Energy focus for Chavez in China

BBC News ^ | 8/22/2006

[markomalley]

Discussions over energy co-operation are set to dominate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's visit to China, which began on Tuesday.
Oil producing Venezuela wants to reduce its reliance on the US, to which it exports most of its oil despite the two countries' ideological differences. China offers a lucrative alternative market, as Beijing needs oil supplies to maintain its rapid economic growth. Mr Chavez will meet counterpart Hu Jintao during the six-day trip.		Venezuela sees China as a key ally
Oil increase The two leaders are expected to agree to increase the amount of oil Beijing buys from Venezuela as well as approving the sale of Chinese oil tankers to Caracas. The visit - Mr Chavez's fourth to China since he came to power in 1998 - is also politically significant with China regarding Venezuela as a valuable counterweight to US influence in Latin America. China is taking an increased interest in the region, having recently agreed a free trade deal with Chile. The two countries already co-operate in energy matters, with Chinese state oil firm CNPC enjoying oil exploration contracts in Venezuela.
It (Venezuela) would obviously prefer to have a substantial component of that new oil go to China rather than the US Mark Daniell, Energy analyst	Venezuala has offered to increase oil exports to China to up to one million barrels a day by 2012, if it can raise its own production levels. Beijing is keen to buy more Venezuelan oil even though its high sulphur content means that it is more costly to refine.
'Strategic alliance' China is the world's second largest energy consumer and Beijing has been looking further afield to secure future oil supplies, building relations with major producers in Africa. Ahead of Mr Chavez's visit, Venezuela's ambassador to China said it would consolidate the two countries' "strategic alliance". One energy analyst said the burgeoning relationship between the two countries was mutually beneficial. "If everything goes to Venezuela's plan, it will have more oil to dispose of," said Mark Daniell, from consultancy firm Cuscaden Group. "It would obviously prefer to have a substantial component of that new oil go to China rather than the US."

[markomalley]

Two wonderful allies, that!

[Mike Darancette]

Oil producing Venezuela wants to reduce its reliance on the US, to which it exports most of its oil despite the two countries' ideological differences.

I thought that the US was one of the only places that could refine their sour crude.

[Pikachu_Dad]

That's a long way to ship your stuff because you don't like someone. A VERY long way. Got to go through Panama (thanks Jimma) our the long way round.

[Petey139]

Actually, Your wrong on that. To export oil all the way across the ocean is extremely expensive and to make a profit, You'd have to ship in Bulk on Ships that are extremely HUGE, I'm talking Gigantic Ships and even then it would be TOO big to cross the Panama Canal. There have been talks to create a Pipeline to shorten the trip, But I dont know how it's going. So far, It can take months for the trip and the ships are slow. Due to the weight!