The state-owned oil giant entered Iran in 2004 when it acquired the MIS oilfield, in which it now holds a 75% stake. CNPC did not give an output figure for the field on its website, Reuters reported.
It has also been developing the North Azadegan oilfield, which began production in 2016 of about 80,000 barrels per day of crude along with natural gas, according to the company’s website.
“Our main cooperation with Iran is upstream investment. Lifting equity oil is recouping our investment there,” Hou Qijun, deputy general manager for CNPC, said on the sidelines of an industry event.
The United States re-imposed on Monday sanctions targeting Iran’s oil, banking and transport sectors, but offered waivers to some countries to still buy Iranian crude.
Under the waiver, China is allowed to buy 360,000 barrels per day of oil from the Islamic Republic, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters this week.
The volume does not include oil Sinopec and CNPC are entitled to under investment deals, the sources said.
China, Iran’s top oil customer, has purchased an average of 655,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Tehran during the January-September period, according to customs data.
MR/PR