Statoil denies China shale gas deal report

Reuters reported that Statoil has no agreement to study shale gas or conduct test drilling in China with China National Petroleum Corp despite a report to that effect by CNPC. The report issued by CNPC's research unit said the two companies had begun a study and test drilling in a Chinese shale gas block. But Statoil spokesman Mr. Baard Glad Pedersen said no such activity was taking place.

He said that "China is an opportunity we are interested in studying with a Chinese company, but no such agreement has been reached and no drilling has begun, declining to name CNPC or confirm that the two companies were in contact. In August, Norway Statoil said it was at an advanced stage of negotiations with potential Chinese partners to explore for shale gas in China.