an oil retailing network with Zhejiang Energy Group to distribute ZPC's refined oil.

"These agreements showcase our commitment to the Chinese market and help boost our downstream businesses in Asia. They will also strengthen our ties with Zhejiang province and the entire nation, and lay a good foundation for our further cooperation," said Amin Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco.