PetroChina Company Limited (PetroChina) and INEOS Group (INEOS) have completed the deal to form trading and refining Joint Ventures between PetroChina International (London) Company Limited, and INEOS Investments (Jersey) Limited on July 1st.
The joint ventures include trading and refining activities at the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland and the Lavéra refinery in France. The business employs approximately 1,000 people and has a turnover of $15bn. PetroChina has paid US$ 1.015 billion cash for the shares in the joint ventures.
Li Keqiang, the Chinese Vice Premier, and Nick Clegg, the British Deputy Prime Minister, witnessed the signing of the framework agreement to form the Joint Ventures, in January. The completion of the transaction, announced today follows a successful consultation process with INEOS employees, the approval of INEOS lenders and relevant Government and regulatory bodies.
The completion of the joint ventures are of great importance for PetroChina’s global allocation of resources and market portfolio, as it explores the high-end European market, and begins to establish PetroChina’s European oil and gas operation centre. “The Joint Ventures with INEOS are consistent with PetroChina’s strategy to build its broader business platform in Europe as a leading international energy company,” said Si Bingjun, General Manager of PetroChina International London.
The formation of the joint ventures creates a strategic partnership between both companies that strengthens the long-term sustainability of both refineries, enhances security of supply for customers and secures jobs and skills in both the UK and France. “We are delighted to have PetroChina as our long-term strategic partner in both the Grangemouth and Lavéra refineries”, said Calum MacLean CEO, INEOS Refining. “The formation of the joint ventures provides further investment in our refineries, and enhances their competitiveness in European markets.”
PetroChina’s ultimate parent company, China National Petroleum Corporation (“CNPC”), and INEOS are also progressing a strategic co-operation agreement to share refining and petrochemical technology and expertise between their respective businesses.
The Grangemouth refinery is located on the Firth of Forth with direct access to crude oil and gas from the North Sea. The Grangemouth refinery processes around 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day and provides fuel to Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.
The Lavéra refinery processes 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is located on the coast of the Mediterranean crude oil trading basin, next to the port of Marseille. The refinery supplies fuel by pipelines into France, Switzerland and Southern Germany.
Both sites remain integrated into INEOS' downstream petrochemical production after the completion.
B-Roll is available for Lavéra and Grangemouth.
For further press contact:
PetroChina
Financial Dynamics
Ed Bridges / Ben Brewerton / Billy Clegg
Tel: +44 (0) 207 831 3113
Email: petrochina@fd.com
INEOS
Richard Longden
Tel: +44 (0) 7710 371998
Email: richard.longden@ineos.com
Note to editors
PetroChina Company Limited (www.petrochina.com.cn) is the largest oil and gas producer and distributor, playing a dominant role in the oil and gas industry in China. It is not only one of the companies with the biggest sales revenue in China, but also one of the largest oil companies in the world. The American Depositary Shares (ADS) and H shares of PetroChina were listed on the New York Stock Exchange on April 6, 2000 and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on April 7, 2000 (stock code: 857) respectively. It was listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange on November 5, 2007. PetroChina commits itself to becoming an international energy company with strong competitiveness and one of the major producers and distributors of petroleum and petrochemical products in the world. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is the sole sponsor and controlling shareholder of PetroChina.
INEOS is the world's third largest chemicals group and a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products. As of the end of 2010 it operates 15 businesses and with a production network spanning 61 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries, the group produces more than 40 million tonnes of petrochemicals and 20 million tonnes per annum of crude oil refined products (fuels) each year. INEOS employs 15,000 people and annual sales of around $40bn.
INEOS Refining is Europe's leading independent crude oil refiner. With two particularly advantaged refineries, it processes more than 420,000 barrels of crude oil per day, to produce in the region of 20 million tonnes of fuels per annum. Its refineries are strategically located at Grangemouth Scotland and Lavéra France and are both fully integrated with co-sited petrochemical assets of the Company. Close proximity to feedstocks and customers are key elements of INEOS Refining strength. INEOS Refining employs around 1,000 people and has a turnover of around $15bn.
PetroChina and INEOS complete transaction to form trading and refining joint ventures related to the refining operations in Grangemouth (Scotland) and Lavéra (France)
