20-F
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
Form 20-F
 
     
(Mark One)
   
o
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    or
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
    or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    or
o
  SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    Date of event requiring this shell company report                
    For the transition period from                 to                
 
Commission File Number 1-15006
 
 
 
 
(CHINESE CHARACTERS)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
PetroChina Company Limited
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
 
 
 
 
The People’s Republic of China
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
 
9 Dongzhimen North Street
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100007
The People’s Republic of China,
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
 
Li Huaiqi
Telephone number: 8610 59986223
Facsimile number: 8610 62099557
Email address: xwzou@petrochina.com.cn
Address: 9 Dongzhimen North Street, Dongcheng District Beijing, 100007 The People’s Republic of China
(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of registrant’s contact person)
 
 
 
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
 
     
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
American Depositary Shares, each representing 100 H Shares, par value RMB1.00 per share*
  New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
H Shares, par value RMB1.00 per share
  New York Stock Exchange, Inc.**
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
 
None
(Title of Class)
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
 
None
(Title of Class)
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
 
     
A Shares, par value RMB1.00 per share***
  161,922,077,818(1)
H Shares, par value RMB1.00 per share
  21,098,900,000****
 
 
(1):  Includes 158,164,597,259 A Shares held by CNPC and 3,757,480,559 A Shares held by the public shareholders.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes þ      No o
If this is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o      No þ
Note — Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer þ Accelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated Filer o
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
o U.S. GAAP þ International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o Other
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 o       Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o      No þ
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes o      No o
 
 
* PetroChina’s H Shares are listed and traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
 
** Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depository Shares.
 
*** PetroChina’s A Shares became listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on November 5, 2007.
 
**** Includes 1,850,628,100 H Shares represented by American Depositary Shares.
 


Table of Contents

 
Table of Contents
 
                     
            Page
 
    4  
    7  
                 
            Part I        
        Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors     8  
        Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable     8  
        Key Information     8  
            Exchange Rates     8  
            Selected Financial Data     9  
            Risk Factors     11  
        Information on the Company     15  
            Introduction     15  
            Exploration and Production     22  
            Refining and Marketing     32  
            Chemicals and Marketing     38  
            Natural Gas and Pipeline     42  
            Competition     45  
            Environmental Matters     46  
            Legal Proceedings     47  
            Properties     47  
            Intellectual Property     48  
            Regulatory Matters     48  
        Unresolved Staff Comments     54  
        Operating and Financial Review and Prospects     54  
            General     54  
            Operating Results     59  
            Liquidity and Capital Resources     67  
            Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements     72  
            Long-Term Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments and Payment Obligations     72  
            Research and Development     73  
            Trend Information     73  
            Other Information     74  
        Directors, Senior Management and Employees     75  
            Directors, Senior Management and Supervisors     75  
            Compensation     84  
            Board Practices     85  
            Employees     86  
            Share Ownership     87  
        Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions     87  
            Major Shareholders     87  
            Related Party Transactions     88  
            Interests of Experts and Counsel     90  


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Table of Contents
 
                     
            Page
 
        Financial Information     91  
            Financial Statements     91  
            Significant Changes     92  
        The Offer and Listing     93  
            Nature of the Trading Market and Market Price Information     93  
        Additional Information     94  
            Memorandum and Articles of Association     94  
            Material Contracts     101  
            Foreign Exchange Controls     101  
            Taxation     101  
            Documents on Display     106  
        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     107  
        Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities     110  
                 
            Part II        
        Defaults, Dividends Arrearages and Delinquencies     110  
        Material Modifications to the Rights to Security Holders and Use of Proceeds     110  
        Controls and Procedures     110  
        Audit Committee Financial Expert     111  
        Code of Ethics     111  
        Principal Accountant Fees and Services     112  
        Exemptions from Listing Standards for Audit Committees     112  
        Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers     112  
        Change In Registrant’s Certifying Accountant     113  
        Corporate Governance     113  
                 
            Part III        
        Financial Statements     114  
        Financial Statements     114  
        Exhibits     114  
 EX-4.1
 EX-4.4
 EX-4.20
 EX-4.21
 EX-4.22
 EX-4.23
 EX-4.24
 EX-8.1
 EX-12.1
 EX-12.2
 EX-13.1
 EX-13.2


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CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
 
Conventions Which Apply to this Annual Report
 
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report to:
 
  •  “CNPC” or “CNPC group” are to our parent, China National Petroleum Corporation and its affiliates and subsidiaries, excluding PetroChina, its subsidiaries and its interests in long-term investments, and where the context refers to any time prior to the establishment of CNPC, those entities and businesses which were contributed to CNPC upon its establishment.
 
  •  “PetroChina”, “we”, “our”, “our company” and “us” are to:
 
  •  PetroChina Company Limited, a joint stock company incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability and its subsidiaries and branch companies, or
 
  •  the CNPC group’s domestic crude oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining and marketing, chemicals and natural gas businesses that were transferred to us in the restructuring of the CNPC group in 1999.
 
  •  “PRC” or “China” is to the People’s Republic of China, but does not apply to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan for purposes of this annual report.
 
We publish our consolidated financial statements in Renminbi or RMB. The audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report have been prepared as if the operations and businesses transferred to us from CNPC were transferred as of the earliest period presented or from the date of establishment of the relevant unit, whichever is later, and conducted by us throughout the period. In this annual report, IFRS refers to International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
 
Conversion Table
 
         
1 barrel-of-oil equivalent
  = 1 barrel of crude oil   = 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas
1 cubic meter
  = 35.315 cubic feet    
1 ton of crude oil
  = 1 metric ton of crude oil   = 7.389 barrels of crude oil (assuming an API gravity of 34 degrees)
 
Certain Oil and Gas Terms
 
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the meanings shown below:
 
“acreage” The total area, expressed in acres, over which an entity has interests in exploration or production. Net acreage is the entity’s interest, expressed in acres, in the relevant exploration or production area.
 
“API gravity” An indication of the density of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons as measured by a system recommended by the American Petroleum Institute (API), measured in degrees. The lower the API gravity, the heavier the compound.
 
“condensate” Light hydrocarbon substances produced with natural gas that condense into liquid at normal temperatures and pressures associated with surface production equipment.
 
“crude oil” Crude oil, including condensate and natural gas liquids.
 
“development cost” For a given period, costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas.


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“finding cost” For a given period, costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory-type test wells. Finding cost is also known as exploration cost.
 
“lifting cost” For a given period, costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. Lifting cost is also known as production cost.
 
“natural gas liquids” Hydrocarbons that can be extracted in liquid form together with natural gas production. Ethane and pentanes are the predominant components, with other heavier hydrocarbons also present in limited quantities.
 
“offshore” Areas under water with a depth of five meters or greater.
 
“onshore” Areas of land and areas under water with a depth of less than five meters.
 
“primary distillation capacity” At a given point in time, the maximum volume of crude oil a refinery is able to process in its basic distilling units.
 
“proved developed reserves” Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Additional oil and gas expected to be obtained through the application of fluid injection or other improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural forces and mechanisms of primary recovery are included as “proved developed reserves” only after testing by a pilot project or after the operation of an installed program has confirmed through production response that increased recovery will be achieved.
 
“proved reserves” Estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not of escalations based upon future conditions.
 
“proved undeveloped reserves” Reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those drilling units offsetting productive units that are reasonably certain of production when drilled. Proved reserves for other undrilled units can be claimed only where it can be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing productive formation. Under no circumstances should estimates for proved undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual tests in the area and in the same reservoir.


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“reserve-to-production ratio” For any given well, field or country, the ratio of proved reserves to annual production of crude oil or, with respect to natural gas, to wellhead production excluding flared gas.
 
“sales gas” Marketable production of gas on an “as sold” basis, excluding flared gas, injected gas and gas consumed in operations.
 
“water cut” For a given oil region, the percentage that water constitutes of all fluids extracted from all wells in that region.
 
References to:
 
  •  BOE is to barrels-of-oil equivalent,
 
  •  Mcf is to thousand cubic feet, and
 
  •  Bcf is to billion cubic feet.


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to:
 
  •  the amounts and nature of future exploration, development and other capital expenditures;
 
  •  future prices and demand for crude oil, natural gas, refined products and chemical products;
 
  •  development projects;
 
  •  exploration prospects;
 
  •  reserves potential;
 
  •  production of oil and gas and refined and chemical products;
 
  •  development and drilling potential;
 
  •  expansion and other development trends of the oil and gas industry;
 
  •  the planned development of our natural gas operations;
 
  •  the planned expansion of our refined product marketing network;
 
  •  the planned expansion of our natural gas infrastructure;
 
  •  the anticipated benefit from the acquisition of certain overseas assets from CNPC, our parent company;
 
  •  the plan to continue to pursue attractive business opportunities outside China;
 
  •  our future overall business development and economic performance;
 
  •  our anticipated financial and operating information regarding, and the future development and economic performance of our business;
 
  •  our anticipated market risk exposure arising from future changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices; and
 
  •  other prospects of our business and operations.
 
The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “seek”, “will” and “would” and similar expressions, as they related to us, are intended to identify a number of these forward-looking statements.
 
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and are beyond our control. The forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the risk factors set forth in this annual report and the following:
 
  •  fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices;
 
  •  failure to achieve continued exploration success;
 
  •  failures or delays in achieving production from development projects;
 
  •  continued availability of capital and financing;
 
  •  acquisitions and other business opportunities that we may pursue;
 
  •  general economic, market and business conditions, including volatility in interest rates, changes in foreign exchange rates and volatility in commodity markets;


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  •  liability for remedial actions under environmental regulations;
 
  •  impact of the PRC’s entry into the World Trade Organization;
 
  •  the actions of competitors;
 
  •  wars and acts of terrorism or sabotage;
 
  •  changes in policies, laws or regulations of the PRC, including changes in applicable tax rates;
 
  •  the other changes in global economic and political conditions affecting the production, supply and demand and pricing of crude oil, refined products, petrochemical products and natural gas; and
 
  •  the other risk factors discussed in this annual report, and other factors beyond our control.
 
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.
 
PART I
 
ITEM 1 — IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
 
Not applicable. However, see “Item 6 — Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Directors, Senior Management and Supervisors.”
 
ITEM 2 — OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 3 — KEY INFORMATION
 
Exchange Rates
 
The following table sets forth the high and low noon buying rates between Renminbi and U.S. dollars for each month during the previous six months and the most recent practicable date:
 
                 
    Noon Buying Rate(1)
    High   Low
    (RMB per US$)
 
November 2008
    6.8373       6.8220  
December 2008
    6.8842       6,8225  
January 2009
    6.8403       6.8225  
February 2009
    6.8470       6.8241  
March 2009
    6.8438       6.8240  
April 2009
    6.8361       6.8180  
May 2009 (ending as of May 15)
    6.8248       6.8176  
 
 
(1) For periods prior to January 1, 2009, the exchange rates reflect the noon buying rates as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For periods after January 1, 2009, the exchange rates reflect the exchange rates as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.


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The following table sets forth the average noon buying rates between Renminbi and U.S. dollars for each of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, calculated by averaging the noon buying rates on the last day of each month during the relevant year:
 
         
    Average Noon
    Buying Rate
    (RMB per US$)
 
2004
    8.2768  
2005
    8.1826  
2006
    7.9579  
2007
    7.5806  
2008
    6.9193  
 
Selected Financial Data
 
Historical Financial Information
 
You should read the selected historical financial data set forth below in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of PetroChina and their notes and “Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected historical income statement and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the selected historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 set forth below are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected historical income statement data and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 and the selected historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 set forth below are derived from our audited financial statements not included in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The financial information included in this section may not necessarily reflect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows in the future.
 
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,(1)
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
    (In millions, except for per share and per ADS data)
 
Income Statement Data
                                       
Revenues
                                       
Sales and other operating revenues
    397,812       553,350       690,512       836,353       1,071,146  
                                         
Operating expenses
                                       
Purchases, services and other
    (113,428 )     (198,729 )     (269,301 )     (369,219 )     (562,122 )
Employee compensation costs
    (22,934 )     (29,770 )     (39,292 )     (50,863 )     (62,065 )
Exploration expenses, including exploratory dry holes
    (12,109 )     (15,569 )     (18,827 )     (20,956 )     (21,879 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (48,362 )     (51,803 )     (62,155 )     (67,274 )     (94,603 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (28,357 )     (36,634 )     (43,402 )     (52,257 )     (59,457 )
Employee separation costs and shutting down of manufacturing assets
    (220 )                        
Taxes other than income taxes
    (19,943 )     (23,997 )     (57,208 )     (73,792 )     (124,115 )
Other (expenses)/incomes, net
    (25 )     (3,083 )     (430 )     (1,221 )     12,395  
                                         
Total operating expenses
    (245,378 )     (359,585 )     (490,615 )     (635,582 )     (911,846 )
                                         
Income from operations
    152,434       193,765       199,897       200,771       159,300  
                                         
Income from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    1,318       2,011       1,706       6,442       4,299  
Exchange gain (loss), net
    8       85       272       (751 )     (1,081 )


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    Year Ended December 31,(1)
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
    (In millions, except for per share and per ADS data)
 
Interest income
    1,373       2,036       2,148       2,099       2,274  
Interest expense
    (3,021 )     (2,879 )     (3,273 )     (3,604 )     (2,963 )
                                         
Income before taxes
    152,112       195,018       200,750       204,957       161,829  
Income taxes
    (44,004 )     (54,913 )     (50,602 )     (49,781 )     (35,178 )
                                         
Income for the year
    108,108       140,105       150,148       155,176       126,651  
                                         
Attributable to:
                                       
Shareholders
    104,566       134,373       143,511       146,750       114,431  
Minority interest
    3,542       5,732       6,637       8,426       12,220  
                                         
      108,108       140,105       150,148       155,176       126,651  
                                         
Basic and diluted income for the year per share
                                       
Attributable to shareholders(2)
    0.59       0.76       0.80       0.82       0.63  
Basic and diluted income for the year per ADS Attributable to shareholders(3)
    59.47       76.02       80.16       81.66       62.52  
 
                                         
    As of December 31,(1)
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
    (In millions, except for per share and per ADS data)
 
Balance Sheet Data
                                       
Inventories
    47,398       62,764       76,070       88,496       90,670  
Cash and cash equivalents
    13,590       82,887       50,746       68,652       32,944  
Total current assets
    124,275       178,592       165,498       235,549       224,473  
Total non-current assets
    519,366       605,132       713,043       832,131       969,701  
Total current liabilities
    131,459       155,992       181,125       199,222       264,337  
Total non-current liabilities
    67,028       81,412       75,244       86,358       82,711  
Equity attributable to our shareholders
    429,691       517,941       590,423       738,204       790,838  
Equity attributable to minority interests
    15,463       28,379       31,749       43,896       56,288  
Total equity
    445,154       546,320       622,172       782,100       847,126  
Share capital
    175,824       179,021       179,021       183,021       183,021  
 
                                         
    Year ended December 31,(1)
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
    (In millions, except for per share and per ADS data)
 
Other Financial Data
                                       
Dividend per share
    0.26       0.34       0.36       0.36       0.28  
Dividend per ADS
    26.34       33.80       35.75       36.25       28.14  
Capital expenditures
    (99,568 )     (125,542 )     (149,245 )     (182,387 )     (232,214 )
Cash Flow Data
                                       
Net cash generated by operating activities
    142,272       205,685       200,692       205,243       170,506  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (102,749 )     (93,036 )     (160,774 )     (185,486 )     (213,947 )
Net cash generated by/used for financing activities
    (38,819 )     (42,591 )     (71,643 )     (1,630 )     7,845  

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(1) In 2008, we acquired a 100% equity interest in Sun World Limited, a company wholly owned by CNPC. As we and Sun World Limited are under the common control of CNPC, this acquisition has been reflected in our consolidated financial statements as a combination of entities under common control in a manner similar to a uniting of interests. Accordingly, the acquired assets and related liabilities have been accounted for at carryover predecessor values and our consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the combination have been restated to include the financial condition and results of operation of the acquired company as if our company and the acquired company had always been operated on a combined basis in these periods.
 
(2) The basic and diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the number of 175,824 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented. The basic and diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2005 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the weighted average number of 176,770 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented. The basic and diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the number of 179,021 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented. The basic and diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2007 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the weighted average number of 179,700 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented. The basic and diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the number of 183,021 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented.
 
(3) The basic and diluted income per ADS for the year ended December 31, 2004 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the number of 175,824 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented, each ADS representing 100 H Shares. The basic and diluted income per ADS for the year ended December 31, 2005 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the weighted average number of 176,770 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented, each ADS representing 100 H Shares. The basic and diluted income per ADS for the year ended December 31, 2006 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the number of 179,021 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented, each ADS representing 100 H Shares. The basic and diluted income per ADS for the year ended December 31, 2007 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the weighted average number of 179,700 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented, each ADS representing 100 H Shares. The basic and diluted income per ADS for the year ended December 31, 2008 was calculated by dividing the income for the year attributable to our shareholders by the number of 183,021 million shares issued and outstanding for the year presented, each ADS representing 100 H Shares.
 
Risk Factors
 
Our business is primarily subject to various changing competitive, economic and social conditions in the PRC. Such changing conditions entail certain risks, which are described below.
 
  •  The current global financial crisis and economic downturn have adversely affected economies and businesses around the world, including in China. Due to the global economical downturn and a decrease in consumer demand, the economic situation in China has been quite severe since the second half of 2008. This change in the macro-economic conditions has and is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on our business and operations. Oil and gas prices and margins are likely to remain lower than in recent times due to reduced demand. We have experienced pricing pressure on our refined products, which has an adverse effect on our profitability. These factors may also lead to intensified competition for market share and available margin, with consequential potential adverse effects on volumes. The financial and economic situation may have a negative impact on third parties with whom we do, or may do, business. Any of these factors may affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.


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  •  Our operations are affected by the volatility of prices for crude oil and refined products. We and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec, set our crude oil median prices monthly based on the Singapore trading prices for crude oil. In 2006, the PRC government, under its macroeconomic controls, introduced a mechanism for determining domestic prices of refined products. On December 18, 2008, the PRC government further modified this mechanism by linking the domestic prices of refined oil products to a number of factors, including international market prices, average domestic processing cost, tax, selling expenses and appropriate profit margin. Historically, international prices for crude oil and refined products have fluctuated widely in response to changes in many factors, such as global and regional economic and political developments, and global and regional supply and demand for crude oil and refined products. We do not have, and will not have, control over the factors affecting international prices for crude oil and refined products. A decline in crude oil prices will reduce our crude oil revenues derived from external customers. If crude oil prices remain at a low level for a prolonged period, our company has to determine and estimate whether our oil and gas assets may suffer impairment losses and, if so, the amount of the impairment losses. An increase in crude oil prices may, however, increase the production costs of refined products. In addition, a decline in refined products prices will reduce our revenue derived from refining operations. An increase in the refined products prices, however, will increase the production costs of chemical products which use refined products as raw materials.
 
  •  The crude oil and natural gas reserve data in this annual report are only estimates. The reliability of reserve estimates depends on a number of factors, assumptions and variables, such as the quality and quantity of our technical and economic data and the prevailing oil and gas prices applicable to our production, some of which are beyond our control and may prove to be incorrect over time. Results of drilling, testing and production after the date of the estimates may require substantial upward or downward revisions in our reserve data. Our actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves may differ materially from these estimates because of these revisions.
 
  •  Our proved crude oil reserves decreased gradually and modestly from 2001 to 2003 because the decrease in the crude oil reserves in our Daqing and Liaohe oil regions could not be offset by the increase in the crude oil reserves in our oil regions in northwestern China, such as the Xinjiang oil region, the Changqing oil and gas region and the Tarim oil region. Our proved crude oil reserves increased slightly in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 compared to prior years. Our proved crude oil reserves slightly decreased in China in 2008 as a result of the lower oil price in 2008. We are actively pursuing business opportunities outside China to supplement our domestic resources. For instance, we acquired certain overseas crude oil and natural gas assets from CNPC. We cannot assure you, however, that we can successfully locate sufficient alternative sources of crude oil supply or at all due to the complexity of the international political, economic and other conditions. If we fail to obtain sufficient alternative sources of crude oil supply, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
 
  •  The oil, gas and petrochemicals industries are highly competitive. There is strong competition, both within the oil and gas industry and with other industries, in supplying the fuel needs of commerce, industry and the home. Competition puts pressure on product prices, affects oil products marketing and requires continuous management focus on reducing unit costs and improving efficiency. The implementation of our growth strategy requires continued technological advances and innovation, including advances in exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals manufacturing technology and advances in technology related to energy usage. Our performance could be impeded if competitors developed or acquired intellectual property rights to technology that we required or if our innovation lagged the industry.
 
  •  Exploring for, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas and producing and transporting refined products and chemical products involve many hazards. These hazards may result in:
 
  •  fires;
 
  •  explosions;
 
  •  spills;
 
  •  blow-outs; and


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  •  other unexpected or dangerous conditions causing personal injuries or death, property damage, environmental damage and interruption of operations.
 
Some of our oil and natural gas fields are surrounded by residential areas or located in areas where natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and sandstorms, tend to occur more frequently than in other areas. As with many other companies around the world that conduct similar businesses, we have experienced accidents that have caused property damage and personal injuries and death.
 
Significant operating hazards and natural disasters may cause partial interruptions to our operations and property and environmental damage that could have an adverse impact on our financial condition.
 
Except for limited insurance coverage for vehicles and certain assets that we consider to be subject to significant operating risks, we do not carry any other insurance for our property, facilities or equipment in respect of our business operations. We do not currently carry any third party liability insurance against claims relating to personal injury or death, property or environmental damage arising from accidents on our property or relating to our operations. We also do not currently carry any business interruption insurance. The limited insurance coverage of our assets exposes us to substantial risks and will not cover most losses.
 
  •  As of December 31, 2008, CNPC beneficially owned approximately 86.71% of our share capital. This ownership percentage enables CNPC to elect our entire board of directors without the concurrence of any of our other shareholders. Accordingly, CNPC is in a position to:
 
  •  control our policies, management and affairs;
 
  •  subject to applicable PRC laws and regulations and provisions of our articles of association, affect the timing and amount of dividend payments and adopt amendments to certain of the provisions of our articles of association; and
 
  •  otherwise determine the outcome of most corporate actions and, subject to the requirements of the Listing Rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, cause our company to effect corporate transactions without the approval of minority shareholders.
 
CNPC’s interests may sometimes conflict with those of some or all of our minority shareholders. We cannot assure you that CNPC, as controlling shareholder, will always vote its shares in a way that benefits our minority shareholders.
 
  •  In addition to its relationship with us as our controlling shareholder, CNPC by itself or through its affiliates also provides us with certain services and products necessary for our business activities, such as construction and technical services, production services and supply of material services. The interests of CNPC and its affiliates as providers of these services and products to us may conflict with our interests. Although we have entered into a Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement with CNPC and our transactions with CNPC over the past three years have been conducted on open, fair and competitive commercial terms, we have only limited leverage in negotiating with CNPC and its affiliates over the specific terms of the agreements for the future provision of these services and products.
 
  •  The eastern and southern regions of China have a higher demand for refined products and chemical products than the western and northern regions. Most of our refineries and chemical plants are located in the western and northern regions of China. We incur relatively higher transportation costs for delivery of our refined products and chemical products to certain areas of the eastern and southern regions from our refineries and chemical plants in western and northern China. While we continue to expand the sales of these products in the eastern and southern regions of China, we face strong competition from Sinopec and China National Offshore Oil Corp, or CNOOC. As a result, we expect that we will continue to encounter difficulty in increasing our sales of refined products and chemical products in these regions.
 
  •  We are currently constructing new, and expanding some existing, refinery and petrochemical facilities and constructing several natural gas pipelines, which could require substantial capital expenditures and investments. We cannot assure you that the cash generated by our operations will be sufficient to fund these development plans or that our actual future capital expenditures and investments will not significantly


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  exceed our current planned amounts. If either of these conditions arise, we may have to seek external financing to satisfy our capital needs. Under such circumstance, our inability to obtain sufficient funding for our development plans could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
  •  Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change or environmental protection could result in substantial capital expenditure, reduced profitability from changes in operating costs, and revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities being impacted.
 
  •  We are also subject to a number of risks relating to the PRC and the PRC oil and gas industry. These risks are described as follows:
 
  •  Our operations, like those of other PRC oil and gas companies, are subject to extensive regulations and control by the PRC government. These regulations and control affect many material aspects of our operations, such as exploration and production licensing, industry-specific and product-specific taxes and fees and environmental and safety standards. As a result, we may face significant constraints on our ability to implement our business strategies, to develop or expand our business operations or to maximize our profitability. Our business may also be adversely affected by future changes in certain policies of the PRC government with respect to the oil and gas industry. For example, since March 26, 2006, we have been subject to a crude oil special gain levy imposed by the PRC government. As a result, we paid a special levy of RMB 28,988 million, RMB 44,662 million and RMB 85,291 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, to the PRC government in relation to our domestic sales of crude oil.
 
  •  Currently, the PRC government must approve the construction and major renovation of significant refining and petrochemical facilities as well as the construction of significant natural gas and refined product pipelines and storage facilities. We presently have several significant projects pending approval from the relevant government authorities and will need approvals from the relevant government authorities in connection with several other significant projects. We do not have control over the timing and outcome of the final project approvals.
 
  •  We receive most of our revenues in Renminbi. A portion of our Renminbi revenues must be converted into other currencies to meet our foreign currency obligations. The existing foreign exchange limitations under the PRC laws and regulations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt financing, or to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures.
 
  •  Prior to 2005, our company performed capping or plugging of wellheads and surface facilities that could be salvaged for alternative use. For safety reasons, our company also performed capping or plugging of certain wells that were considered to be in areas with extensive human use at the time of the abandonment. Our company, however, did not perform capping or plugging of wells that were neither considered to be in areas with extensive human use nor could be salvaged for alternative use. Consequently, such wellheads and surface facilities were left at their original sites after the wells were retired.
 
The Environmental Protection Regulation for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities in Heilongjiang Province and The Environmental Protection Regulation for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities in Gansu Province were issued in mid and late 2005, respectively. Based on our reading of these provincial regulations and in consultation with the environmental administrative authorities in Heilongjiang and Gansu provinces, we believe that such regulations only apply to the oil and gas properties retired after these regulations were issued in 2005. Accordingly, our company established standard abandonment procedures, requesting that all of our branch and subsidiary companies recognize asset retirement provisions for their currently used oil and gas properties.
 
Our company believes we had no obligation to adopt such abandonment procedures prior to the issuance of the new regulations in 2005. As to the oil and gas properties that were retired prior to the issuance of such regulations, the activities required to retire these assets have not been performed to the level that would be in compliance with the regulations and our internal policy. The costs associated with these activities have not been included in the asset retirement obligations accrued during 2005. However, Heilongjiang Province and Gansu Province could enact new regulations, amend the current regulations or retroactively apply the relevant requirements. If any of these regulations is determined to be applicable to assets other than those


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that were retired subsequent to the dates that these regulations were issued in 2005, we could be required to incur substantial costs associated with such asset retirement obligations. In addition, we cannot assure you that the provincial governments other than Heilongjiang Province and Gansu Province will not enact new regulations which will require our company to perform additional asset retirement activities related to the assets retired before the establishment of our company’s internal policy and areas in which these assets were or continue to be located.
 
  •  Because PRC laws, regulations and legal requirements dealing with economic matters are relatively new and continue to evolve, and because of the limited volume of published judicial interpretations and the non-binding nature of prior court decisions, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, regulations and legal requirements involve some uncertainty. We have included the Mandatory Provisions and certain additional requirements that are imposed by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Rules in our Articles of Association for the purpose of reducing the scope of difference between the Hong Kong Company Law and the PRC Company Law. However, because the PRC Company Law is different in certain important aspects from company laws in the United States, Hong Kong and other common law jurisdictions, and because the PRC securities laws and regulations are still at an early stage of development, you may not enjoy shareholders’ protections that you may be entitled to in other jurisdictions.
 
  •  In addition to the adverse effect on our revenues, margins and profitability from any future fall in oil and natural gas prices, a prolonged period of low prices or other indicators would lead to a review for impairment of our oil and natural gas properties. This review would reflect management’s view of long-term oil and natural gas prices. Such a review could result in a charge for impairment which could have a significant effect on our results of operations in the period in which it occurs.
 
  •  The United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company in the United States to include a management report on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Although our management concluded that our internal control over our financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 was effective, we may discover other deficiencies in the course of our future evaluation of our internal control over our financial reporting and may be unable to remediate such deficiencies in a timely manner. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis, in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal control is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and is important to prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the trading prices of our ADSs, H Shares or A Shares.
 
See also “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Regulatory Matters”, “Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, “Item 8 — Financial Information” and “Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.
 
ITEM 4 — INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
 
Introduction
 
History and Development of the Company
 
Overview of Our Operations
 
We are one of the largest companies in China in terms of sales. We are engaged in a broad range of petroleum and natural gas related activities, including:
 
  •  the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas;
 
  •  the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products;


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  •  the production and marketing of basic petrochemical products, derivative chemical products and other chemical products; and
 
  •  the transmission and storage of crude oil, refined products and natural gas as well as the sale of natural gas.
 
We are China’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas. Currently, substantially all of our crude oil and natural gas reserves and production-related assets are located in China. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we had total revenues of RMB 1,071,146 million and income for the year attributable to our shareholders of RMB 114,431 million.
 
Our exploration, development and production activities commenced in the early 1950s, when we conducted exploration activities in the Yumen oil region in northwestern China. The discovery of crude oil in 1959 in northeastern China’s Daqing oil region, one of the world’s largest oil regions in terms of proved crude oil reserves, marked the beginning of our large-scale upstream activities. Over more than four decades, we have conducted crude oil and natural gas exploration activities in many regions of China. As of December 31, 2008, we had estimated proved reserves of approximately 11,221.3 million barrels of crude oil and approximately 61,189.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas. We believe that we hold production licenses for a majority of China’s proved crude oil reserves and proved natural gas reserves. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we produced 870.7 million barrels of crude oil and 1,864.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas for sale, representing an average production of 2.38 million barrels of crude oil and 5.09 billion cubic feet of natural gas for sale per day. A substantial majority of the crude oil we sold in the year ended December 31, 2008 was supplied to our refineries.
 
We commenced limited refining activities in the mid-1950s, when we began producing gasoline and diesel at refineries in the Yumen oil region. We now operate 26 refineries located in eight provinces, four autonomous regions and one municipality. In 2008, our refineries processed approximately 849.8 million barrels of crude oil or an average of 2.3 million barrels per day. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we produced approximately 73.97 million tons of gasoline, diesel and kerosene and sold approximately 90.95 million tons of these products. In the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 77.1% of the crude oil processed in our refineries was provided by our exploration and production segment and approximately 20.3% of the crude oil processed in our refineries was imported. As of December 31, 2008, our retail distribution network consisted of 16,725 service stations that we own and operate and 731 franchise service stations.
 
Our chemicals operations commenced in the early 1950s, when we began producing urea at our first petrochemical plant in Lanzhou in northwestern China. In the early 1960s, we began producing ethylene. We currently produce and sell a wide range of basic and derivative petrochemical products and other chemical products through 13 chemical plants and four chemical products sales companies located in six provinces, three autonomous regions and two municipalities under the direct administration of the central government in China. Our other segments supply substantially all of the hydrocarbon feedstock requirements of our chemicals operations.
 
We are China’s largest natural gas transporter and seller in terms of sales volume. Our natural gas transmission and marketing activities commenced in Sichuan in southwestern China in the 1950s. In 2008, our sales of natural gas totaled 1,916.6 billion cubic feet, of which 1,718.5 billion cubic feet was sold through our natural gas and pipeline segment. As of December 31, 2008, we owned and operated regional natural gas pipeline networks consisting of 24,037 kilometers of pipelines, of which 21,304 kilometers were operated by our natural gas and pipeline segment. As of December 31, 2008, we owned and operated a crude oil pipeline network consisting of 11,028 kilometers of pipelines with an average daily throughput of approximately 3.12 million barrels of crude oil. As of December 31, 2008, we also had a refined product pipeline network consisting of 2,656 kilometers of pipelines with an average daily throughput of approximately 37,126 tons of refined products.
 
We have increased our efforts to pursue attractive business opportunities outside China as part of our business growth strategy to utilize both domestic and international resources to strengthen our competitiveness. Since 2005, we have acquired interests in various oil and natural gas assets in twelve countries, including, among others, Kazakhstan, Venezuela and Peru, which significantly expanded our overseas operations and effectively increased our oil and gas reserves and production volumes. We are currently assessing the feasibility of making further investments in international oil and gas markets.


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In the year ended December 31, 2008, we imported approximately 281.1 million barrels of crude oil, as compared to 272.3 and 228.8 million barrels of crude oil in the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Acquisitions
 
On April 28, 2008, we entered into an acquisition agreement with CNPC, pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the Northeastern Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Business Division of CNPC. Upon completion of the acquisition, we paid consideration of approximately RMB 43.8 million to CNPC, representing the value of the net assets of the Northeastern Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Business Division as at September 30, 2007. The parties also adjusted the consideration by reference to the net assets generated by the acquired operations for the period from October 1, 2007 to the completion date as shown in the management accounts. As of the end of the reporting period, the transaction has been completed.
 
On June 10, 2008, we entered into an acquisition agreement with CNPC, pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the refined products sales assets and business from CNPC. Upon completion of the acquisition, we will pay consideration of approximately RMB1,004.5 million to CNPC, representing the value of the net assets of the acquired business as at the valuation date. The parties will also adjust the consideration by reference to the net assets generated by the refined products sales assets and business for the period from the valuation date to the completion date as shown in the management accounts. As of the end of the reporting period, the transaction has not yet been completed.
 
On August 27, 2008, our company, CNPC and China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited, or HK Subsidiary, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNPC, entered into a sale and purchase agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to purchase or procure the purchase of, and CNPC has agreed to sell (through HK Subsidiary) or procure the sale of, a 100% interest in Sun World Limited indirectly held by CNPC through HK Subsidiary. Sun World Limited directly holds 2,513,917,342 shares in CNPC (Hong Kong) Limited, or CNPC (HK), representing approximately 51.89% of the issued share capital of CNPC (HK) (calculated on the basis of the total number of shares of CNPC (HK) as at the same date). We agreed to pay consideration of approximately HK$ 7,592.0 million. The above transaction was completed on December 18, 2008, when CNPC transferred to us approximately 56.66% of the issued share capital of CNPC (HK) (calculated on the basis of the total number of shares of CNPC (HK) as at the same date).
 
On November 19, 2008, six branch companies of our company and six subsidiaries of CNPC entered into acquisition agreements, pursuant to which we acquired the assets relating to the risk operation service business from these six enterprises. Upon completion of the acquisition, we paid consideration of approximately RMB 5,306.3 million to the six enterprises. The parties also adjusted the consideration by reference to the change in assets of the risk operation service business for the period from the date of valuation to the completion date on a dollar-for-dollar basis. As of the end of the reporting period, the transaction has been completed.
 
On May 15, 2009, PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of our company, and China Huayou Group Corporation and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau, each a wholly owned entity of CNPC, entered into acquisition agreements pursuant to which PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited agreed to acquire certain city gas business owned by the sellers in more than 10 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the PRC. The targets of the acquisitions include the equity interests in eight companies held by China Huayou Group Corporation and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau and relevant assets owned by China Huayou Group Corporation. Upon the completion of the acquisitions, Petrochina Kunlun Gas Limited will pay consideration of approximately RMB 1.1 billion to China Huayou Group Corporation and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau. The transaction is to be completed on or before December 31, 2009.
 
Our Corporate Organization and Shareholding Structure
 
We were established as a joint stock company with limited liability under the Company Law of the PRC on November 5, 1999 as part of a restructuring in which CNPC transferred to us most of the assets and liabilities of CNPC relating to its exploration and production, refining and marketing, chemicals and natural gas businesses. CNPC retained the assets and liabilities relating to its remaining businesses and operations, including assets and


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liabilities relating to international exploration and production and refining and pipeline operations. CNPC is our primary provider of a wide range of services and products. On April 7, 2000, we completed a global offering of H Shares and ADSs. In September 2005, PetroChina completed a follow-on offering of over 3 billion H Shares at the price of HK$ 6.00 per share. In October 2007, we issued 4 billion A Shares at an issue price of RMB 16.7 per share. The A Shares were listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on November 5, 2007. During 2008, CNPC increased its holding of our A shares by 242,519,441 shares via secondary market. As of May 12, 2009, CNPC beneficially owned 158,691,001,259 shares, which include 526,404,000 H shares indirectly held by CNPC through Fairy King Investments Limited, an overseas wholly-owned subsidiary of CNPC, representing approximately 86.71% of the share capital of PetroChina.
 
The following chart illustrates our corporate organization structure as of December 31, 2008:
 
(CHART)
 
 
(1) Indicates approximate shareholding.
 
(2) Indicates approximate shareholding, including the 526,404,000 H shares indirectly held by CNPC through Fairy King Investments Limited, an overseas wholly-owned subsidiary of CNPC, as of May 12, 2009.
 
(3) Includes subsidiary companies and those branches without legal person status.
 
(4) Represents enterprises directly administered and operated by such segment.
 
(5) Includes PetroChina Planning & Engineering Institute, PetroChina Exploration & Development Research Institute, CNPC E&D, PetroChina Foreign Cooperation Administration Department, IT Service Center, PetroChina International Co., Ltd., and Petrochemical Research Institute.


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The following chart illustrates our management structure:
 
(CHART)
 
 
(1) Includes subsidiary companies and those branches without legal person status.
 
(2) Represents enterprises directly administered and operated by such segment.
 

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For a description of our principal subsidiaries, see Note 35 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
General Information
 
Our legal name is “ (CHINESE CHARACTERS)”, and its English translation is PetroChina Company Limited. Our headquarters are located at 9 Dongzhimen North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, 100007, and our telephone number at this address is (86-10) 5998-6223. Our website address is www.petrochina.com.cn. The information on our website is not part of this annual report.
 
Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

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(MAP)


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Exploration and Production
 
We are engaged in crude oil and natural gas exploration, development and production. Substantially all of our total estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves are located in China, principally in northeastern, northern, southwestern and northwestern China. The Songliao basin, located in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces in northeastern China, including the Daqing and Jilin oil regions, accounted for 38.9% of our proved crude oil reserves as of December 31, 2008 and 39.3% of our crude oil production in 2008. We also have significant crude oil reserves and operations in the area around the Bohai Bay. The Bohai Bay basin includes the Liaohe, Dagang, Huabei and Jidong oil regions and accounted for 19.8% of our proved crude oil reserves as of December 31, 2008 and 19.5% of our crude oil production in 2008. Our proved natural gas reserves and production are generally concentrated in northwestern and southwestern China, specifically in the Erdos, Tarim and Sichuan basins. Our overseas proved crude oil reserves and proved natural gas reserves accounted for 5.7% of our proved crude oil reserves and 1.5% of our proved natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2008 and our overseas oil production and natural gas production accounted for 9.1% of our crude oil production and 3.9% of our natural gas production in 2008.
 
We currently hold exploration licenses covering a total area of approximately 446.4 million acres and production licenses covering a total area of approximately 16.4 million acres. In 2008, our exploration and production segment had income from operations of RMB240,198 million.
 
To further develop our crude oil and natural gas businesses, we have applied to the Ministry of Land and Resources for oil and gas exploration and production licenses covering the southern part of the South China Sea to commence offshore crude oil and natural gas exploration and production. We cannot assure you that we will ultimately obtain these licenses or that we will have sufficient capital to fund these activities.
 
Reserves
 
Our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2008 totaled approximately 11,221.3 million barrels of crude oil and approximately 61,189.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas. As of December 31, 2008, proved developed reserves accounted for 74.2% and 43.6% of our total proved crude oil and natural gas reserves, respectively. Total proved hydrocarbon reserves on a barrels-of-oil equivalent basis increased by 0.92% from approximately 21,223.9 million barrels-of-oil equivalent as of December 31, 2007 to approximately 21,419.5 million barrels-of-oil equivalent as of December 31, 2008, taking account of our overseas crude oil reserves of 645.2 million barrels and overseas natural gas reserves of 942.6 billion cubic feet, totaling 802.3 million barrels-of-oil equivalent. Natural gas as a percentage of total proved hydrocarbon reserves increased from 44.8% as of December 31, 2007 to 47.6% as of December 31, 2008.


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The following table sets forth our estimated proved reserves (including proved developed reserves and proved undeveloped reserves) and proved developed reserves of crude oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. We prepared our reserve estimates as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, on the basis of reports prepared by DeGolyer & MacNaughton and Gaffney, Cline & Associates, independent engineering consultants, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69, or SFAS No. 69. Our reserve estimates include only crude oil and natural gas which we believe can be reasonably produced within the current terms of our production licenses. See “Regulatory Matters — Exploration Licenses and Production Licenses” for a discussion of our production licenses. Also see “Item 3 — Key Information — Risk Factors” for a discussion of the uncertainty inherent in the estimation of proved reserves.
 
                         
    Crude Oil   Natural Gas(1)   Combined(1)
    (Millions of barrels)   (Bcf)   (BOE, in millions)
 
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves
                       
Reserves as of December 31, 2006
    11,618.0       53,469.2       20,529.4  
Revisions of previous estimates
    83.7       (1,063.0 )     (93.4 )
Extensions and discoveries
    763.9       6,331.4       1,819.1  
Improved recovery
    78.8       0       78.8  
Production for the year
    (838.8 )     (1,627.0 )     (1,110.0 )
Reserves as of December 31, 2007
    11,705.6       57,110.6       21,223.9  
Revisions of previous estimates
    (574.0 )     (636.3 )     (680.0 )
Extensions and discoveries
    885.4       6,579.0       1,982.0  
Improved recovery
    75.0       0       75.0  
Production for the year
    (870.7 )     (1,864.1 )     (1,181.4 )
Reserves as of December 31, 2008
    11,221.3       61,189.2       21,419.5  
Proved developed reserves
                       
As of December 31, 2006
    9,185.2       22,563.9       12,945.8  
As of December 31, 2007
    9,047.1       26,047.1       13,388.3  
As of December 31, 2008
    8,324.1       26,666.8       12,768.6  
 
 
(1) Represents natural gas remaining after field separation for condensate removal and reduction for flared gas.


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The following tables set forth our crude oil and natural gas proved reserves and proved developed reserves by region as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    Proved
      Proved
      Proved
   
    Developed
      Developed
      Developed
   
    and
  Proved
  and
  Proved
  and
  Proved
    Undeveloped   Developed   Undeveloped   Developed   Undeveloped   Developed
    (Millions of barrels)
 
Crude oil reserves
                                               
Daqing
    4,200.3       3,516.0       3,856.1       3,324.3       3,548.0       2,912.0  
Liaohe
    1,067.5       845.8       1,121.0       888.1       895.9       675.2  
Xinjiang
    1,306.6       1,077.0       1,354.9       1,198.9       1,302.6       1,106.6  
Changqing
    1,450.6       1,182.9       1,488.9       1,194.8       1,624.5       1,256.7  
Jilin
    775.5       501.8       784.2       463.4       819.8       441.0  
Dagang
    482.1       400.0       523.2       346.7       520.8       352.7  
Tarim
    523.9       370.4       590.3       379.7       594.0       371.3  
Huabei
    500.9       388.4       448.0       307.0       431.5       281.8  
Qinghai
    227.9       187.2       200.1       186.3       177.8       157.5  
Tuha
    156.5       104.9       164.7       91.7       162.3       97.8  
Sichuan
    11.7       5.4       9.5       4.4       13.1       3.6  
Jidong
    180.4       98.3       413.1       126.0       379.2       133.5  
Other regions(1)
    734.1       507.1       751.5       535.8       751.8       534.4  
                                                 
Total
    11,618.0       9,185.2       11,705.6       9,047.1       11,221.3       8,324.1  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    As of December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    Proved
      Proved
      Proved
   
    Developed
      Developed
      Developed
   
    and
  Proved
  and
  Proved
  and
  Proved
    Undeveloped   Developed   Undeveloped   Developed   Undeveloped   Developed
    (Bcf)
 
Natural gas reserves(2)
                                               
Sichuan
    10,362.8       4,867.3       10,400.5       4,365.5       11,285.4       4,030.4  
Changqing
    17,846.1       4,559.7       19,105.0       6,943.9       19,261.7       6,901.6  
Xinjiang
    1,723.0       1,047.0       1,537.1       999.3       4,061.8       2,028.7  
Daqing
    1,894.6       740.2       3,039.7       1,046.2       2,961.1       960.6  
Qinghai
    4,467.0       1,584.0       4,352.8       3,003.5       4,302.1       2,948.4  
Tarim
    14,443.6       7,818.4       15,114.3       7,918.8       15,516.4       7,722.7  
Liaohe
    429.3       338.8       386.4       296.2       283.2       193.6  
Tuha
    640.5       401.8       581.6       350.4       609.4       382.3  
Huabei
    340.3       264.6       193.1       119.2       207.8       133.7  
Dagang
    275.0       189.7       347.4       197.1       289.7       148.9  
Jilin
    198.6       113.7       1,169.9       104.1       1,180.5       113.4  
Jidong
    52.7       31.5       191.4       40.4       203.3       96.7  
Other regions(1)
    795.7       607.2       691.4       662.5       1,026.8       1,005.8  
                                                 
Total
    53,469.2       22,563.9       57,110.6       26,047.1       61,189.2       26,666.8  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Represents Yumen oil regions, oil regions under our subsidiaries in southern China, other smaller oil regions in China and our overseas oil and gas fields as a result of our acquisition of overseas assets.
 
(2) Represents natural gas remaining after field separation for condensate removal and reduction for flared gas.


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Exploration and Development
 
We are currently conducting exploration and development efforts in 12 provinces, two municipalities under the direct administration of the central government and three autonomous regions in China. We believe that we have more extensive experience in the exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas than any of our principal competitors in China. Since the early 1950s, we have been working on developing exploration and recovery technologies and methods tailored to the specific geological conditions in China.
 
The following table sets forth the number of wells we drilled, or in which we participated, and the results thereof, for the periods indicated.
 
                                                                             
Year
      Daqing   Xinjiang   Liaohe   Changqing   Huabei   Dagang   Sichuan   Others(1)   Total
 
2006
  Net exploratory wells drilled(2)     250       180       64       466       83       50       62       390       1,545  
    Crude oil     73       88       35       203       49       21             114       583  
    Natural gas     7       21       1       37             7       31       6       110  
    Dry(3)     170       71       28       226       34       22       31       270       852  
    Net development wells drilled(2)     4,183       1,605       713       2,023       330       179       57       2,361       11,451  
    Crude oil     4,160       1,586       688       1,772       225       173       9       2,235       10,848  
    Natural gas     23       8       14       216       105       6       40       123       535  
    Dry(3)     0       11       11       35       0       0       8       3       68  
2007
  Net exploratory wells drilled(2)     294       183       68       447       104       70       48       415       1,629  
    Crude oil     103       103       49       186       47       59       3       141       691  
    Natural gas     12       15             41                   30       16       114  
    Dry(3)     179       65       19       220       57       11       15       258       824  
    Net development wells drilled(2)     4,670       1,350       529       3,087       528       260       83       2,377       12,884  
    Crude oil     4,643       1,346       515       2,652       259       252       8       2,208       11,883  
    Natural gas     17       4       11       384       269       8       75       163       931  
    Dry(3)     10             3       51                         6       70  
2008
  Net exploratory wells drilled(2)     234       162       63       583       94       91       67       354       1,648  
    Crude oil     71       72       38       207       42       69       2       136       637  
    Natural gas     1       15       0       26       0       0       38       12       92  
    Dry(3)     162       75       25       350       52       22       27       206       919  
    Net development wells drilled(2)     4,238       1,887       356       5,079       415       238       100       2,887       15,200  
    Crude oil     4,223       1,868       349       4,469       225       226       2       2,685       14,047  
    Natural gas     4       18       6       528       186       8       77       179       1,006  
    Dry(3)     11       1       1       82       4       4       21       23       147  
 
 
(1) Represents the Jilin, Tarim, Tuha, Qinghai, Jidong, Yumen and other oil regions.
 
(2) “Net” wells refer to the wells after deducting interests of others. No third parties own any interests in any of our wells.
 
(3) “Dry” wells are wells with insufficient reserves to sustain commercial production.


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Oil-and-Gas Properties
 
The following table sets forth our interests in developed and undeveloped acreage by oil region and in productive crude oil and natural gas wells as of December 31, 2008.
 
                                                 
            Acreage(1)
    Productive Wells(1)   Developed   Undeveloped
Oil Region
  Crude Oil   Natural Gas   Crude Oil   Natural Gas   Crude Oil   Natural Gas
            (Thousands of acres)
 
Daqing
    76,882       221       822.7       85.3       797.1       112.6  
Liaohe
    21,534       606       192.1       35.8       88.5       6.5  
Xinjiang
    25,049       140       301.2       49.0       156.8       30.2  
Jilin
    26,040       164       298.5       30.1       321.3       20.9  
Changqing
    26,848       2,957       539.1       2,193.0       335.8       1,887.5  
Huabei
    7,627       105       141.2       12.3       57.7       2.9  
Dagang
    5,133       65       106.9       24.5       64.3       21.4  
Tuha
    2,577       100       47.0       23.6       28.9       8.3  
Tarim
    1,251       210       107.0       72.0       61.7       202.2  
Sichuan
    432       1,498       335.5       382.8             402.8  
Other regions(2)
    6,380       397       71.2       32.5       45.7       25.1  
Total
    199,753       6,463       2,926.4       2,940.9       1,957.8       2,720.4  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Includes all wells and acreage in which we have an interest. No third parties own any interests in any of our wells or acreage.
 
(2) Represents the Qinghai, Jidong, Yumen, Zhejiang and other oil regions.
 
Approximately 65.7% of our proved crude oil reserves are concentrated in the Daqing, Liaohe and Xinjiang oil regions and the Changqing oil and gas region, and approximately 82.3% of our proved natural gas reserves are concentrated in the Changqing oil and gas region, the Tarim oil region, the Sichuan gas region and the Qinghai oil region. We believe that the Erdos, Junggar, and Songliao basins and Bohai Bay have the highest potential for increasing our crude oil reserve base through future exploration and development, and that the Erdos, Tarim, Sichuan, and Qaidam basins have the highest potential for increasing our natural gas reserve base through future exploration and development.
 
Production
 
The following table sets forth our historical average net daily crude oil and natural gas production by region and our average sales price for the periods ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                                 
    For the Year Ended
   
    December 31,   % of
    2006   2007   2008   2008 Total
 
Crude oil production(1)
                               
(thousands of barrels per day, except percentages or otherwise indicated)
                               
Daqing
    883.1       847.3       813.2       34.2  
Liaohe
    230.4       231.3       224.6       9.4  
Xinjiang
    244.2       249.4       246.9       10.4  
Changqing
    215.6       246.9       279.8       11.8  
Tarim
    123.9       131.6       132.7       5.6  
Huabei
    89.4       90.8       89.7       3.8  
Jilin
    115.6       120.0       121.2       5.1  


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    For the Year Ended
   
    December 31,   % of
    2006   2007   2008   2008 Total
 
Dagang
    93.6       91.2       92.2       3.9  
Tuha
    44.4       44.8       46.7       1.9  
Other(2)
    246.8       264.5       332.0       13.9  
                                 
Total
    2,287.0       2,317.8       2,379.0       100.0  
                                 
Annual production (million barrels)
    834.8       846.0       870.7          
Average sales price
                               
(RMB per barrel)
    476.8       496.3       608.1          
(US$ per barrel)
    59.81       65.27       87.55          
Natural gas production(1)(3)
                               
(millions of cubic feet per day, except percentages or otherwise indicated)
                               
Sichuan
    1,233.9       1,329.8       1,364.6       26.8  
Changqing
    650.4       838.4       1,024.5       20.1  
Daqing
    138.0       123.7       136.0       2.7  
Qinghai
    200.7       286.0       378.1       7.4  
Tuha
    133.4       111.5       107.0       2.1  
Xinjiang
    114.2       102.3       129.9       2.6  
Liaohe
    52.8       43.9       40.8       0.8  
Huabei
    41.3       39.1       38.9       0.8  
Tarim
    1,015.7       1,383.1       1,564.1       30.7  
Dagang
    28.7       43.0       44.2       0.9  
Other(4)
    152.8       158.7       265.2       5.1  
                                 
Total
    3,761.9       4,459.5       5,093.3       100.0  
                                 
Annual production (Bcf)
    1,373.1       1,627.7       1,864.2          
Average sales price
                               
(RMB per Mcf)
    27.6       29.0       32.3          
(US$ per Mcf)
    3.46       3.81       4.65          
 
 
(1) Production volumes for each region include our share of the production from all of our cooperative projects with foreign companies in that region.
 
(2) Represents production from the Qinghai, Jidong, Yumen and other oil regions and our share of overseas production as a result of our acquisition of overseas assets.
 
(3) Represents production of natural gas for sale.
 
(4) Represents production from the Jilin, Jidong, Yumen and other oil regions and our share of overseas production as a result of our acquisition of overseas assets.
 
In 2008, we supplied approximately 84.6% of our total crude oil sales to our refineries, 4.7% to Sinopec’s refineries, 8.0% to companies or entities outside China, and the remaining 2.7% to regional refineries or other entities. We entered into a crude oil mutual supply framework agreement with Sinopec on December 19, 2008 for the supply of crude oil to each other’s refineries in 2009. Under this agreement, we agreed in principle to supply 50.3 million barrels of crude oil to Sinopec, and Sinopec agreed in principle to supply to us approximately 5.28 million barrels of crude oil in 2009 at negotiated prices based on the Singapore market FOB prices for crude oil. See “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Regulatory Matters — Pricing” for a detailed discussion of the crude oil premium and discount calculation. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the average

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lifting costs of our crude oil and natural gas production were US$6.74 per barrel-of-oil equivalent, US$7.75 per barrel-of-oil equivalent and US$9.48 per barrel-of-oil equivalent, respectively.
 
Principal Oil and Gas Regions
 
Daqing Oil Region
 
The Daqing oil region, our largest oil and gas producing property, is located in the Songliao basin and covers an area of approximately one million acres. The successful discovery and development of the oil fields in the Daqing oil region marked a critical breakthrough in the history of both our company and the PRC oil and gas industry. In terms of proved hydrocarbon reserves and annual production, the Daqing oil region is the largest oil region in China and one of the most prolific oil and gas properties in the world. We commenced exploration activities in the Daqing oil region in 1955 and discovered oil in the region in 1959. Annual crude oil production volume in the Daqing oil region reached one million barrels per day in 1976 and remained relatively stable until 2002. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, our crude oil production volume in the Daqing oil region was 883.1 thousand barrels per day, 847.3 thousand barrels per day and 813.2 thousand barrels per day, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, we produced crude oil from 20 fields in the Daqing oil region.
 
As of December 31, 2008, our proved crude oil reserves in the Daqing oil region were 3,548.0 million barrels, representing 31.6% of our total proved crude oil reserves. The proved crude oil reserves in our Daqing oil region have gradually decreased since 1996 because the crude oil production exceeded the crude oil reserve additions in our Daqing oil region in each year since 1996. As of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the proved crude oil reserves in our Daqing oil region were 4,200.3 million barrels, 3,856.1 million barrels, and 3,548.0 million barrels, respectively. In 2008, our oil fields in the Daqing oil region produced an average of 813.2 thousand barrels of crude oil per day, representing approximately 34.2% of our total daily crude oil production. The crude oil production in our Daqing oil region decreased by 3.8% from 309.3 million barrels in 2007 to 297.6 million barrels in 2008. In 2008, the crude oil reserve-to-production ratio of the Daqing oil region was 11.92 years, compared to 12.47 years in 2007.
 
The crude oil we produce in the Daqing oil region has an average API gravity of 35.7 degrees. In 2008, the crude oil we produced in the Daqing oil region had an average water cut of 91.2%, increased from the average water cut of 90.98% in 2007.
 
The crude oil in the Daqing oil region is primarily located in large reservoirs with relatively moderate depths of approximately 900 meters to 1,500 meters and with relatively simple geological structures and most of the crude oil produced at Daqing is medium viscosity oil. Crude oil produced using enhanced recovery techniques accounted for 27.0%, 27.0% and 27.4% of our crude oil production from the Daqing oil region in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Because our oil fields in the Daqing oil region are relatively mature, the difficulty of extracting crude oil from these fields has increased in recent years and is likely to continue to increase gradually in the future. As a result, our lifting costs at these fields increased by 20.2% from US$8.09 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2007 to US$9.72 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2008. However, we have adopted a number of measures to contain the increase in our lifting costs at these fields. Those measures include:
 
  •  implementing ground optimization and simplification projects and reducing investments with low or no return so as to control cost from the source; and
 
  •  applying new technologies to reduce energy consumption to increase our ability to maximize profit.
 
Although we plan to continue to carry out these measures to contain the increase in our lifting costs, we expect our lifting costs at these fields will continue to increase gradually in the future.
 
We have an extensive transportation infrastructure network to transport crude oil produced in the Daqing oil region to internal and external customers in northeastern China and beyond. Crude oil pipelines link our oil fields in the Daqing oil region to the port of Dalian and the port of Qinhuangdao in Bohai Bay, providing efficient transportation for selling Daqing crude oil. These crude oil pipelines have an aggregate length of 2,451 kilometers and an aggregate throughput capacity of approximately 809.8 thousand barrels per day.


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Daqing’s crude oil has a low sulfur and high paraffin content. As many refineries in China, particularly those in northeastern China, are configured to refine Daqing crude oil, we have a stable market for the crude oil we produce in the Daqing oil region. In 2008, we refined approximately 83.11% of Daqing crude oil in our own refineries, exported approximately 1.35% and sold the remaining portion to Sinopec or other local refineries.
 
Liaohe Oil Region
 
The Liaohe oil region is one of our three largest crude oil producing properties and is located in the northern part of the Bohai Bay basin. We began commercial production in the Liaohe oil region in 1971. The Liaohe oil region covers a total area of approximately 580,000 acres.
 
As of December 31, 2008, our proved crude oil reserves in the Liaohe oil region were 895.9 million barrels, representing 8.0% of our total proved oil reserves. In 2008, our oil fields in the Liaohe oil region produced an average of 224.6 thousand barrels of crude oil per day, representing approximately 9.4% of our total daily crude oil production. In 2008, the crude oil reserve-to-production ratio in the Liaohe oil region was 10.7 years. In 2008, the crude oil we produced in the Liaohe oil region had an average API gravity of 26 degrees and an average water cut of 79.4%. We have proved crude oil reserves in 38 fields in the Liaohe oil region, all of which are currently in production. We produce several varieties of crude oil in the Liaohe oil region, ranging from light crude oil to heavy crude oil and high pour point crude oil.
 
We have easy access to crude oil pipelines for Liaohe crude oil. The pipelines linking Daqing to Dalian port and Qinhuangdao port pass through the Liaohe oil region. In 2008, we sold about approximately 90.11% of the crude oil we produced at the Liaohe oil region to our own refineries.
 
Xinjiang Oil Region
 
The Xinjiang oil region is one of our three largest crude oil producing properties and is located in the Junggar basin in northwestern China. We commenced our operations in the Xinjiang oil region in 1951. The Xinjiang oil region covers a total area of approximately 900,000 acres.
 
As of December 31, 2008, our proved crude oil reserves in the Xinjiang oil region were 1,302.6 million barrels, representing 11.6% of our total proved crude oil reserves. In 2008, our oil fields in the Xinjiang oil region produced an average of 246.9 thousand barrels of crude oil per day, representing approximately 10.4% of our total crude oil production. In 2008, the crude oil reserve-to-production ratio at the Xinjiang oil region was 14.2 years. In 2008, the crude oil we produced in the Xinjiang oil region had an average API gravity of 36.8 degrees and an average water cut of 76.2%.
 
Sichuan Gas Region
 
We began natural gas exploration and production in Sichuan in the 1950s. The Sichuan gas region covers a total area of approximately 2.3 million acres. The natural gas reserve-to-production ratio in the Sichuan gas region was approximately 22.6 years in 2008. As of December 31, 2008, we had 107 natural gas fields under development in the Sichuan gas region.
 
As of December 31, 2008, our proved natural gas reserves in the Sichuan gas region were 11,285.4 billion cubic feet, representing 18.4% of our total proved natural gas reserves and an increase of 8.5% from 10,400.5 billion cubic feet as of December 31, 2007. In 2008, our natural gas production for sale in the Sichuan gas region reached 499.4 billion cubic feet, representing 26.8% of our total natural gas production for sale and an increase of 2.9% from 485.4 billion cubic feet in 2007.
 
In 2007, we discovered significant natural gas reserves in the Guang’an field in the Sichuan gas region in our border expansion in that region. As of December 31, 2008, the Guang’an gas field had a proved natural gas reserve of 1,751.1 billion cubic feet. Currently, the Guang’an gas field is the largest gas field in the Sichuan basin. We have developed a broad range of technologies relating to natural gas exploration, production, pipeline systems and marketing activities tailored to local conditions in Sichuan.


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Changqing Oil and Gas Region
 
The Changqing oil and gas region covers parts of Shaanxi Province and Gansu Province and the Ningxia and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions. We commenced operations in the Changqing oil and gas region in 1970. In 2008, we produced 102.4 million barrels of crude oil in the Changqing oil and gas region.
 
In the early 1990s, we discovered the Changqing gas field, which had total estimated proved natural gas reserves of 19,261.7 billion cubic feet as of December 31, 2008, representing 31.5% of our total proved natural gas reserves. In January 2001, we discovered the Sulige gas field, which had total estimated proved natural gas reserves of 5,308.8 billion cubic feet as of December 31, 2008. In 2008 we produced 375.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas for sale in the Changqing oil and gas region, representing an increase of 22.5% from 306.0 billion cubic feet in 2007.
 
Tarim Oil and Gas Region
 
The Tarim oil and gas region is located in the Tarim basin in northwestern China with a total area of approximately 590,000 acres. As of December 31, 2008, our proved crude oil reserves in the Tarim oil region were 594.0 million barrels. The Kela 2 natural gas field, which we discovered in 1998 in the Tarim oil and gas region, had proved natural gas reserves of approximately 6,264.9 billion cubic feet as of December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, the proved natural gas reserves in the Tarim oil and gas region reached 15,516.4 billion cubic feet, representing 25.4% of our total proved natural gas reserves. Currently, the Sulige gas field is the largest natural gas field in China in terms of proved natural gas reserves.
 
In 2008, we produced 572.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas for sale in the Tarim oil and gas region. We have completed the construction of the pipelines to deliver natural gas in the Tarim oil and gas region to the central and eastern regions of China where there is strong demand for natural gas transmitted through our West to East natural gas pipeline project. See “— Natural Gas and Pipeline — Nature Gas Transmission Infrastructure” for a discussion of our West to East natural gas pipeline project. The commencement of the operation of this West to East natural gas pipeline significantly increased our natural gas production in the Tarim oil and gas region.
 


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Refining and Marketing
 
We engage in refining and marketing operations in China through 26 refineries, 23 regional sales and distribution branch companies and one lubricants branch company. These operations include the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of crude oil, and the wholesale, retail and export of refined products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, lubricant, paraffin, and asphalt.
 
In 2008, our refining and marketing segment had a loss from operations of RMB82,970 million.
 
The following sets forth the highlights of our refining and marketing segment in 2008:
 
  •  as of December 31, 2008, our refineries’ annual primary distillation capacity totaled 941.7 million barrels of crude oil per year, or 2,580.1 thousand barrels per day;
 
  •  we processed 849.8 million barrels of crude oil, or 2.3 million barrels per day;
 
  •  we produced approximately 73.97 million tons of gasoline, diesel and kerosene and sold approximately 90.95 million tons of these products;
 
  •  as of December 31, 2008, our retail distribution network consisted of:
 
  •  16,725 service stations owned and operated by us,
 
  •  731 franchise service stations owned and operated by third parties with which we have long-term refined product supply agreements, representing a significant decrease from last year, as a result of our termination of cooperation arrangements with certain franchise service stations that had demonstrated deficiencies in image, service or oil quality; and
 
  •  in 2008, our service stations, which are located throughout China, sold approximately 61.8 million tons of gasoline and diesel, representing 71.7% of the total of these products sold through our marketing operations.
 
Refining
 
Our refineries are located in eight provinces, four autonomous regions and one municipality in the northeastern, northwestern and northern regions of China.
 
Refined Products
 
We produce a wide range of refined products at our refineries. Some of the refined products are for our internal consumption and used as raw materials in our petrochemical operation. The table below sets forth production volumes for our principal refined products for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
Product
  2006   2007   2008
    (In thousands of tons)
 
Diesel
    44,226.5       47,345.4       48,294.4  
Gasoline
    22,027.2       22,018.7       23,465.2  
Fuel oil
    3,491.4       4,162.0       4,076.5  
Naphtha
    6,317.9       7,491.9       7,225.8  
Asphalt
    1,605.7       1,563.4       2,093.3  
Kerosene
    2,063.7       2,017.2       2,208.8  
Lubricants
    1,488.4       1,760.4       1,767.9  
Paraffin
    1,051.8       1,003.0       948.5  
                         
Total
    82,272.6       87,362.0       90,080.4  
                         
 
We optimize our production facilities mix to meet market demand and to focus on the production of high margin products. This has resulted in an overall modest increase in the production of lighter refined products which generally are higher margin products, such as gasoline and diesel.


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In recent years, we have made significant capital investments in facility expansions and upgrades to improve product quality to meet evolving market demand and environmental requirements in China. In each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, our capital expenditures for our refining and marketing segment were RMB19,206 million, RMB26,546 million and RMB20,274 million, respectively. These capital expenditures were incurred primarily in connection with the expansion and upgrades of our refining facilities, upgrade of our product quality, and expansion of our refined product retail marketing network and storage infrastructure for the purpose of maintaining and increasing our market share. In 2008, we had completed the construction or renovation of 19 refining projects including, among others, the construction of the 1.4 million tons/year continuous reforming and disproportionation unit at Liaoyang Petrochemical, the construction of the 1.8 million tons/year gasoline catalytic hydrofining unit at Lianzhou Petrochemical, and the expansion of the 420,000 tons/year acrylonitrile refining unit at Jilin Petrochemical. In addition, we have also focused on enhancing our processing technologies and methods. These efforts have enabled us to improve the quality of refined products at our refineries, particularly that of gasoline and diesel. We believe that our refined products are capable of meeting product specification and environmental protection requirements as set by the PRC government.
 
Our Refineries
 
Most of our refineries are strategically located close to our crude oil storage facilities, along our crude oil and refined product transmission pipelines and/or railways. These systems provide our refineries with secure supplies of crude oil and facilitate our distribution of refined products to the domestic markets. In each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, our exploration and production operations supplied approximately 82%, 80% and 77%, respectively, of the crude oil processed in our refineries.
 
The table below sets forth certain operating statistics regarding our refineries as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                         
    As of December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
 
Primary distillation capacity(1) (thousand barrels per day)
                       
Lanzhou Petrochemical
    212.6       212.6       212.6  
Dalian Petrochemical
    415.0       415.0       415.0  
Fushun Petrochemical
    186.2       186.2       186.2  
Daqing Petrochemical
    121.5       121.5       121.5  
Jinzhou Petrochemical
    131.6       131.6       131.6  
Jinxi Petrochemical
    131.6       131.6       131.6  
Jilin Petrochemical
    141.7       141.7       141.7  
Urumqi Petrochemical
    101.2       121.5       121.5  
Other refineries
    1,122.5       1,118.4       1,118.4  
                         
Total
    2,563.9       2,580.1       2,580.1  
                         
Refining throughput (thousand barrels per day)
                       
Lanzhou Petrochemical
    191.4       213.9       202.3  
Dalian Petrochemical
    244.7       233.5       267.2  
Fushun Petrochemical
    196.4       196.6       193.1  
Daqing Petrochemical
    128.5       124.3       117.1  
Jinzhou Petrochemical
    137.8       133.6       132.5  
Jinxi Petrochemical
    132.1       133.6       126.8  
Jilin Petrochemical
    146.5       146.1       136.3  
Urumqi Petrochemical
    98.0       106.1       110.3  
Other refineries
    875.3       968.8       1,036.4  
                         
Total
    2,150.8       2,256.5       2,322.0  
                         


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    As of December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
 
Conversion equivalent(2) (percent)
                       
Lanzhou Petrochemical
    53.3       53.3       53.3  
Dalian Petrochemical
    27.8       27.8       44.9  
Fushun Petrochemical
    70.7       70.7       70.7  
Daqing Petrochemical
    76.7       76.7       80.0  
Jinzhou Petrochemical
    84.6       84.6       84.6  
Jinxi Petrochemical
    66.2       66.2       66.2  
Jilin Petrochemical
    61.4       61.4       61.4  
Urumqi Petrochemical
    62.0       51.7       51.7  
Average of other refineries
    51.8       51.9       54.0  
 
 
(1) Represents the primary distillation capacity of crude oil and condensate.
 
(2) Stated in fluid catalytic cracking, delayed coking and hydrocracking equivalent/ topping (percentage by weight), based on 100% of balanced distillation capacity.
 
In each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the average utilization rate of the primary distillation capacity at our refineries was 95.9%, 97.7% and 94.9%, respectively. The average yield for our four principal refined products (gasoline, kerosene, diesel and lubricants) at our refineries was 65.7%, 65.6% and 65.8%, respectively, in the same periods. “Yield” represents the number of tons of a refined product expressed as a percentage of the number of tons of crude oil from which that product is processed. In each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the yield for all refined products at our refineries was 92.2%, 93.0% and 92.7%, respectively.
 
Dalian Petrochemical, Fushun Petrochemical and Lanzhou Petrochemical were our leading refineries in terms of both primary distillation capacity and throughput in 2008. They are all located close to our major oil fields in the northeast and northwest regions of China and produce a wide range of refined products. Lanzhou Petrochemical has a strategic position in our plan to expand our markets in refined product sales in the southwestern and central regions of China. It is located in the northwestern part of China, providing easy access to markets in the southwestern and central regions in China. As of December 31, 2008, these three refineries had an aggregate primary distillation capacity of 297.0 million barrels per year, or 813.8 thousand barrels per day, representing approximately 31.5% of the total primary distillation capacity of all our refineries as of the same date. In 2008, these three refineries processed an aggregate of 242.5 million barrels of crude oil, or 662.6 thousand barrels per day, representing approximately 28.5% of our total throughput in the same period.
 
Marketing
 
We market a wide range of refined products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene and lubricants, through an extensive network of sales personnel and independent distributors and a broad wholesale and retail distribution system across China. As of December 31, 2008, our marketing network consisted of:
 
  •  approximately 802 regional wholesale distribution outlets nationwide. Substantially all of these outlets are located in high demand areas such as economic centers across China, particularly in the coastal areas, along major railways and along the Yangtze River; and
 
  •  16,725 service stations owned and operated by us and 731 franchise service stations owned and operated by third parties.
 
In 2008, we sold approximately 86.1 million tons of gasoline and diesel. The PRC government and other institutional customers, including railway, transportation and fishery operators, are our long-term purchasers of the gasoline and diesel that we produce. We sell gasoline and diesel to these customers at the supply prices for special customers published by the PRC government. See “— Regulatory Matters — Pricing — Refined Products” for a

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discussion of refined product pricing. In 2008, sales of gasoline and diesel to these customers accounted for approximately 2.9% and 12.8% of our total sales of gasoline and diesel, respectively.
 
The following table sets forth our refined product sales volumes by principal product category for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
Product
  2006   2007   2008
    (In thousands of tons)
 
Diesel
    48,863.9       54,844.3       56,515.9  
Gasoline
    23,993.2       27,115.7       29,631.6  
Fuel oil
    8,711.2       9,656.2       8,414.6  
Naphtha
    6,887.6       8,347.6       8,628.2  
Kerosene
    2,047.4       3,782.2       4,797.9  
Lubricants
    2,044.4       2,348.5       1,977.1  
Asphalt
    3,321.2       4,387.1       3,315.2  
Paraffin
    1,104.3       1,021.8       908.3  
                         
Total
    96,973.2       111,503.4       114,188.8  
                         
 
Wholesale Marketing
 
We sell refined products both directly and through independent distributors into various wholesale markets, as well as to utility, commercial, petrochemical, aviation, agricultural, fishery and transportation companies in China. Our gasoline and diesel sales also include the amount we transferred to our retail operations. We made wholesale sales of approximately 1.36 million tons of gasoline and diesel to Sinopec in 2008, representing approximately 1.67% of our total sales of these products in the same period. In 2008, we sold approximately 14.3 million tons of our other principal refined products.
 
Retail Marketing
 
The weighted average sales volume of gasoline and diesel per business day at our service station network was 7.8 tons per service station in 2006, 8.4 tons per service station in 2007 and 9.6 tons per service station in 2008.
 
We sell our refined products to service stations owned and operated by CNPC. These service stations sell exclusively refined products produced or supplied by us in accordance with contractual arrangements between CNPC and us. Under these contractual arrangements, we also provide supervisory support to these service stations.
 
We currently use “ (LOGO)” for all our service stations.
 
Most of the service stations in our service station network are concentrated in the northern, northeastern and northwestern regions of China where we have a dominant wholesale market position. However, the eastern and southern regions of China have a higher demand for gasoline and diesel. We have made significant efforts in recent years to expand our sales and market share in those regions through expanding the number of our service stations and storage facilities in those regions. For example, we established an equity joint venture, BP PetroChina Petroleum Company Limited, in Guangdong Province in collaboration BP Global Investments Limited, a subsidiary of BP Amoco p.l.c. As of December 31, 2008, BP PetroChina Petroleum Company Limited owned and operated 469 service stations in the Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province.
 
We invested a total of RMB4,918 million in expanding our service station network in 2008. In 2008, we sold approximately 26,370 thousand tons of gasoline and diesel through our owned and franchised service stations in the eastern and southern regions of China, as compared to approximately 21,480 thousand tons and approximately 25,660 thousand tons we sold in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
 
In 2008, we acquired or constructed an aggregate of 414 service stations that are owned and operated by us, of which 280 are in the eastern and southern regions of China. We plan to further increase our retail market share and improve the efficiency of our retail operations, with a continued focus on the eastern and southern regions of China.


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We plan to invest approximately RMB7,000 million in 2009 to expand our service station network and storage infrastructure by adding approximately 300 new service stations.
 
The following table sets forth the number of service stations in our marketing network as of December 31, 2008:
 
         
Owned and operated by us(1)
    16,725  
Franchised
    731  
Total
    17,456  
 
 
(1) Includes 469 service stations owned and operated by BP PetroChina Petroleum Company Limited.
 
In order to improve the efficiency and profitability of our existing service station network, we standardize the interior and exterior of our service stations, our service procedures, staff uniforms and the product quality of all our service stations. We are in the process of constructing a centralized service station management system covering all our sales branches. As part of this effort, up to now, the computerized management system has been implemented at certain pilot service stations in Shandong, Shanghai and Dalian and this system will be extended to service stations across the country. We are making great efforts to promote the use of pre-paid gasoline/diesel filling cards at our service stations. In addition, we are developing convenience-store-like service stations with a view to improving the management and client service quality of our service stations. In addition to selling gasoline and diesel, we have planned to gradually increase the sale of lubricants and other non-fuel products at our service stations.


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Chemicals and Marketing
 
Through 13 chemical plants and four chemical products sales companies, we produce and market basic petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products. As of December 31, 2008, our chemicals and marketing segment reported a loss from operations of RMB2,877 million.
 
Our chemical plants and sales companies are located in six provinces, three autonomous regions and two municipalities under the direct administration of the central government in China. Most of our chemical plants are near to our refineries and are also connected with the refineries by pipelines, providing additional production flexibility and opportunities for cost competitiveness. Our exploration and production, refining and marketing, and natural gas and pipeline operations supply substantially all of the hydrocarbon feedstock requirements for our chemicals operations. We believe that the proximity of our refineries to our chemical plants promotes efficiency in production, secures feedstock supply and minimizes the risk of production interruption. Our production capacity and our market share in China for chemical products allow us to solidify our dominant position in the northern and western regions of China. In addition, our stable customer base in the eastern and southern regions of China provides us with the opportunity to expand our market share in these regions.
 
Our Chemical Products
 
The table below sets forth the production volumes of our principal chemical products for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    (In thousand tons)
 
Basic petrochemicals
                       
Propylene
    2,671.2       3,083.2       3,152.4  
Ethylene
    2,067.9       2,581.5       2,675.6  
Benzene
    749.6       827.8       943.5  
Derivative petrochemicals
                       
Synthetic resin
                       
Polyethylene
    1,531.3       2,101.2       2,153.7  
Polypropylene
    1,291.0       1,630.2       1,730.0  
ABS
    223.0       215.0       198.9  
Other synthetic resin products
    15.8       16.1       16.9  
Synthetic fiber
                       
Polyacrylic fiber
    81.0       79.3       61.6  
Terylene fiber
    53.3       48.1       35.7  
Other synthetic fiber products
    6.4       9.3       9.0  
Synthetic rubber
                       
Styrene butadiene rubber
    212.9       210.6       249.6  
Other synthetic rubber products
    99.1       100.0       94.4  
Intermediates
                       
Alkylbenzene
    207.9       197.5       205.4  
Other chemicals
                       
Urea
    3,576.3       3,634.5       3,823.7  
 
We are one of the major producers of ethylene in China. We use the bulk of the ethylene we produce as a principal feedstock for the production of many chemical products, such as polyethylene. As of December 31, 2008, our annual ethylene production capacity was 2,710 thousand tons, remaining the same compared with the year ended December 31, 2007. Our production volume of ethylene increased by 3.7% from 2,581.5 thousand tons in 2007 to 2,675.6 thousand tons in 2008. We expect to complete the 1,000,000 tons/ year ethylene production project


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at Dushanzi Petrochemical by the end of 2009. The petrochemical ethylene projects at Fushun Petrochemical, Sichuan Petrochemical and Daqing Petrochemical have been approved by the National Development and Reform Commission and we are currently in the process of implementing these projects.
 
In 2008, the monthly average capacity utilization rate at our ethylene production facilities was 98.7%. The cost of ethylene production is an important component of our overall chemical production costs. Reduction of energy consumption and raw material loss is a key factor in reducing ethylene production costs. We have implemented a series of measures to reduce energy consumption. The average energy consumption of our ethylene production facilities was 748.4, 743.8 and 713.8 kilograms of standard oil per ton in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. This is significantly higher than the world average of 500 to 690 kilograms of standard oil per ton. We plan to continue to implement measures to reduce our energy consumption.
 
In addition, high ethylene percentage loss has also contributed to the relatively high cost of our ethylene production. In order to reduce high ethylene percentage loss in our ethylene production, we have implemented a series of measures at our chemical plants in the past several years, such as improving our process management of key units for ethylene production, reducing unplanned temporary interruptions of our chemical facilities and enhancing pyrolysis material composition and production plans. As a result, the average ethylene percentage loss at our chemical plants decreased from 0.61% in 2005 to 0.47% in 2008.
 
We produce a number of synthetic resin products, including polyethylene, polypropylene and ABS. As of December 31, 2008, our production capacities for polyethylene, polypropylene and ABS were 2,212 thousand tons, 1,864 thousand tons and 220 thousand tons, respectively. In 2008, we produced 2,153.7 thousand tons and 1,730 thousand tons of polyethylene and polypropylene, respectively, which respectively increased by 2.5% and 6.1% as compared with 2007. Currently, China imports significant volumes of these products to meet the domestic demand due to an inadequate supply of high-quality domestically produced polyethylene and polypropylene. We intend to increase the production, and improve the quality, of these products. We have built new production facilities with new technology for the production of these products in Daqing Petrochemical, Daqing Refining and Chemical, Fushun Petrochemical, Jilin Petrochemical, Lanzhou Petrochemical, Dalian Petrochemical and other branch companies to meet this target.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
Our chemical products are distributed to a number of industries that manufacture components used in a wide range of applications, including automotive, construction, electronics, medical manufacturing, printing, electrical appliances, household products, insulation, packaging, paper, textile, paint, footwear, agriculture and furniture industries.


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The following table sets forth the sales volumes of our chemical products by principal product category for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
Product
  2006   2007   2008
    (In thousands of tons)
 
Derivative petrochemicals
                       
Synthetic resin
                       
Polyethylene
    1,594.8       2,102.4       2,194.9  
Polypropylene
    1,069.6       1,434.8       1,549.1  
ABS
    233.4       216.7       327.1  
Synthetic fiber
                       
Terylene fiber
    59.4       56.6       41.7  
Polyacrylic fiber
    91.2       71.6       67.5  
Synthetic rubber
                       
Butadiene styrene rubber
    203.4       219.0       233.8  
Intermediates
                       
Alkylbenzene
    127.9       156.6       164.6  
Other chemicals
                       
Urea
    3,570.6       3,662.2       4,393.2  
 


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Natural Gas and Pipeline
 
We are China’s largest natural gas transporter and seller in terms of sales volume, with revenues of RMB63,315 million and total sales volume of 1,916.6 billion cubic feet in 2008, of which 1,718.5 billion cubic feet was sold by our natural gas and pipeline segment. In 2008, our natural gas and pipeline segment generated income from operations of RMB16,057 million. We sell natural gas primarily to fertilizer and chemical companies, commercial users and municipal utilities owned by local governments.
 
The following table sets forth the length of our natural gas pipelines as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the volume of natural gas sold by us in each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
                         
    As of December 31 or Year
    Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
 
Length of natural gas pipelines used by our natural gas segment (km)
    19,662       19,792       21,304  
Total length of natural gas pipelines (km)
    20,590       22,043       24,037  
Volume of natural gas sold by our natural gas segment (Bcf)
    1,200.5       1,502.0       1,718.5  
Total volume of natural gas sold(1) (Bcf)
    1,357.0       1,647.8       1,916.6  
 
 
(1) Including both the natural gas sold to third parties and the natural gas sold within our company for the production of other products.
 
In addition, we also conduct the operation of crude oil and refined product transmission and storage infrastructure in the natural gas and pipeline segment.
 
Our Principal Markets for Natural Gas
 
In 2008, 27.8%, 20.9%, 16.7%, 3.7%, 4% and 26.9% of our natural gas sales were to the southwestern, northern, northwestern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions of the PRC, respectively.
 
Currently, Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality in southwest China are two of our principal markets for natural gas. We sold 478 billion cubic feet of natural gas to Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality in 2008, as compared to 462.1 billion cubic feet in 2007, representing approximately 24.9% of our total natural gas sales in 2008. We supply natural gas to Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality from our exploration and production operations in the Sichuan oil region. Our natural gas pipelines in these areas are well developed, consisting of a natural gas transmission network with a total length of approximately 6,965 kilometers. As these areas lack adequate supply of alternative energy resources, such as coal, we believe that we can further expand our natural gas sales as energy demand increases in these areas.
 
Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province and Shandong Province in northern China have high energy consumption levels. These areas are also important markets for our natural gas transmission and marketing business. We sold an aggregate of 349 billion cubic feet of natural gas to these areas in 2008, as compared to 261.3 billion cubic feet in 2007. Our natural gas sales to Beijing Municipality increased 30.5% from 151.1 billion cubic feet in 2007 to 197.2 billion cubic feet in 2008. We supply natural gas to Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province primarily from the Changqing oil region through the Shaanxi to Beijing natural gas pipeline, which is one of our natural gas trunk pipelines, and from the Huabei and Dagang oil regions. Currently, we have 2,827 kilometers of natural gas pipelines in these areas.
 
Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Henan Province, Shanxi Province, Hubei Province and Hunan Province are also our natural gas markets. In 2001, we completed the construction of the Sebei to Xining to Lanzhou natural gas pipeline and in 2004, we completed the construction and commenced commercial operation of the mainlines of the West to East natural gas pipeline and the Zhong County to Wuhan City natural gas pipeline. These three pipelines link our Xinjiang, Changqing, Sichuan and Qinghai gas fields with our natural gas markets referred to above. Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Anhui Province located in Yangtze River Delta have become our


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significant natural gas markets. In 2008, we sold 462.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas to this area, representing approximately 24.1% of our total natural gas sales in 2008.
 
Each year, we must supply natural gas to customers subject to the government-formulated guidance supply plan first as required by the PRC government. We enter into natural gas supply contracts with those customers on the basis of the amount of natural gas to be supplied according to the guidance supply plan for the following year’s supply.
 
Driven by environmental and efficiency concerns, the PRC government is increasingly encouraging industrial and residential use of natural gas to meet primary energy and environmental protection needs. The PRC government has adopted a number of laws and regulations to require municipal governments to increase the use of clean energy, such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, to replace the use of raw coal. Several municipal governments, including that of Beijing, have adopted policies to facilitate natural gas consumption in order to reduce the air pollution level. The PRC government has also adopted a preferential value-added tax rate of 13% for natural gas production as compared to a 17% value-added tax rate for crude oil production.
 
We believe that these policies have had a positive effect on the development and consumption of natural gas in many municipalities that are our existing or potential markets for natural gas. We believe that these favorable policies will continue to benefit our natural gas business.
 
Natural Gas Transmission Infrastructure
 
As of December 31, 2008, our natural gas and pipeline segment owned and operated approximately 21,304 kilometers of natural gas pipelines in China, which represented the vast majority of China’s onshore natural gas pipelines. Our existing natural gas pipelines form regional natural gas supply networks in northwestern, southwestern, northern and central China as well as the Yangtze River Delta. Our experience in the design, construction management and operation of our existing natural gas pipelines has enabled us to develop relatively advanced technologies and skills in China in long distance pipeline design, construction and automated operational communications. We believe that we will continue to benefit from those technologies and skills in the future expansion of our natural gas pipeline networks and their ancillary facilities.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we constructed and operated the following main natural gas pipelines in China:
 
West to East Natural Gas Pipelines
 
Completed in 2004, the main line of our West to East natural gas pipelines project links our natural gas fields in Xinjiang and Changqing with Henan Province, Anhui Province, Shanghai Municipality and other areas in the Yangtze River Delta. The total length of the main line is 3,839 kilometers.
 
The West to East natural gas pipelines project also includes three additional connecting pipelines. These lines are: (i) Hebei to Nanjing pipeline, completed in January 2006, starting at Qingshan, Jiangsu Province and ending at Anping, Hebei Province, with a length of 886 kilometers; (ii) Huaiyang to Wuhan pipeline, completed in December 2006, starting at Huaiyang, Anhui Province and ending at Wuhan, Hubei Province, with a length of 455 kilometers; and (iii) Lanzhou to Yinchuan pipeline, completed in July 2007, starting at Lanzhou, Gansu Province and ending at Yinchuan, Ningxia Autonomous Region, with a total length of 402 kilometers.
 
Our West to East natural gas pipelines has a designed annual throughput capacity of 423.8 billion cubic feet. As of December 31, 2008, we entered into long-term take-or-pay contracts with 65 subscribers and distributors to supply them with natural gas through the West to East natural gas pipelines. We sold 462.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas through these pipelines in 2008, representing approximately 24.1% of our total natural gas sales in 2008.
 
We believe that the successful completion of this natural gas pipelines project and associated storage facilities substantially enhanced our ability to capitalize on the anticipated growth in demand of natural gas in the destination regions. We are currently expanding the transmission capacity of the West to East natural gas pipelines by upgrading the existing gas compression stations and building additional stations to increase the throughput capacity. In addition, we began constructing the second phase of West to East natural gas pipelines project in


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February 2008, which will connect Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Ningxia Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province with a natural gas pipeline of 4,843 kilometers.
 
Zhong County to Wuhan Municipality natural gas pipeline
 
The Zhong County to Wuhan Municipality natural gas pipeline links our natural gas fields in the Sichuan gas region in the west to Hubei Province and Hunan Province in the east, with a total length of 1,375 kilometers, including the main line of 719 kilometers and three branch lines with a total length of 656 kilometers. This line has a designed annual throughput capacity of 105.9 billion cubic feet. The main line and its Xiangfan branch line and Huangshi branch line were completed and put into commercial operation in December 2004 and the Xiangtan branch line was completed and put into commercial operation in July 2005.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we entered into long-term take-or-pay contracts with 29 subscribers and distributors to supply them with natural gas through our Zhong County to Wuhan Municipality natural gas pipeline. We sold 68.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas through this pipeline in 2008, representing approximately 3.6% of our total natural gas sales for the period.
 
The First and Second Shaanxi to Beijing Municipality natural gas pipelines
 
The Shaanixi to Beijing Municipality natural gas pipelines link our Changqing oil and gas region with Shaanxi Province, Shanxi Province, Hebei Province and Beijing Municipality. The first line was completed in September 1997, with a length of 910 kilometers and a designed annual throughput capacity of 116.5 billion cubic feet. The second line was completed in July 2005, with a total length of 940 kilometers and a designed annual throughput capacity of 423.8 billion cubic feet.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we entered into long-term take-or-pay contracts with 58 subscribers and distributors to supply them with natural gas through our Shaanxi to Beijing Municipality natural gas pipelines. We sold 333.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas through these pipelines in 2008, representing approximately 17.4% of our total natural gas sales for the period.
 
In addition to the major transmission infrastructures described above, we also operate other natural gas pipelines linking our domestic gas fields to natural gas consumption markets in China, including the pipeline network within the Sichuan gas region, the Sebei to Xining to Lanzhou natural gas pipeline, the Daqing to Harbin natural gas pipeline and Daqing to Qiqihar gas pipeline.
 
In 2008, we also commenced the construction of several natural gas pipeline projects to expand our existing transmission infrastructures. These projects include, but are not limited to, (i) Yongqing to Tangshan to Qinhuangdao natural gas pipeline of 321 kilometers that connects Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province, (ii) Changling to Changchun to Jihua natural gas pipeline of 221 kilometers that runs within the Jilin oil and gas region, and (iii) Naxi to Anbian natural gas pipeline of 106 kilometers that runs within the Sichuan gas region.
 
Crude Oil and Refined Product Transportation and Storage Infrastructure
 
We have an extensive network for the transportation, storage and distribution of both crude oil and refined products, which covers many regions of China. Our goal is to exploit and optimize our existing infrastructure to further consolidate our presence as the leading integrated oil and gas company in China.
 
In 2005, we completed the construction of the PRC portion of the Sino-Kazakhstan oil pipeline. The PRC portion, starting at Ala Mountain Pass and ending at Dushanzi in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, has a total length of 246 kilometers. Commercial operation of the Sino-Kazakhstan oil pipeline commenced in July 2006.
 
In June 2007, we completed the construction and commenced the commercial operation of the Dagang to Zaozhuang oil pipeline, which starts at Dagang, Tianjin and ends at Zaozhuang, Shandong Province, with a total length of 605 kilometers.


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As of December 31, 2008, our crude oil transportation and storage infrastructure consisted of:
 
  •  11,028 kilometers of crude oil pipelines with an average daily throughput of approximately 3.12 million barrels; and
 
  •  crude oil storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 19.3 million cubic meters.
 
We deliver crude oil to customers through our pipeline and storage facility network, through crude oil storage facilities that we lease from third parties and by ships leased by customers. In 2008, approximately 86.48% of our crude oil production was delivered to refineries through our crude oil pipeline network. We believe that our crude oil pipeline network is sufficient for our current and anticipated transportation needs. During the past three years, we have not experienced any delays in delivering crude oil due to pipeline capacity constraints.
 
Our transportation and storage infrastructure also includes:
 
  •  2,656 kilometers of refined product pipelines with an average daily throughput of approximately 37,126 tons; and
 
  •  refined product storage facilities with a total storage capacity of approximately 23.0 million cubic meters.
 
Most of our refineries are located in the northeastern and northwestern regions of China. Our ability to distribute products through our own product distribution infrastructure to the eastern and southern regions will provide us with greater flexibility in supplying refined products to the domestic markets across China. We plan to continue to enhance our product distribution infrastructure in the northeastern, northwestern, northern and southwestern regions where we already have a significant market share, and to expand our product distribution infrastructure in the eastern and southern regions by acquiring and constructing transportation storage facilities and distribution storage facilities in these regions.
 
Together with the expansion of our service stations, we expect that our pipelines, primary storage and secondary distribution storage facilities will significantly enhance our existing distribution infrastructure for refined products. We believe that our enhanced distribution infrastructure will help us increase the sales of our refined products.
 
Competition
 
As an oil and gas company operating in a competitive industry, we compete in each of our business segments in both China and international markets for desirable business prospects and for customers. Our principal competitors in China are Sinopec, including its subsidiary China National Star Petroleum Corporation, or CNSPC, and CNOOC.
 
Exploration and Production Operations
 
We are the largest onshore oil and gas company in China in terms of proved crude oil and natural gas reserves as well as crude oil and natural gas production and sales. However, we compete with Sinopec for the acquisition of desirable crude oil and natural gas prospects. Similarly, we will face some competition in the development of offshore oil and gas resources. We believe that our experience in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production and our advanced exploration and development technologies that are suitable for diverse geological conditions in China will enable us to maintain our dominant position in discovering and developing crude oil and natural gas reserves in China.
 
Refining and Marketing and Chemicals and Marketing Operations
 
We compete with Sinopec in our refining and marketing and chemicals and marketing operations on the basis of price, quality and customer service. Most of our refineries and chemical plants are located in the northeastern, northwestern and northern regions of China where we have the dominant market share for refined products and chemical products. We also sell our refined products and chemical products in the eastern, southern, southwestern and central-southern regions of China, where our products have a considerable market share. The eastern and southern regions of China, where refined products and chemical products are in higher demand, are important


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markets for our refined products and chemical products. Sinopec has a strong presence in the eastern and southern regions of China in competition with us, and most of Sinopec’s refineries, chemical plants and distribution networks are located in these regions in close proximity to these markets. Moreover, as the newly constructed facilities of CNOOC commenced operation, the competition has further intensified. We expect that we will continue to face competition from, among other competitors, Sinopec in increasing our refined products and chemical products sales in these regions. See “Item 3 — Key Information — Risk Factors”.
 
We also face competition from imported refined products and chemical products on the basis of price and quality. As a result of China’s entry into the WTO, competition from foreign producers of refined products and chemical products has increased as tariff and non-tariff barriers for imported refined products and chemical products are reduced or eliminated over time, including the opening over time of retail and wholesale markets in China for refined products and chemical products to foreign competition. Our ability to compete with foreign producers of refined products and chemical products will depend on our ability to reduce our production costs and improve the quality of our products. See “Item 3 — Key Information — Risk Factors”.
 
Natural Gas and Pipeline Operations
 
We are the largest natural gas supplier in the PRC. Currently, we face very limited competition in the supply of natural gas in Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province, Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Anhui Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province and the northwestern regions of China, our existing principal markets for natural gas. Currently, Sinopec has natural gas fields in Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality and sells natural gas to users in Sichuan and Chongqing. We, therefore, have limited competition from Sinopec in our markets in Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality. Further, we intend to expand our markets for natural gas into the coastal regions in southeastern China where we may face competition from CNOOC and, to a lesser extent, Sinopec. We believe that our dominant natural gas resources base, our relatively advanced technologies and skills in managing long distance pipelines will enable us to continue to be a dominant player in the natural gas markets in China.
 
Environmental Matters
 
Together with other companies in the industries in which we operate, we are subject to numerous national, regional and local environmental laws and regulations concerning our oil and gas exploration and production operations, petroleum and petrochemical products and other activities. In particular, these laws and regulations:
 
  •  require an environmental evaluation report to be submitted and approved prior to the commencement of exploration, production, refining and chemical projects;
 
  •  restrict the type, quantities, and concentration of various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling and production activities;
 
  •  limit or prohibit drilling activities within protected areas and certain other areas; and
 
  •  impose penalties for pollution resulting from oil, natural gas and petrochemical operations, including criminal and civil liabilities for serious pollution.
 
These laws and regulations may also restrict air emissions and discharges to surface and subsurface water resulting from the operation of natural gas processing plants, chemical plants, refineries, pipeline systems and other facilities that we own. In addition, our operations are subject to laws and regulations relating to the generation, handling, storage, transportation, disposal and treatment of solid waste materials.
 
We anticipate that the environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject will become increasingly strict and are therefore likely to have an increasing impact on our operations. It is difficult, however, to predict accurately the effect of future developments in such laws and regulations on our future earnings and operations. Some risk of environmental costs and liabilities is inherent in certain of our operations and products, as it is with other companies engaged in similar businesses. We cannot assure you that material costs and liabilities will not be incurred. However, we do not currently expect any material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of


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operations as a result of compliance with such laws and regulations. We paid pollutant discharge fees of approximately RMB211 million, RMB231 million and RMB200 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
To meet future environmental obligations, we are engaged in a continuous program to develop effective environmental protection measures. This program includes research on:
 
  •  building environment-friendly projects;
 
  •  reducing sulphur levels in heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel;
 
  •  reducing olefin and benzene content in gasoline, and continuously reducing the quantity of emissions and effluents from our refineries and petrochemical plants; and
 
  •  developing and installing monitoring systems at our pollutant discharge openings and developing environmental impact assessments for construction projects.
 
Our capital expenditures on environmental programs in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were approximately RMB4,634 million, RMB2,299 million and RMB1,366 million, respectively.
 
Because a number of our production facilities are located in populated areas, we have established a series of preventative measures to improve the safety of our employees and surrounding residents and minimize disruptions or other adverse effects on our business. These measures include:
 
  •  providing each household in areas surrounding our production facilities with printed materials to explain and illustrate safety and protection knowledge and skills; and
 
  •  enhancing the implementation of various effective safety production measures we have adopted previously.
 
We believe that these preventative measures have helped minimize the possibility of incidents that may result in serious casualties and environmental consequences. In addition, the adoption of these preventative measures has not required significant capital expenditures to date, and therefore, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We are involved in certain legal proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. We believe, based on currently available information, that these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
Properties
 
Under a restructuring agreement we entered into with CNPC on March 10, 2000, CNPC undertook to us the following:
 
  •  CNPC would use its best endeavors to obtain formal land use right licenses to replace the entitlement certificates in relation to the 28,649 parcels of land, which were leased or transferred to us from CNPC, within one year from August, September and October 1999 when the relevant entitlement certificates were issued;
 
  •  CNPC would complete, within one year from November 5, 1999, the necessary governmental procedures for the requisition of the collectively owned land on which 116 service stations owned by us are located; and
 
  •  CNPC would obtain individual building ownership certificates in our name for all of the 57,482 buildings transferred to us by CNPC, before November 5, 2000.
 
As of December 31, 2008, CNPC obtained formal land use right certificates for 27,615 of the 28,649 parcels of land and ownership certificates for some buildings. The governmental procedures for the above-mentioned service stations located on collectively owned land have not been completed to date. We believe that the use of and the conduct of relevant activities at the above-mentioned parcels of land, service stations and buildings are not affected by the fact that the relevant land use right certificates or building ownership certificates have not been


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obtained or the fact that the relevant governmental procedures have not been completed. Our directors believe that this will not have any material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We hold exploration and production licenses covering all of our interests in developed and undeveloped acreage, oil and natural gas wells and relevant facilities. See “— Exploration and Production — Properties”.
 
Intellectual Property
 
Our company logo “ (LOGO)” is jointly owned by us and CNPC and has been used since December 26, 2004. We have applied for trademark registrations of the logo with the State Trademark Bureau of the PRC. To date, several of our applications have been approved and others are either in the process of review or public announcement phase. In addition, we have applied for international trademark registration for our logo in other jurisdictions. We have received two Madrid International Trademark Registration Certificates for our logo covering 31 jurisdictions and 105 trademark registration certificates from individual countries and regions.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we owned approximately 2,900 patents in China and other jurisdictions. We were granted 258 patents in China in 2008.
 
Regulatory Matters
 
Overview
 
China’s oil and gas industry is subject to extensive regulation by the PRC government with respect to a number of aspects of exploration, production, transmission and marketing of crude oil and natural gas as well as production, transportation and marketing of refined products and chemical products. The following central government authorities exercise control over various aspects of China’s oil and gas industry:
 
  •  The Ministry of Land and Resources has the authority for granting, examining and approving oil and gas exploration and production licenses, the administration of registration and transfer of exploration and production licenses.
 
  •  The Ministry of Commerce:
 
  •  sets the import and export volume quotas for crude oil and refined products according to the overall supply and demand for crude oil and refined products in China as well as the WTO requirements for China;
 
  •  issues import and export licenses for crude oil and refined products to oil and gas companies that have obtained import and export quotas; and
 
  •  examines and approves production sharing contracts and Sino-foreign equity and cooperative joint venture contracts.
 
  •  The National Development and Reform Commission:
 
  •  has the industry administration and policy coordination authority over China’s oil and gas industry;
 
  •  determines mandatory minimum volumes and applicable prices of natural gas to be supplied to certain fertilizer producers;
 
  •  publishes guidance prices for natural gas and retail median guidance prices for certain refined products, including gasoline and diesel;
 
  •  approves significant petroleum, natural gas, oil refinery and chemical projects set forth under the Catalogues of Investment Projects Approved by the Central Government; and
 
  •  approves Sino-foreign equity and cooperative projects exceeding certain capital amounts.


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Exploration Licenses and Production Licenses
 
The Mineral Resources Law authorizes the Ministry of Land and Resources to exercise administrative authority over the exploration and production of mineral resources within the PRC. The Mineral Resources Law and its supplementary regulations provide the basic legal framework under which exploration licenses and production licenses are granted. The Ministry of Land and Resources has the authority to issue exploration licenses and production licenses. Applicants must be companies approved by the State Council to engage in oil and gas exploration and production activities.
 
Applicants for exploration licenses must first register with the Ministry of Land and Resources blocks in which they intend to engage in exploration activities. The holder of an exploration license is obligated to make a progressively increasing annual minimum exploration investment relating to the exploration blocks in respect of which the license is issued. Investments range from RMB2,000 per square kilometer for the initial year to RMB5,000 per square kilometer for the second year, and to RMB10,000 per square kilometer for the third and subsequent years. Additionally, the holder has to pay an annual exploration license fee that starts at RMB100 per square kilometer for each of the first three years and increases by an additional RMB100 per square kilometer per year for subsequent years up to a maximum of RMB500 per square kilometer. The maximum term of an oil and natural gas exploration license is seven years, subject to twice renewal upon expiration of the original term, with each renewal being up to two years. At the exploration stage, an applicant can also apply for a progressive exploration and production license that allows the holder to test and develop reserves not yet fully proven. Upon the detection and confirmation of the quantity of reserves in a certain block, the holder must apply for a production license based on economic evaluation, market conditions and development planning in order to shift into the production phase in a timely fashion. In addition, the holder needs to obtain the right to use that block of land. Generally, the holder of a full production license must obtain a land use rights certificate for industrial land use covering that block of land.
 
The Ministry of Land and Resources issues production licenses to applicants on the basis of the reserve reports approved by the relevant authorities. Production license holders are required to pay an annual production right usage fee of RMB1,000 per square kilometer. Administrative rules issued by the State Council provide that the maximum term of a production license is 30 years. In accordance with a special approval from the State Council, the Ministry of Land and Resources has issued production licenses with terms coextensive with the projected productive life of the assessed proven reserves as discussed above. Each of our production licenses is renewable upon our application 30 days prior to expiration. If oil and gas prices increase, the productive life of our crude oil and natural gas reservoirs may be extended beyond the current terms of the relevant production licenses.
 
Among the major PRC oil and gas companies, the exploration licenses and production licenses held by PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC account for the majority of mining rights in China. Among those companies, PetroChina and Sinopec primarily engage in onshore exploration and production, while CNOOC primarily engages in offshore exploration and production.
 
Pricing
 
Crude Oil
 
PetroChina and Sinopec set their crude oil median prices each month based on the average Singapore market FOB prices for crude oil of different grades in the previous month. In addition, PetroChina and Sinopec negotiate a premium or discount to reflect transportation costs, the differences in oil quality and market supply and demand. The National Development and Reform Commission will mediate if PetroChina and Sinopec cannot agree on the amount of premium or discount.
 
Refined Products
 
Since October 2001, PetroChina has set its retail prices within an 8% floating range of the published retail median guidance prices of gasoline and diesel published by the National Development and Reform Commission (but after March 26, 2006, the price of diesel for fishing vessels has been set in line with the published retail base price, with no upward adjustment for the time being). These retail median guidance prices of gasoline and diesel


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vary in each provincial level distribution region. From October 2001 to early 2006, the National Development and Reform Commission published the retail median guidance prices of gasoline and diesel from time to time based on the weighted average FOB Singapore, Rotterdam and New York trading prices for diesel and gasoline plus transportation costs and taxes. Generally, adjustments were made only if the weighted average prices fluctuate beyond 8% of the previously published retail median guidance price. In 2006, the PRC government, under its macro economic controls, introduced a mechanism for determining the prices of refined products.
 
On December 18, 2008, the PRC government further improved the pricing mechanism and the domestic prices of refined oil products continue to be indirectly linked to the international market. Under the improved mechanism, the domestic selling price of the refined oil products are determined on the basis of the corresponding international crude oil prices and by taking consideration of the average domestic processing cost, tax, selling expenses and appropriate profit margin.
 
Chemical Products
 
PetroChina determines the prices of all of its chemical products.
 
Natural Gas
 
The price of natural gas has two components: ex-works price and pipeline transportation tariff.
 
Prior to December 26, 2005, ex-works prices varied depending on whether or not the natural gas sold was within the government-formulated natural gas supply plan. For natural gas sold within the government-formulated supply plan, the National Development and Reform Commission fixed ex-works prices according to the nature of the customers. Most of these customers were fertilizer producers. For natural gas sold to customers not subject to the government-formulated supply plan, the National Development and Reform Commission published median guidance ex-works prices, and allowed natural gas producers to adjust prices upward or downward by up to 10%.
 
On December 26, 2005, the National Development and Reform Commission reformed the mechanism for setting the ex-works prices of domestic natural gas by changing the ex-works prices to governmental guidance prices, and categorizing domestic natural gas into two categories. On the basis of the ex-works price set by the government, subject to the negotiations between the seller and the buyer, the actual ex-works price of the first category may float upward or downward up to 10%; while the actual ex-works price of the second category may float upward up to 10% and downward to any level. The price of the first category will be adjusted to the same level as the second category within three to five years. The National Development and Reform Commission does not allow PetroChina and Sinopec to charge different prices towards internal and external enterprises. On November 10, 2007, the National Development and Reform Commission increased the ex-works price of the industrial use natural gas by RMB400/thousand cubic meters.
 
PetroChina negotiates the actual ex-works price with natural gas users within the benchmark price and the adjustment range set by the government.
 
The National Development and Reform Commission sets the pipeline transportation tariff for the natural gas transported by pipelines constructed prior to 1991. For natural gas transported by pipelines constructed after 1991, PetroChina submits to the National Development and Reform Commission for examination and approval proposed pipeline transmission tariffs based on the capital investment made in the pipeline, the depreciation period for the pipeline, the ability of end users to pay and PetroChina’s profit margin.
 
Production and Marketing
 
Crude Oil
 
Each year, the National Development and Reform Commission publishes the projected target for the production and sale of crude oil by PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC, based on the domestic consumption estimates submitted by domestic producers, including PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC, the production of these companies as well as the forecast of international crude oil prices. The actual production levels are determined by the producers themselves and may vary from the submitted estimates. Since January 1, 2007, when the Measures on


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the Administration of the Refined Products Market promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce became effective, qualified domestic producers are permitted to engage in the sale and storage of crude oil. Foreign companies are also allowed to establish and invest in enterprises to conduct crude oil-related business.
 
Refined Products
 
Previously, only PetroChina, Sinopec and joint ventures established by the two companies had the right to conduct gasoline and diesel wholesale business. Other companies, including foreign invested companies, were not allowed to engage in wholesale of gasoline and diesel in China’s domestic market. In general, only domestic companies, including Sino-foreign joint venture companies, were permitted to engage in retail of gasoline and diesel. Since December 11, 2004, wholly foreign-owned enterprises are permitted to conduct refined oil retail business. Since January 1, 2007, when the Measures on the Administration of the Refined Products Market became effective, all entities meeting certain requirements are allowed to submit applications to the Ministry of Commerce to conduct gasoline and diesel wholesale, retail and storage businesses.
 
Natural Gas
 
The National Development and Reform Commission publishes each year the production targets for natural gas producers based on the annual production target prepared on the basis of consumption estimates submitted by all natural gas producers such as PetroChina. The National Development and Reform Commission also formulates the annual natural gas guidance supply plan, which requires natural gas producers to distribute a specified amount of natural gas to specified fertilizer producers, municipal governments and enterprises. The actual production levels of natural gas, except the amount supplied to the fertilizer producers, are determined by the natural gas producers.
 
Foreign Investments
 
Cooperation in Exploration and Production with Foreign Companies
 
Currently, only CNPC and Sinopec have the right to cooperate with foreign companies in onshore crude oil and natural gas exploration and production in China. CNOOC has the right to cooperate with foreign companies in offshore crude oil and natural gas exploration and production in China.
 
Sino-foreign cooperation projects and foreign parties in onshore oil and gas exploration and production in China are generally selected through open bids and bilateral negotiations. Those projects are generally conducted through production sharing contracts. The Ministry of Commerce must approve those contracts.
 
As authorized by the Regulations of the PRC on Exploration of Onshore Petroleum Resources in Cooperation with Foreign Enterprises, CNPC has the right to enter into joint cooperation arrangements with foreign oil and gas companies for onshore crude oil and natural gas exploration and production. PetroChina does not have the capacity to enter into production sharing contracts directly with foreign oil and gas companies under existing PRC law. Accordingly, CNPC will continue to enter into production sharing contracts. After signing a production sharing contract, CNPC will, subject to approval of the Ministry of Commerce, assign to PetroChina most of its commercial and operational rights and obligations under the production sharing contract as required by the Non-competition Agreement between CNPC and PetroChina. See “Item 7 — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Contract for the Transfer of Rights under Production Sharing Contracts”.
 
Transportation and Refining
 
Since December 1, 2007, PRC regulations encourage foreign investment in the construction and operation of oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities but restrict foreign investment in refineries with an annual capacity of 8 million tons or lower. Construction of new refinery or ethylene facilities, expansion of existing refinery facilities and upgrading of existing ethylene facilities by increasing annual production capacity of more than 200 thousand tons are subject to the approval of relevant government authorities. The ethylene production projects with an annual production capacity exceeding 800 thousand tons must be majority-owned by Chinese parties. Furthermore, when appropriate, projects must receive necessary approvals from relevant PRC government agencies. See “Item 3 — Key Information — Risk Factors”.


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Import and Export
 
Since January 1, 2002, state-owned trading companies have been allowed to import crude oil under an automatic licensing system. Non-state-owned trading companies have been allowed to import crude oil and refine products subject to quotas. The export of crude oil and refined oil products by both state-owned trading companies and non-state-owned trading companies is subject to quota control. The Ministry of Commerce has granted PetroChina the right to conduct crude oil and refined product import and export business.
 
Capital Investment and Financing
 
Capital investments in exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas made by Chinese oil and gas companies are subject to approval by or filing with relevant government authorities. The following projects are subject to approval by the National Development and Reform Commission:
 
(1) new oil field development projects with an annual capacity of 1 million tons or above and new gas field development projects with an annual capacity of 2 billion cubic meters or above;
 
(2) facilities for taking delivery of, storing or transporting imported liquefied natural gas, and cross-province (region or municipality) major oil transmission pipeline facilities;
 
(3) cross-province (region or municipality) gas transmission facilities, or gas transmission facilities with an annual capacity of 500 million cubic meters or above;
 
(4) new refineries, first expansion of existing refineries, new ethylene projects, and transformation or expansion of existing ethylene projects which will result in an additional annual capacity of 200 thousand tons;
 
(5) new PTA, PX, MDI and TDI projects, and transformation of existing PTA and PX projects which will result in an additional capacity of 100 thousand tons;
 
(6) potassium mineral fertilizer projects with an annual capacity of 500 thousand tons or more; and
 
(7) national crude oil reserve facilities.
 
Taxation, Fees and Royalty
 
PetroChina is subject to a variety of taxation, fees and royalty. The table below sets forth the various taxation, fees and royalty payable by PetroChina or by Sino-foreign oil and gas exploration and development cooperative projects. Since January 1, 2000, PetroChina and its wholly owned subsidiary, Daqing Oilfield Company Limited, and branch companies have been taxed on a consolidated basis as approved by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Bureau.
 
         
Tax Item
 
Tax Base
 
Tax Rate
 
Enterprise income tax
  Taxable income   Since January 1, 2008, charged at the legal rate of 25%. However, certain of our qualified operations in west regions of the PRC are entitled to a rate of 15% prior to 2010.
         
Value-added tax
  Revenue   13% for liquified natural gas, natural gas, liquified petroleum gas, agricultural film and fertilizers and 17% for other items.
         
    Sales volume   5% for the Sino-foreign oil and gas exploration and development cooperative projects. However input value-added tax cannot be deducted.
         
Business tax
  Revenue from transportation services   3%
         
Consumption tax
  Aggregate volume sold or self-consumed   RMB0.2 per liter for unleaded gasoline
         


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Tax Item
 
Tax Base
 
Tax Rate
 
         
      RMB0.1 per liter for diesel.
         
      RMB0.2 per liter for naphtha, solvent naphtha and lubricants.
         
      RMB0.1 per liter for fuel oil
         
Resource tax
  Aggregate volume sold or self-consumed   Since July 1, 2005, resource tax applicable to crude oil of our company was adjusted upward from the original RMB8 to 30 per ton to RMB14 to 30 per ton, and the resource tax for natural gas was adjusted from the original RMB2 to 15 per thousand cubic meter to RMB7 to 15 per thousand cubic meter.
         
    The actual applicable rate for each oil field may differ, depending on the resource differences, volume of the exploration and production activities and costs required for the production at the particular oil field.
         
Compensatory fee for mineral resources
  Revenue   1% for crude oil and natural gas
         
Crude oil special gain levy
  Sales amount above specific threshold   Effective March 26, 2006, levied on the domestic crude oil sold at or above US$40/barrel, with a five-level progressive tax rates, varying from 20% to 40%
 
         
Exploration license fee
  Area   RMB100 to 500 per square kilometer per year
         
Production license fee
  Area   RMB1,000 per square kilometer per year
         
Royalty fee(1)
  Production volume   Progressive rate of 0-12.5% for crude oil and 0-3% for natural gas
 
 
(1) Payable only by Sino-foreign oil and gas exploration and development cooperative projects. The project entity of those cooperative projects is not subject to any other resource tax or fee.
 
The PRC Highway Law, as amended on October 31, 1999, provides that the PRC government will collect funds for highway maintenance by imposing fuel taxes. On December 18, 2008, the State Council promulgated the Circular on Implementing the Reform of Refined Oil Product Pricing and Relevant Tax and Charge Collection. According to the Circular, the PRC government will not impose the fuel oil tax. Instead, as part of the reform of the refined oil product pricing, the government will use the existing system of taxation, methods of tax collection and means of taxation administration to further improve the refined oil product pricing mechanism.
 
Environmental Regulations
 
China has adopted extensive environmental laws and regulations that affect the operation of the oil and gas industry. There are national and local standards applicable to emissions control, discharges to surface and subsurface water and disposal, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of solid waste materials.
 
The environmental regulations require a company, such as us, to register or file an environmental impact report with the relevant environmental bureau for approval before it undertakes any construction of a new production

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facility or any major expansion or renovation of an existing production facility. The new facility or the expanded or renovated facility will not be permitted to operate unless the relevant environmental bureau has inspected to its satisfaction that environmental equipment that satisfies the environmental protection requirements has been installed for the facility. A company that wishes to discharge pollutants, whether it is in the form of emission, water or materials, must submit a pollutant discharge declaration statement detailing the amount, type, location and method of treatment. After reviewing the pollutant discharge declaration, the relevant environmental bureau will determine the amount of discharge allowable under the law and will issue a pollutant discharge license for that amount of discharge subject to the payment of discharge fees. If a company discharges more than is permitted in the pollutant discharge license, the relevant environmental bureau can fine the company up to several times the discharge fees payable by the offending company for its allowable discharge, or require the offending company to close its operation to remedy the problem.
 
ITEM 4A — UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
We do not have any unresolved Staff comments that are required to be disclosed under this item.
 
ITEM 5 — OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
General
 
You should read the following discussion together with our consolidated financial statements and their notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
 
Overview
 
We are engaged in a broad range of petroleum and natural gas related activities, including:
 
  •  the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas;
 
  •  the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products;
 
  •  the production and marketing of basic petrochemical products, derivative chemical products and other chemical products; and
 
  •  the transmission and storage of crude oil, refined oil products and natural gas as well as the sale of natural gas.
 
We are China’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas and are one of the largest companies in China in terms of sales. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we produced approximately 870.7 million barrels of crude oil and approximately 1,864.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas for sale. Our refineries also processed approximately 849.8 million barrels of crude oil in the year ended December 31, 2008. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we had total revenue of RMB1,071,146 million and income for the year attributable to our shareholders of RMB114,431 million.
 
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
 
Our results of operations and the period-to-period comparability of our financial results are affected by a number of external factors, including changes in the prices of crude oil, refined products, natural gas and chemical products, decrease in our crude oil reserves in China and fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates.
 
Crude Oil Prices
 
Our results of operations are substantially affected by crude oil prices. Since March 2001, we and Sinopec have set our crude oil median prices monthly based on the Singapore market FOB prices for crude oil. Our actual realized crude oil prices include a premium on, or discount from, the median prices which primarily reflects transportation costs, differences in oil quality and market supply and demand conditions.


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The table below sets forth the median prices for our principal grades of crude oil in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the negotiated premiums or discounts applicable to those grades of crude oil since 2006.
 
                                                         
        Median Prices for Principal Grades of
           
        Crude Oil (RMB/Barrel)   Premium/(Discount)
        Year 2006
  Year 2007
  Year 2008
  (RMB/Barrel)
Grade of Crude Oil
  Benchmark   Average   Average   Average   2006   2007   2008
 
Daqing
    Minas       513       536       701       (3.8 )     (3.8 )     (3.8 )
Jidong
    Minas       513       536       701       (3.8 )     (3.8 )     (3.8 )
Huabei
    Minas       513       536       701       (2.4 )     (3.9 )     (3.9 )
Dagang
    Cinta       494       512       651       (2.5 )     (4 )     (4 )
Tarim
    Minas       513       536       701       (34.6 )     (51 )     (51 )
Tuha
    Tapis       554       571       729       (29.0 )     (36 )     (36 )
 
Increases or decreases in the price of crude oil in China have a significant effect on the revenue from our exploration and production segment. Our revenue from the exploration and production segment for the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB624,909 million, representing an increase of 32.4% from RMB471,928 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, mainly as a result of the increases in the prices and sales volume of crude oil and nature gas. In the year ended December 31, 2008, our average realized selling price for crude oil was RMB608 per barrel, increased by 22.6% from RMB496 per barrel in the year ended December 31, 2007. See “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Regulatory Matters — Pricing” for a more detailed discussion of current PRC crude oil pricing regulations.
 
Refined Product Prices
 
From October 2001 to December 18, 2008, we and Sinopec set our retail prices within an 8% floating range of the median gasoline and diesel guidance prices published by the National Development and Reform Commission or its predecessor, the State Planning Commission. Beginning from December 19, 2008, the PRC government set upper limits for the retail prices of various refined oil products, which had previously been allowed to float within a floating range of the median guidance prices. We determine the prices of other refined products with reference to the published median guidance prices of gasoline and diesel. Our retail prices may differ from those of Sinopec within a given market. Our average realized selling prices tend to be higher in the western and northern regions of China, where we dominate the market, as compared to our average realized selling prices in the eastern and southern regions, where Sinopec has a stronger presence. See “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Regulatory Matters — Pricing” for a more detailed discussion of current PRC refined products pricing regulations.
 
As of the end of 2007, the retail median prices were RMB5,980/ton for 90# gasoline and RMB5,520/ton for 0# diesel. The following table sets forth the adjustments that were made to such retail median prices from January 2008 to March 2009, as published by the National Development and Reform Commission.
 
                 
    90(#)
  0(#)
Date
  Gasoline   Diesel
    (RMB/ton)   (RMB/ton)
 
June 20, 2008
    1,000       1,000  
December 19, 2008
    (900 )     (1,100 )
January 15, 2009
    (140 )     (160 )
March 25, 2009
    290       180  
 
Chemical Product Prices
 
We determine and set the prices of all chemical products produced by our chemicals business segment based on market conditions.
 
Natural Gas Prices
 
Our natural gas price is comprised of the ex-works price and pipeline transportation tariff.


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We negotiate the actual ex-works price with natural gas users on the basis of the benchmark price set by the government and the adjustment range. See “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Regulatory Matters — Pricing” for a more detailed discussion of current PRC natural gas products pricing regulations.
 
We sold our natural gas at prices which exceed our production and transportation costs in 2008.
 
Foreign Currency Exposure
 
For a discussion of the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations, please see “Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Foreign Exchange Rate Risk”.
 
Interest Rate Exposure
 
For a discussion of the effect of interest rate changes on our results of operations, please see “Item 11 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Interest Rate Risk”.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires our management to select and apply significant accounting policies, the application of which may require management to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Notwithstanding the presentation of our principal accounting policies in Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, we have identified the accounting policies below as most critical to our business operations and the understanding of our financial condition and results of operations presented in accordance with IFRS. Although these estimates are based on our management’s best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.
 
Accounting for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities
 
We use the successful efforts method of accounting, with specialized accounting rules that are unique to the oil and gas industry, for oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, geological and geophysical costs incurred are expensed prior to the discovery of proved reserves. However, all costs for developmental wells, support equipment and facilities, and mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized as construction in progress pending determination of whether the wells find proved reserves. For exploratory wells located in regions that do not require substantial capital expenditures before the commencement of production, the evaluation of the economic benefits of the reserves in such wells will be completed within one year following the completion of the exploration drilling. Where such evaluation indicates that no economic benefits can be obtained, the relevant costs of exploratory wells will be converted to dry hole exploration expenses. The relevant costs will be capitalized if the evaluation indicates that economic benefits can be obtained. For wells that found economically viable reserves in areas where a major capital expenditure would be required before production can begin, the related well costs remain capitalized only if additional drilling is under way or firmly planned. Otherwise the well costs are expensed as dry holes. We have no costs of unproved properties capitalized in oil and gas properties.
 
Oil and Gas Reserves
 
The estimation of the quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves in oil and gas fields is integral to effective management of our exploration and production operations. Because of the subjective judgments involved in developing and assessing such information, engineering estimates of the quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves in oil and gas fields are inherently imprecise and represent only approximate amounts.
 
Before estimated oil and gas reserves are designated as “proved”, certain engineering criteria must be met in accordance with industry standards and the regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs


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under existing economic and operating conditions. Therefore, these estimates do not include probable or possible reserves. Our proved reserve estimates are updated annually by independent, qualified and experienced oil and gas reserve engineering firms in the United States. Our oil and gas reserve engineering department has policies and procedures in place to ensure that these estimates are consistent with these authoritative guidelines. Among other factors as required by authoritative guidelines, this estimation takes into account recent information about each field, including production and seismic information, estimated recoverable reserves of each well, and oil and gas prices and operating costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions. Therefore, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate of proved reserves also changes. We have no costs of unproved properties capitalized in oil and gas properties.
 
Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, estimated proved oil and gas reserve quantity has a direct impact on certain amounts reported in the financials statements. In addition to the capitalization of costs related to oil and gas properties on the balance sheet discussed earlier, estimated proved reserves also impact the calculation of depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses of oil and gas properties. The cost of oil and gas properties is amortized at the field level on the unit of production method. Unit of production rates are based on the total oil and gas reserves estimated to be recoverable from existing facilities based on the current terms of our production licenses. Our reserve estimates include only crude oil and natural gas which management believes can be reasonably produced within the current terms of the production licenses that are granted by the Ministry of Land and Resources, ranging from 30 years to 55 years from the effective date of issuance in March 2000, renewable upon application 30 days prior to expiration. Consequently, the impact of changes in estimated proved reserves is reflected prospectively by amortizing the remaining book value of the oil and gas property assets over the expected future production. If proved reserve estimates are revised downward, earnings could be affected by higher depreciation expense or an immediate write-down of the property’s book value had the downward revisions been significant See “— Property, Plant and Equipment” below. Given our large number of producing properties in our portfolio, and the estimated proved reserves, it is unlikely that any changes in reserve estimates will have a significant effect on prospective charges for depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses.
 
In addition, due to the importance of these estimates to better understanding the perceived value and future cash flows of a company’s oil and gas operations, we have also provided supplemental disclosures of “proved” oil and gas reserve estimates prepared in accordance with authoritative guidelines elsewhere in this annual report.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
We record property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties, initially at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into existing use. Subsequent to their initial recognition, property, plant and equipment are carried at revalued amount, being the estimated fair value at the date of the revaluation less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Revaluations are performed by independent qualified valuers on a periodic basis to ensure that the carrying amount does not differ materially from that which would be determined using fair value at the balance sheet date. Revaluation surpluses realized through the depreciation or disposal of revalued assets are retained in the revaluation reserve and will not be available to offset against possible future revaluation losses. As disclosed in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, our property, plant and equipment, excluding oil and gas reserves, were revalued as of June 30, 1999. Subsequently, our refining and chemical production equipment and oil and gas properties were revalued as of September 30, 2003 and our oil and gas properties as of March 31, 2006.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization to write off the cost or valuation of each asset, other than oil and gas properties, to its residual value is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of such asset as follows:
 
                 
Buildings and plant
            8-40 years  
Equipment and machinery
            4-30 years  
Motor vehicles
            4-14 years  
Other
            5-12 years  


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We do not provide depreciation for construction in progress until it is completed and ready for use.
 
The useful lives of non-oil and gas properties are estimated at the time these purchases are made after considering future changes, business developments and our strategies. Estimated production lives for oil and gas properties are also made after considering the specific factors discussed under “— Oil and Gas Reserves” above. Should there be unexpected adverse changes in these circumstances or events, which include, among others, declines in projected operating results and negative industry or economic trends we would be required to assess the need to shorten the useful lives and/or make impairment provisions.
 
In performing this impairment assessment, we review internal and external sources of information to identify indications of these unexpected adverse changes. The sources utilized to identify indications of impairment are often subjective in nature and require us to use judgment in applying such information to our businesses. Our interpretation of this information has a direct impact on whether an impairment assessment is performed as at any given balance sheet date. Such information is particularly significant as it relates to our oil and gas properties. If an indication of impairment is identified, the recoverable amount of each cash generating unit is estimated, which is the higher of its fair value net of selling cost and its value in use, which is the estimated net present value of future cash flows to be derived from the continuing use of the asset and from its ultimate disposal. To the extent the carrying amount of a cash generating unit exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognized in the income statement.
 
Depending on our assessment of the overall materiality of the asset under review and complexity of deriving reasonable estimates of the recoverable value, we may perform such assessment utilizing internal resources or we may engage external advisors to advise us in making this assessment. Regardless of the resources utilized, we are required to make many assumptions in making this assessment, including our utilization of such asset, plans to continue to produce and develop proved and associated probable or possible reserves, the cash flows to be generated based on assumptions for future commodity prices and development costs, appropriate market discount rates and the projected market and regulatory conditions. Changes in any of these assumptions could result in a material change to future estimates of the recoverable value of any asset.
 
Provision for Asset Decommissioning
 
Provision for future decommissioning and restoration is recognized in full on the installation of oil and gas properties. The amount recognized is the present value of the estimated future expenditure determined in accordance with local conditions and requirements. A corresponding addition to the related oil and gas properties of an amount equivalent to the provision is also created. This is subsequently depreciated as part of the capital costs of the oil and gas properties. Any change in the present value of the estimated expenditure other than the one due to passage of time which is regarded as interest cost, is reflected as an adjustment to the provision and oil and gas properties.
 
Impairment of Accounts Receivable
 
Accounts receivable are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized costs, using the effective interest method, less provisions made for the impaired receivables. In respect of accounts where there are indications that a receivable may be impaired or not collectible, a provision is recorded based on best estimates to reduce the receivable balance to the amount that is expected to be collected. Factors considered in making a provision include the historical payment and collection experience, debtors’ credit worthiness and appropriate discount rates. The recording of provisions requires the application of judgments about the ultimate resolution of these accounts receivable. As a result, provisions are reviewed at each balance sheet date and adjusted to reflect our current best estimates.
 
Deferred Tax Assets
 
We are required to exercise considerable judgment in making provisions for deferred tax under the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax is provided for temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying values for financial reporting purposes. However, deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business


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combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable income or loss. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and tax laws) that has been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply to the period when the related deferred tax asset is realized or deferred tax liability is settled. If these rates change, we would have to adjust our deferred tax in the period in which these changes happen through the income statement.
 
The principal temporary differences arise from depreciation on oil and gas properties and equipment and provision for impairment of receivables, inventories, investments and property, plant and equipment. Deferred tax assets relating to the carry-forward of unused tax losses are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilized.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Sales are recognized upon delivery of products and customer acceptance or performance of services, net of sales taxes and discounts. Revenues are recognized only when we have transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods in the ordinary course of business, and when the amount of revenue and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably and the collectibility of the related receivables is reasonably assured.
 
We sell part of the natural gas produced by us under take-or-pay contracts entered into with our customers. Customers who entered into such a take-or-pay contract are required to take or pay for the minimum amount of natural gas specified in the contract. Revenues from the sale and transportation of natural gas under take-or-pay contracts are recognized under the above accounting policies. Any advance payment for natural gas that has not been consumed will be recorded as deferred revenue until the natural gas has been actually consumed.
 
Acquisitions
 
We have acquired a number of companies from CNPC. As we and these companies were under the common control of CNPC, we have accounted for these acquisitions in a manner similar to a uniting of interests, whereby the assets and liabilities acquired were accounted for at carryover predecessor values to CNPC and the consolidated financial statements had been restated to give effect to the acquisitions with all periods presented as if the operations of our company and the acquired companies had always been operated on a combined basis.
 
Operating Results
 
The following discussion is based on our historical results of operations. As a result of the factors discussed above, such results of operations may not be indicative of our future operating performance. In 2008, we acquired 100% equity interest in Sun World Limited, a company wholly owned by CNPC. As we and Sun World Limited are under the common control of CNPC, this acquisition has been reflected in our consolidated financial statements as a combination of entities under common control in a manner similar to a uniting of interests. Accordingly, the acquired assets and related liabilities have been accounted for at carryover predecessor values and our consolidated financial statements for 2006 and 2007 have been restated to include the financial condition and results of operation of the acquired company as if our company and the acquired company had always been operated on a combined basis in these periods.


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Our income statement for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 is summarized in the table below.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    (RMB in millions)
 
Total revenues
    690,512       836,353       1,071,146  
Operating expenses
    (490,615 )     (635,582 )     (911,846 )
Income from operations
    199,897       200,771       159,300  
Exchange gain (loss), net
    272       (751 )     (1,081 )
Interest expense, net
    (1,125 )     (1,505 )     (689 )
Income from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    1,706       6,442       4,299  
Income before income taxes
    200,750       204,957       161,829  
Income taxes
    (50,602 )     (49,781 )     (35,178 )
Income for the year attributable to minority interest
    (6,637 )     (8,426 )     (12,220 )
                         
Income for the year attributable to our shareholders
    143,511       146,750       114,431  
                         
 
The table below sets forth our revenues by business segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as the percentage changes in revenues for the periods shown.
 
                                         
            2007
      2008
            vs.
      vs.
    2006   2007   2006   2008   2007
    (RMB in millions, except percentages)
 
Sales and other operating revenues
                                       
Exploration and production
    425,641       417,928       10.9 %     624,909       32.4 %
Refining and marketing
    543,299       670,844       23.5 %     886,472       32.1 %
Chemicals and marketing
    82,791       102,718       24.1 %     110,850       7.9 %
Natural gas and pipeline
    38,917       50,066       28.6 %     63,315       26.5 %
Other
    1,080       1,718       59.1 %     1,418       (17.5 )%
Total
    1,091,728       1,297,274       18.8 %     1,686,964       30.0 %
                                         
Less intersegment sales
    (401,216 )     (460,921 )     14.9 %     (615,818 )     33.6 %
                                         
Consolidated net sales from operations
    690,512       836,353       21.1 %     1,071,146       28.1 %
                                         
 
The table below sets forth our operating income by business segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, as well as the percentage changes in operating income for the periods shown. Other income from operations shown below consists of research and development, business services and infrastructure support to our operating business segments.
 
                                         
            2007
      2008
            vs.
      vs.
    2006   2007   2006   2008   2007
    (RMB in millions, except percentages)
 
Income (loss) from operations
                                       
Exploration and production
    221,781       207,503       (6.4 )%     240,198       15.8 %
Refining and marketing
    (29,164 )     (20,680 )           (82,970 )      
Chemicals and marketing
    5,058       7,831       54.8 %     (2,877 )      
Natural gas and pipeline
    8,986       12,495       39.0 %     16,057       28.5 %
Other
    (6,764 )     (6,378 )           (11,108 )      
                                         
Total
    199,897       200,771       0.4 %     159,300       (20.7 )%
                                         


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Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
Our income before taxation was RMB161,829 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing a decrease of 21.0% compared with the previous period. Income for the year attributable to shareholders of the Company was RMB114,431 million, representing a decrease of 22.0% compared with the previous period. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to our equity holders was RMB0.63 while the same for 2007 was RMB0.82.
 
Total Revenues.  Our total revenues increased 28.1% from RMB836,353 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB1,071,146 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This was primarily due to the increases in the selling prices and changes in the sales volume of major products including crude oil, natural gas and certain refined products, and the efforts made by us in expanding resources and developing markets by leveraging on the opportunities presented by high prices in crude oil and petrochemical products in the international market. In addition, the increase of the trading business of refined oil products during the year also increased our revenues.
 
The table below sets out the external sales volume and average realised prices for major products sold by us for 2007 and 2008 and percentages of change in the sales volume and average realized prices during these two years.
 
                                                 
    Sales Volume (’000 ton)   Average Realized Price (RMB/ton)
            Percentage of
          Percentage of
    2008   2007   Change (%)   2008   2007   Change (%)
 
Crude oil(1)
    20,465       18,730       9.3       4,264       3,594       18.6  
Natural gas (million cubic metre, RMB/’000 cubic metre)
    51,054       43,570       17.2       813       693       17.3  
Gasoline
    29,399       27,003       8.9       5,881       5,168       13.8  
Diesel
    56,081       54,377       3.1       5,526       4,668       18.4  
Kerosene
    4,798       3,782       26.9       6,355       4,684       35.7  
Heavy oil
    7,061       8,772       (19.5 )     3,541       2,519       40.6  
Polyethylene
    2,195       2,102       4.4       10,219       10,497       (2.6 )
Lubricant
    2,003       2,378       (15.8 )     7,515       6,420       17.1  
 
 
(1) The external sales volume of crude oil listed above is the crude oil produced by us.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 43.5% from RMB635,582 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB911,846 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, of which:
 
Purchases, Services and Other Expenses.  Purchases, services and other expenses increased 52.2% from RMB369,219 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB562,122 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This was primarily due to (1) an increase in the purchase prices and purchase volume of crude oil, feedstock oil and refined products from external suppliers that resulted in the increase in the purchase costs; (2) an increase in the lifting costs of oil and gas operations and the processing costs of our refineries that resulted from the increase in prices of raw materials, fuel, energy and other production materials in the PRC as well as an expansion of our production scale; and (3) impairment losses for decline in the value of inventories in the amount of RMB8,608 million were recorded during 2008, which was driven by the low price market conditions. In addition, the increase in the purchase expenses was also due to an increase in our refined oil products trading operations in 2008.
 
Employee Compensation Costs.  Employee compensation costs were RMB62,065 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing an increase of 11.7% compared with that of last year. This increase in employee compensation costs was mainly due to the adjustment to the level of salaries in line with the domestic commodity prices.


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Exploration Expenses.  Exploration expenses increased 4.4% from RMB20,956 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB21,879 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. To further boost crude oil and natural gas resources, we undertook more exploration activities for crude oil and natural gas.
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortisation.  Depreciation, depletion and amortisation increased 40.6% from RMB67,274 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB94,603 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This was primarily due to (1) an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortisation that resulted from an increase in the average costs of fixed assets and the average net value of oil and gas properties; and (2) as a result of the significant volatility in international crude oil prices in 2008 and deterioration in the overall international and domestic economic conditions since the fourth quarter of 2008 which resulted in the recoverable amounts of certain property, plant and equipment being less than their carrying amounts, we recorded impairment charges of RMB11,949 million and RMB4,235 million against the refining and chemical production assets and oil and gas properties, respectively.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 13.8% from RMB52,257 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB59,457 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This was primarily due to an increase in transportation, maintenance and other related costs that resulted from expansion in production scale and business development.
 
Taxes Other than Income Taxes.  Taxes other than income taxes increased 68.2% from RMB73,792 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB124,115 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase of RMB40,629 million compared with last year in the payment of the special levy on the sale of domestic crude oil by us as the average crude oil prices remained high throughout 2008.
 
Other Incomes/(Expenses), net.  Other incomes, net, was RMB12,395 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, while the other expenses, net, was RMB1,221 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to the recognition of government grants to our company for imported crude oil and refined products by the PRC government in the amount of RMB15,700 million.
 
Income from Operations.  As a result of the factors discussed above, income from operations decreased 20.7% from RMB200,771 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB159,300 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Net Exchange Loss.  Net exchange loss increased from RMB751 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB1,081 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in the net exchange loss was primarily due to the combined effect of the appreciation of Renminbi against the United States Dollar and other currencies.
 
Net Interest Expenses.  Net interest expenses decreased 54.2% from RMB1,505 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB689 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in net interest expenses was primarily due to the combined effect of a decrease in the interest expenses from the sharp reduction of average interest rates on loans and an increase in interest income from an increase in the average outstanding balance of deposits.
 
Income before Income Taxes.  Income before income taxes decreased 21.0% from RMB204,957 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB161,829 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Income Taxes.  Taxation decreased 29.3% from RMB49,781 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB35,178 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the combined effect of a reduction in the taxable income and the reduction of corporate income tax rate for 2008.
 
Income for the Year Attributable to our Shareholders.  As a result of the factors discussed above, income for the year attributable to our shareholders was RMB114,431 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of 22.0% from last year.


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Exploration and Production
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our exploration and production segment increased 32.4% from RMB471,928 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB624,909 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the prices and sales volume of crude oil and natural gas.
 
Intersegment sales revenue increased 32.1% from RMB378,888 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB500,522 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was mainly due to an increase in the prices of crude oil and natural gas and an increase in the intersegment sales volume.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 45.5% from RMB264,425 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB384,711 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to: (1) a significant increase in the expenses for crude oil imports; (2) an increase in the payment of the special levy on our sale of domestic crude oil as international crude oil prices were higher in 2008; (3) impairment charges for oil and gas properties increased sharply as a result of the significant volatility in the international crude oil prices.
 
Income from Operations.  Income from operations increased 15.8% from RMB207,503 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB240,198 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The income from the exploration and production segment reached a historically high level.
 
Refining and Marketing
 
Total Revenues.  Total Revenues from our refining and marketing segment rose 32.1% from RMB670,844 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB886,472 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the selling prices and sales volume of key refined products such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene, and an increase in the refined oil products trading business.
 
Intersegment sales revenue increased 51.3% from RMB63,766 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB96,490 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to increases in the selling prices and increase in intersegment sales volume of key refined products.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 40.2% from RMB691,524 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB969,442 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the purchase costs of crude oil, feedstock oil and refined products from external suppliers. An increase in the level of refined oil products trading operations in 2008 also led to an increase in the operating expenses.
 
Loss from Operations.  Loss from operations amounted to RMB82,970 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing an increase of RMB62,290 million against the figure for the year ended December 31, 2007. The loss was primarily due to the control of the domestic prices of refined products by the PRC government, as a result of which despite the increase in international crude oil prices in 2008, domestic prices of refined products were lower than that of the international market. In addition, impairment charges for declines in the value of inventories and for refining production assets increased significantly compared with that of last year due to the deterioration of overall economic conditions in 2008.
 
Chemicals and Marketing
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our chemical and marketing segment rose 7.9% from RMB102,718 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB110,850 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The growth was primarily due to an increase in the selling prices and changes in the sales volume of certain chemical products.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 19.9% from RMB94,887 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB113,727 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the prices of key chemical raw materials.


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Loss /Income from Operations.  The loss from operations amounted to RMB2,877 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The income from operations amounted to RMB7,831 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The loss in this segment was primarily due to the significant decrease in prices and sales volumes resulting from the decrease in domestic market demands for certain chemical products in the second half of 2008 caused by the global financial crisis. In addition, impairment charges for chemical production assets increased significantly compared with that of last year.
 
Natural Gas and Pipeline
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our natural gas and pipeline segment increased 26.5% from RMB50,066 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB63,315 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the selling prices of natural gas and an increase in the sales volume.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 25.8% from RMB37,571 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB47,258 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the purchase costs of natural gas and an increase in depreciation charges.
 
Income from Operations.  Income from operations increased 28.5% from RMB12,495 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB16,057 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The natural gas and pipeline business developed rapidly and has continued to increase its contributions to the income of our company.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
Consolidated Results of Operation
 
Overview
 
For the year ended December 31, 2007, our income before taxation was RMB204,957 million, representing an increase of 2.1% compared with the previous year. Income for the year attributable to shareholders of our Company was RMB146,750 million, representing an increase of 2.3% compared with the previous year. Our basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to our shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007 was RMB0.82 while the same for 2006 was RMB0.80.
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues increased 21.1% from RMB690,512 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB836,353 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to the increases in the selling prices and changes in the sales volume of major products including crude oil, natural gas and refined products. In addition, the increase in our refined oil product supply operations during the year also increased our revenue.
 
The table below sets out the external sales volume and average realized prices for major products sold by us for 2006 and 2007 and percentages of change in the sales volume and average realized prices during these two years.
 
                                                 
    Sales Volume (’000 ton)   Average Realized Price (RMB/ton)
            Percentage of
          Percentage of
    2007   2006   Change (%)   2007   2006   Change (%)
 
Crude oil(1)
    18,730       20,066       (6.7 )     3,594       3,487       3.1  
Natural gas (million cubic meter, RMB/’000 cubic meter)
    43,570       35,715       22.0       693       678       2.2  
Gasoline
    27,003       23,899       13.0       5,168       5,035       2.6  
Diesel
    54,377       48,516       12.1       4,668       4,411       5.8  
Kerosene
    3,782       2,054       84.1       4,684       4,502       4.0  
Heavy oil
    8,772       8,009       9.5       2,519       2,482       1.5  
Polyethylene
    2,102       1,590       32.2       10,497       10,299       1.9  
Lubricant
    2,378       2,059       15.5       6,420       6,433       (0.2 )
 
 
(1) The external sales volume of crude listed above is the crude oil produced by our company.


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Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 29.5% from RMB490,615 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB635,582 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, of which:
 
Purchases, Services and Other Expenses.  Purchases, services and other expenses increased 37.1% from RMB269,301 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB369,219 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to (i) an increase in the purchase prices and purchase volume of crude oil, feedstock oil and refined products from external suppliers that resulted in the increase in the purchase costs; and (ii) an increase in the lifting costs of oil and gas operations and the processing cost of our refineries that resulted from the increase in prices of raw materials, fuel, energy and other production materials in the PRC as well as an expansion of the production scale of our company. In addition, the increase in the purchase expenses also resulted from an increase in the refined product supply operations in 2007.
 
Employee Compensation Costs.  Employees’ compensation costs and benefits increased 29.4% from RMB39,292 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB50, 863 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to (i) our upward adjustment of the level of salaries and performance bonuses; (ii) an increase in the employees’ compensation costs that resulted from the expansion of our operation scale and retail network; and (iii) a sequential increase in the welfare expenses as a result of the increase in the salaries.
 
Exploration Expenses.  Exploration expenses increased 11.3% from RMB18,827 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB20,956 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased 8.2% from RMB62,155 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB67,274 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to an increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization that resulted from an increase in the average amount of property, plant and equipment and the average net value of oil and gas properties during 2007.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 20.4% from RMB43,402 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB52,257 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to an increase in transportation, leasing, maintenance and other related costs that resulted from expansion in the production scale and business development.
 
Taxes other than Income Taxes.  Taxes other than income taxes increased 29.0% from RMB57,208 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB73,792 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a sharp increase in our payment of the special levy on our sale of domestic crude oil as international crude oil prices remained high throughout 2007.
 
Income from Operations.  As a result of the factors discussed above, income from operations increased 0.4% from RMB199,897 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB200,771 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Net Exchange Loss.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, a net exchange loss of RMB751 million was recorded. For the year ended December 31, 2006, there was net exchange gain of RMB272 million. The net exchange loss was primarily due to a combination of the effects of the appreciation of Renminbi against the United States Dollar and other currencies.
 
Net Interest Expense.  Net interest expenses increased 33.8% from RMB1,125 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB1,505 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in net interest expenses was primarily due to an increase in interest expenses recognized as a result of the accretion expense in relation to asset retirement obligations.
 
Income Before Income Taxes.  Income before taxation rose by 2.1% from RMB200,750 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB204,957 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Income Taxes.  Income taxes decreased 1.6% from RMB50,602 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB49,781 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in our income tax for the year ended December 31, 2007 as we reassessed our deferred taxes based on the corporate


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income tax rate applicable to us under the Corporate Income Tax Law of the PRC which came into effect on January 1, 2008.
 
Income for the Year Attributable to our Shareholders.  As a result of the factors discussed above, income for the year attributable to our shareholders increased 2.3% from RMB143,511 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB146,750 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Exploration and Production
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our exploration and production segment increased 10.9% from RMB425,641 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB471,928 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to increases in the prices and sales volumes of crude oil and natural gas.
 
Intersegment sales revenue increased 10.7% from RMB342,386 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB378,888 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase was mainly due to an increase in the prices of crude oil and natural gas and an increase in the intersegment sales volume.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 29.7% from RMB203,860 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB264,425 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a sharp increase in the payment of the special levy on the sale of domestic crude oil by us as international crude oil prices remained high throughout 2007.
 
Income from Operations.  Income from operations decreased 6.4% from RMB221,781 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB207,503 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Exploration and Production segment remains our main source of external sales revenue.
 
Refining and Marketing
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our refining and marketing segment increased 23.5% from 543,299 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB670,844 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was due primarily to increases in the selling prices and changes in sales volume of our key refined products such gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The Refining and Marketing segment is our main source of external sales revenue.
 
Intersegment sales revenue increased 42.3% from RMB44,806 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB63,766 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to increases in the selling prices and increase in intersegment sales volume of key refined products.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 20.8% from RMB572,463 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB691,524 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to an increase in purchase expenses of crude oil, other feedstock and refined products from external suppliers, and an increase in the selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, the increase in our supply of refined products in 2007 also contributed to the increase in the operating expenses.
 
Loss from Operations.  Loss from operations amounted to RMB20,680 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, representing a reduction of RMB8,484 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The loss from the refining and marketing segment was primarily due to the control of the domestic prices of refined products by the PRC Government, as a result of which despite persistently high crude oil prices, prices of refined products were lower than that of the international market.
 
Chemicals and Marketing
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our chemicals and marketing segment increased 24.1% from RMB82,791 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB102,718 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to increases in the sales volumes and selling prices of certain chemical products.


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Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 22.1% from RMB77,733 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB94,887 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the purchase costs for direct materials and selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
Income from Operations.  As a result of the factors discussed above, income from operations increased 54.8% from RMB5,058 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB7,831 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Natural Gas and Pipeline
 
Total Revenues.  Total revenues from our natural gas and pipeline segment increased 28.6% from RMB38,917 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB50,066 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was primarily due to increases in the sales volume and selling prices of natural gas, as well as increases in the transmission volume and average transmission price of natural gas.
 
Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased 25.5% from RMB29,931 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB37,571 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 due primarily to an increase in purchase cost of natural gas.
 
Income from Operations.  As a result of the factors discussed above, income from operations increased 39.0% from RMB8,986 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 to RMB12,495 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The natural gas and pipeline business grew rapidly and has become our new income growth engine.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our primary sources of funding include cash generated by operating activities and short-term and long-term borrowings. Our primary uses of funds were for operating activities, acquisitions, capital expenditures, repayment of short-term and long-term borrowings and distributions of dividends to shareholders. Our payments to CNPC are limited to dividends and payments for services provided to us by CNPC. In the year ended December 31, 2008, we distributed as dividends 45% of our reported income for the year attributable to our shareholders. We expect that we will continue to distribute as dividends approximately 40% to 50% of our reported net income for all years. See “Item 8 Financial Information — Dividend Policy” for a discussion of factors which may affect the determination by our board of directors of the appropriate level of dividends.
 
Our financing ability may be limited by our financial condition, our results of operations and the international and domestic capital markets. Prior to accessing the international and domestic capital markets, we must obtain approval from the relevant PRC government authorities. In general, we must obtain PRC government approval for any project involving significant capital investment for our refining and marketing, chemicals and marketing and natural gas and pipeline segments. For a more detailed discussion of factors which may affect our ability to satisfy our financing requirements, see “Item 3 — Key Information — Risk Factors”.
 
We plan to fund the capital and related expenditures described in this annual report principally through cash generated by operating activities, short-term and long-term borrowings and cash and cash equivalents. Net cash generated by operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB170,506 million. As of December 31, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents of RMB32,944 million. While each of the projects described in this annual report for which significant capital expenditures will be required is important to our future development, we do not believe that failure to implement any one of these projects would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. If the price of crude oil undergoes a steep decline in the future, it is likely that we would delay or reduce the scale of the capital expenditures for our exploration and production segment.
 
In October 2007, we issued 4 billion A Shares, which have been listed and traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since November 5, 2007. The total proceeds and net proceeds from such issuance were RMB66,800 million and RMB66,243 million respectively. Of the net proceeds, approximately RMB6,840 million were used for the project to increase the crude oil production capacity of Changqing Oilfield; approximately RMB5,930 million were


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used for the project to increase the crude oil production capacity of Daqing Oilfield; approximately RMB1,500 million were used for the project to increase the crude oil production capacity of Jidong Oilfield; approximately RMB17,500 million were used for the project to process and refine sulphur-bearing crude oil imported from Kazakhstan and the ethylene technology development project of Dushanzi Petrochemical, and approximately RMB6,000 million were used for the 1.2 million tons/year ethylene redevelopment and expansion project of Daqing Petrochemical. The balance of the net proceeds will be used as additional working capital and for general commercial purpose. A total of RMB52,817 million were used by the end of 2008, and the unused amount currently is deposited a special bank account of our company.
 
We currently do not have any outstanding options, warrants or other rights for any persons to require us to issue any common stock at a price below its market value. We do not currently intend to issue any such rights or to otherwise issue any common stock for a price below its market value.
 
In addition, we did not have for the year ended December 31, 2008, and do not currently have, any transactions, arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons that are reasonably likely to materially affect the liquidity or availability of or requirements for our capital resources.
 
The table below sets forth our cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and our cash equivalents at the end of each period.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    (RMB in millions)
 
Net cash generated by operating activities
    200,692       205,243       170,506  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (160,774 )     (185,486 )     (213,947 )
Net cash generated by/used for financing activities
    (71,643 )     (1,630 )     7,845  
Currency translation difference
    (416 )     (221 )     (112 )
Cash and cash equivalents at year end
    50,746       68,652       32,944  
 
Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by 52.0% from RMB68,652 million as of December 31, 2007 to RMB32,944 million as of December 31, 2008.
 
Net Cash Generated by Operating Activities
 
Our net cash generated by operating activities was RMB170,506 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, representing a decrease of 16.9% from RMB205,243 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, mainly as a result of a decrease in our income for the year attributable to our shareholders compared with that of 2007. As of December 31, 2008, our cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB32,944 million, which were mainly denominated in RMB (approximately 67.7% were denominated in RMB, and approximately 32.3% were denominated in US$).
 
Our net cash generated by operating activities was RMB205,243 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, representing an increase of 2.3% from RMB200,692 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2007, our cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB68,652 million, which were mainly denominated in RMB (approximately 88.9% were denominated in RMB, and approximately 11.1% were denominated in US$).
 
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities
 
Our net cash used for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB213,947 million, representing an increase of 15.3% compared with RMB185,486 million used for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007. The net increase in cash used for investing activities was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures paid in cash during the year.
 
Our net cash used for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was RMB185,486 million, representing an increase of 15.4% compared with RMB160,774 million used for investing activities for the year


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ended December 31, 2006. The net increase in cash used for investing activities was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures paid in cash during the year.
 
Net Cash Generated by/Used for Financing Activities
 
Our net cash generated by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB7,845 million, while our net cash used for financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was RMB1,630 million. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the amount of net borrowings and capital contributions by minority shareholders during the year.
 
Our net cash used for financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was RMB1,630 million, representing a decrease of RMB70,013 million from RMB71,643 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was mainly due to a significant increase in our net cash inflow generated by our issuance of A shares in 2007.
 
Our net borrowings as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were as follows:
 
                         
    December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    (RMB in millions)
 
Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)
    35,919       30,934       92,761  
Long-term debt
    35,790       39,688       32,827  
                         
Total debt
    71,709       70,622       125,588  
                         
Less:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
    50,746       68,652       32,944  
                         
Net debt
    20,963       1,970       92,644  
                         
 
Of our total borrowings as at December 31, 2008, approximately 67.1% were fixed-rate loans and approximately 32.9% were floating-rate loans. Of the borrowings as at December 31, 2008, approximately 84.2% were denominated in Renminbi, approximately 15.7% were denominated in United States dollar, and approximately 0.1% were denominated in Euro dollar.
 
Of our total debts outstanding as of December 31, 2007, approximately 17.0% were fixed-rate loans and approximately 83.0% were floating-rate loans. Of our total debts outstanding as of December 31, 2007, approximately 67.4% were denominated in Renminbi, approximately 28.8% were denominated in the U.S. dollar and approximately 3.8% were denominated in other major foreign currencies.
 
Our debt to capital employed ratio (calculated by dividing interest-bearing debts by the aggregate of interest-bearing debts and shareholder’s equity) as of December 31, 2008 was 12.9%, as compared to 8.3% as of December 31, 2007.


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Capital Expenditures and Investments
 
Our net cash used for investing activities includes capital expenditures and investments, offset by proceeds from the sale of assets and dividends received. The table below sets forth our capital expenditures and investments (including non dry hole exploration expenses) by business segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as those anticipated for the year ending December 31, 2009. Actual capital expenditures and investments for periods after January 1, 2009 may differ materially from the amounts indicated below.
 
                                                                 
                2009
    2006   2007   2008   Anticipated
    (RMB in
      (RMB in
      (RMB in
      (RMB in
   
    millions)   %   millions)   %   millions)   %   millions)   %
 
Exploration and production
    115,024       72.53       146,855       75.63       168,569       69.16       142,300       58.90  
Refining and marketing
    19,206       12.11       26,546       13.67       20,274       8.32       27,500       11.38  
Chemicals and marketing
    10,681       6.74       8,165       4.20       15,319       6.28       15,700       6.50  
Natural gas and pipeline
    11,309       7.13       11,003       5.67       36,848       15.12       52,200       21.61  
Corporate and other
    2,358       1.49       1,613       0.83       2,742       1.12       3,900       1.61  
                                                                 
Total
    158,578       100.0       194,182       100.0       243,752       100.00       241,600       100.00  
                                                                 
 
Our capital expenditures and investments increased 25.5% from RMB194,182 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to RMB243,752 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was due primarily to an increase of RMB21,714 million in capital expenditures and investments in the exploration and production segment and an increase of RMB25,845 million in capital expenditures in the natural and pipeline segment. Taking into account the exclusion of the investments relating to the non-dry hole exploration expenses, our capital expenditures for the years ended 2006, 2007 and 2008 would have been RMB149,245 million, RMB182,387 million and RMB232,214 million, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2008, the capital expenditures contracted for at the balance sheet date but not recognized in our consolidated financial statements were approximately RMB22,719 million.
 
Exploration and Production
 
A majority of our capital expenditures and investments relate to our exploration and production segment. Our capital expenditures and investments in this segment for the year ended December 31, 2008 amounted to RMB168,569 million, including RMB37,325 million for oil and gas exploration activities and RMB113,126 million for oil and gas development activities. Our capital expenditures and investments in this segment for the year ended December 31, 2007 totaled RMB146,855 million, including RMB35,709 million for exploration activities and RMB91,463 million for development activities. The increase in our capital expenditures and investments from the year ended December 31, 2007 to the year ended December 31, 2008 was primarily due to the increased capital expenditures for oil and natural gas exploration activities as a part of our efforts to achieve a stable production of crude oil in eastern regions, a rapid development of our operations in western regions and an expedited development of our natural gas business. Taking into account the exclusion of the investments relating to the non-dry hole exploration expenses, the capital expenditures of our exploration and production segment for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 would have been RMB105,691 million, RMB135,060 million and RMB157,031 million, respectively.
 
Our anticipated capital expenditures and investments for our exploration and production segment for the year ending December 31, 2009 amount to RMB142,300 million. Approximately RMB31,500 million is expected to be used for exploration activities and approximately RMB110,800 million for development activities. We plan to focus our exploration and development efforts in Ordos, Junggar, Tarim, Songliao, Sichuan, Bohai Bay and Qaidam basins.


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Refining and Marketing
 
Our capital expenditures for our refining and marketing segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were RMB19,206 million, RMB26,546 million and RMB20,274 million, respectively.
 
Our anticipated capital expenditures for our refining and marketing segment for the year ending December 31, 2009 amount to RMB27,500 million, which include:
 
  •  approximately RMB20,000 million for the construction and expansion of our refining facilities, mainly including the construction of large-sized refining projects in Dalian Petrochemical, Dushanzi Petrochemical, Guangxi Petrochemical and Fushun Petrochemical; and
 
  •  approximately RMB7,500 million for the construction of our distribution networks and storage facilities for oil products.
 
Chemicals and Marketing
 
Our capital expenditures for our chemicals and marketing segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were RMB10,681 million, RMB8,165 million and RMB15,319 million, respectively. Our capital expenditures for the chemical and marketing segment in 2008 were mainly used for the construction of key projects, including the ethylene projects with a capacity of over 1,000,000 tons/year at Dushanzi Petrochemical and Fushun Petrochemical and the upgrading and expansion of the ethylene production facility at Daqing Petrochemical.
 
Our anticipated capital expenditures for our chemicals and marketing segment for the year ending December 31, 2009 amount to RMB15,700 million, which are expected to be mainly used for the construction and expansion of chemical facilities, including the construction of the large-sized ethylene projects at Dushanzi Petrochemical, Daqing Petrochemical, Fushun Petrochemical and Sichuan Petrochemical.
 
Natural Gas and Pipeline
 
Our capital expenditures for the natural gas and pipeline segment for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were RMB11,309 million, RMB11,003 million and RMB36,848 million, respectively. Our capital expenditures for the natural gas and pipeline segment in 2008 were mainly used for the construction of the Second West-to-East Pipeline project and the Lanzhou-Zhengzhou-Changsha refined oil product transmission pipeline project. RMB33,400 million of our capital expenditure for this segment was used for the construction of long-distance pipelines.
 
Our anticipated capital expenditures for our natural gas and pipeline segment for the year ending December 31, 2009 amount to approximately RMB52,200 million, which are expected to be used primarily for the construction of major oil and gas transmission projects such as the Lanzhou-Zhengzhou-Changsha refined oil pipeline project, the second phase of the West-to-East Gas Pipeline project, associated gas storage facilities and liquefied natural gas projects. See “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Natural Gas and Pipelines — Natural Gas Transmission Infrastructure” for a more detailed discussion of the expansion plans of our natural gas and pipeline segments.
 
Others
 
Our non-segment-specific capital expenditures and investments for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were RMB2,358 million, RMB1,613 million and RMB2,742 million, respectively.
 
Our anticipated non-segment-specific capital expenditures and investments for the year ending December 31, 2009 amount to RMB3,900 million. These planned capital expenditures and investments mainly include capital expenditures for scientific research activities and the construction of the information system.


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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
 
Long-Term Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial
Commitments and Payment Obligations
 
All information that is not historical in nature disclosed under “Item 5 — Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Long-Term Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments and Payment Obligations” is deemed to be a forward looking statement. See “Forward — Looking Statements” for additional information.
 
The tables below set forth certain information in connection with our long-term contractual obligations and other commercial commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2008.
 
                                         
    Payment Due by Period
        Less Than
          After
Contractual Obligations
  Total   1 Year   1-3 Years   3-5 Years   5 Years
    (RMB in millions)
 
Long-term debt
    38,371       5,544       20,720       2,129       9,978  
Capital lease obligations
                             
Operating leases
    95,096       3,634       6,766       5,726       78,970  
Capital commitments
    22,719       18,955       3,764              
Unconditional purchase obligations
    1,870       1,180       630       19       41  
Other long-term obligations
                             
Total contractual cash obligations
    158,056       29,313       31,880       7,874       88,989  
 
                                         
    Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
    Total
               
    Amounts
  Less Than
          Over
Other Commercial Commitments
  Committed   1 Year   1-3 Years   3-5 Years   5 Years
    (RMB in millions)
 
Lines of credit
                             
Standby letters of credit
                             
Guarantees
    43             14       29        
Total commercial commitments
    43             14       29        
 
We are obligated to make annual payment with respect to our exploration and production licenses to the Ministry of Land and Resources. The table below sets forth the estimated amount of the annual payments in the next five years:
 
         
Year
  Annual Payment
    (RMB in millions)
 
2009
    1,000  
2010
    1,000  
2011
    1,000  
2012
    1,000  
2013
    1,000  
 
Assets Retirement Obligation
 
Before the issuance of two provincial regulations, The Environmental Protection Regulation for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities in Heilongjiang Province and The Environmental Protection Regulation for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities in Gansu Province, which set forth specific abandonment and disposal processes for oil and gas exploration and production activities in 2005, our company was neither legally


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obligated to, nor was our company under the constructive obligation, to take any abandonment measures for its retired oil and gas properties located in China. In 2005, our company established standard abandonment procedures, including plugging all retired wells, dismantling all retired metering stations and other related facilities and performing site restoration, in response to the issuance of two provincial regulations which set forth specific abandonment and disposal processes for oil and gas exploration and production activities. As a result, our company became legally obligated to undertake abandonment measures for its retired oil and gas properties located in the two provinces where the new regulations were enacted, and is under the constructive obligation to undertake abandonment measures for its retired oil and gas properties located in other provinces where comparable regulations were not enacted. An additional obligation of RMB10,033 million was recorded in 2008.
 
Research and Development
 
We have a research and development management department, directly under which there are three research institutions. Except for our branch companies which are engaged in marketing activities, each of our branch companies has its own research and development management department. Most of our branch companies have their own research institutions. Our research and development management departments are mainly responsible for managing and coordinating the research and development activities conducted by each of the research institutions. As of December 31, 2008, we had 20,340 employees engaged in research and development functions.
 
In 2008, we applied for 444 patents and we were granted patent rights for 254 patents in China in the same year.
 
In each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, our total expenditures for research and development were approximately RMB4,260 million, RMB5,315 million and RMB7,760 million, respectively.
 
Exploration and Production
 
Most of China’s major oil and gas fields are characterized by a broad range of geological conditions, and a majority of China’s oil and gas fields are in continental sedimentary basins with complex structures. Our research and development efforts with respect to our exploration and production business focus on:
 
  •  theories and technologies of crude oil and natural gas exploration;
 
  •  oil and gas development and surface engineering technology;
 
  •  oil and gas production and pipeline transportation; and
 
  •  security, energy conservation and environment protection.
 
Refining and Chemicals
 
Currently, our research and development efforts in the refining and chemicals segment are focusing on the following areas:
 
  •  technology for clean refined oil products;
 
  •  core technology for heavy oil processing;
 
  •  technology for developing high quality and high value synthetic resin products;
 
  •  high performance synthetic rubber products; and
 
  •  production technology for low cost chemical raw materials.
 
Trend Information
 
2009 is expected to be a challenging environment for our company. We expect the outlook for crude oil prices to be impacted by the continuing deterioration of the world economy and the declining oil demand in 2009. Our current expectation is that oil prices will remain low in 2009, which could adversely affect our results of operations.


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In addition, as a result of the declining global economy, the demand for refining and petrochemical products is also expected to decline in 2009, which could lead to lower sales volumes and pressure on our profit margins.
 
We plan to continue to streamline our production facilities within the next several years to further improve our operating efficiency and competitiveness by consolidating or shutting down some of our production facilities. We do not believe that the implementation of such plans will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, although we believe that it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations because we would be required under our accounting policies to recognize in our income statement any impairment loss or impairment provision associated with shutting down our production facilities.
 
Other than as disclosed above and elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the periods from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.
 
Other Information
 
Inflation
 
Inflation or deflation has not had a significant impact on our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Related Party Transactions
 
For a discussion of related party transactions, see “Item 7 — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions” and Note 32 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
 
Recent Developments in IFRS
 
As we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS, any adoption of new standards or amendment or interpretation to existing standards, when effective, may affect our consolidated results of operation, consolidated financial position and consolidated cash flows.
 
The following standard and interpretations to existing standards, which are relevant to our operations, have been published and are mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009. We have not adopted these standards or interpretations as of December 31, 2008.
 
IAS 19 (Amendment), ‘Employee benefits’ clarifies that the distinction between short-term and long-term employee benefits will be based on whether benefits are due to be settled within or after 12 months of employee service being rendered. IAS 19 (Amendment) is effective from January 1, 2009 and the Company will apply IAS 19 (Amendment) from January 1, 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 27 (Revised), ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’ requires the effects of all transactions with non-controlling interests to be recorded in equity if there is no change in control and these transactions will no longer result in goodwill or gains and losses. IAS 27 (Revised) also specifies the accounting when control is lost. Any remaining interest in the entity is re-measured to fair value and a gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. IAS 27 (Revised) is effective for annual periods commencing on or after July 1, 2009 and the Company is currently evaluating the impact of IAS 27 (Revised) on the Company’s financial statements.
 
IAS 27 (Amendment), ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’ removes the definition of the cost method and replaces it with a requirement to present dividends as income in the separate financial statements of the investor. IAS 27 (Amendment) is effective from January 1, 2009 and the Company will apply IAS 27 (Amendment) from January 1, 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.


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IAS 28 (Amendment), ‘Investments in associates’ requires an investment in an associate to be treated as a single asset for the purposes of impairment testing and any impairment loss is not allocated to specific assets included within the investment, for example, goodwill. Reversals of impairment are recorded as an adjustment to the investment balance to the extent that the recoverable amount of the associate increases. IAS 28 (Amendment) is effective from January 1, 2009 and the Company will apply IAS 28 (Amendment) from January 1, 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 36 (Amendment), ‘Impairment of assets’ requires that where fair value less costs to sell is calculated on the basis of discounted cash flows, disclosures equivalent to those for value-in-use calculation should be made. IAS 36 (Amendment) is effective from January 1, 2009 and the Company will apply IAS 36 (Amendment) from January 1, 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 38 (Amendment), ‘Intangible assets’ requires a prepayment only be recognized in the event that payment has been made in advance of obtaining right of access to goods or receipt of services. IAS 38 (Amendment) is effective from January 1, 2009 and the Company will apply IAS 38 (Amendment) from January 1, 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IFRS 3 (Revised), ‘Business combinations’ continues to apply the acquisition method to business combinations, with some significant changes. For example, all payments to purchase a business are to be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date, with contingent payments classified as debt subsequently re-measured through the income statement. There is a choice on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis to measure the non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair vale or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets. All acquisition-related costs should be expensed. IFRS 3 (Revised) is effective for annual periods commencing on or after July 1, 2009 and the Company is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 3 (Revised) on the Company’s financial statements.
 
IFRS 5 (Amendment), ‘Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations’ clarifies that all of a subsidiary’s assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale if a partial disposal plan results in loss of control, and relevant disclosure should be made for this subsidiary if the definition of a discontinued operation is met. IFRS 5 (Amendment) is effective for annual periods commencing on or after July 1, 2009 and the Company is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 5 (Amendment) on the Company’s financial statements.
 
Environmental Expenses and Capital Expenditures
 
We paid pollutant discharge fees of approximately RMB211 million, RMB231 million and RMB200 million, respectively, in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Our capital expenditures on environmental programs in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were approximately RMB4,634 million, 2,299 million and RMB1,366 million, respectively.
 
ITEM 6 — DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
 
Directors, Senior Management and Supervisors
 
Currently, our board of directors consists of fourteen directors, five of whom are independent non-executive directors. The directors are elected at a meeting of our shareholders for a term of three years. The directors may be re-elected and re-appointed upon the expiration of his/her term of office. The functions and duties conferred on the board of directors include:
 
  •  convening shareholders’ meetings and reporting its work to the shareholders’ meetings;
 
  •  implementing the resolutions of the shareholders’ meetings;
 
  •  determining our business plans and investment plans;
 
  •  formulating our annual budget and final accounts;


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  •  formulating our proposals for dividend and bonus distributions and for the increase or reduction of capital; and
 
  •  exercising other powers, functions and duties as conferred by our articles of association.
 
Eight of the directors are currently affiliated with CNPC or an affiliate of CNPC.
 
The PRC Company Law requires a joint stock company with limited liability to establish a supervisory board. This requirement is reflected in our articles of association. The supervisory board is responsible for monitoring our financial matters and overseeing the corporate actions of our board of directors and our management personnel. The supervisory board consists of nine supervisors, six of whom are elected, including four shareholders representatives and two independent supervisors, and may be removed, by the shareholders in a general meeting and three of whom are employees’ representatives who are elected by our staff, and may be removed, by our staff. Four of our supervisors are affiliated with CNPC. The term of office of our supervisors is three years. The supervisors may be re-elected and re-appointed upon the expiration of his/her term of office. An elected supervisor cannot concurrently hold the position of a director, manager or financial controller. The functions and powers conferred on the supervisory board include:
 
  •  attending board meetings;
 
  •  examining our financial affairs;
 
  •  examining balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, business reports, dividend distribution proposals and other financial information proposed at shareholders’ meetings by the directors from time to time; and
 
  •  overseeing the actions of our board of directors and our senior management personnel in carrying out their duties.
 
In the event that any action of our directors adversely affects our interests, supervisors shall confer with or initiate legal proceedings against such directors on our behalf. A resolution proposed at any meeting of the supervisory board shall be adopted only if it is approved by two-thirds or more of our supervisors.
 
Our senior management is appointed by and serves at the discretion of our board of directors. The following table sets forth certain information concerning our current directors, supervisors and executive officers.
 
                     
Name
  Age  
Position
 
Date of Election(1)
 
Jiang Jiemin
    53     Chairman of the board of directors     May 15, 2008  
Zhou Jiping
    56     Vice Chairman of the board of directors and president     May 15, 2008  
Wang Yilin
    52     Director     May 15, 2008  
Zeng Yukang
    58     Director     May 15, 2008  
Wang Fucheng
    58     Director     May 15, 2008  
Li Xinhua
    55     Director     May 15, 2008  
Liao Yongyuan
    46     Director and vice president     May 15, 2008  
Wang Guoliang
    56     Director     May 15, 2008  
Jiang Fan
    45     Director     May 15, 2008  
Chee-Chen Tung
    66     Independent non-executive director     May 15, 2008  
Liu Hongru
    78     Independent non-executive director     May 15, 2008  
Franco Bernabè
    60     Independent non-executive director     May 15, 2008  
Li Yongwu
    64     Independent non-executive director     May 15, 2008  
Cui Junhui
    62     Independent non-executive director     May 15, 2008  
Li Huaiqi
    59     Secretary to the board of directors        
Sun Longde
    46     Vice president        
Shen Diancheng
    49     Vice president        
Liu Hongbin
    45     Vice president        
Zhou Mingchun
    41     Chief financial officer        


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Name
  Age  
Position
 
Date of Election(1)
 
Li Hualin
    46     Vice president        
Zhao Zhengzhang
    52     Vice president        
Lin Aiguo
    50     Chief engineer        
Wang Daofu
    53     Chief geologist        
Huang Weihe
    51     Chief engineer        
Chen Ming
    58     Chairman of the supervisory board        
Wen Qingshan
    50     Supervisor        
Sun Xianfeng
    56     Supervisor        
Yu Yibo
    45     Supervisor        
Wang Yawei
    54     Supervisor        
Qin Gang
    55     Supervisor        
Wang Shali
    54     Supervisor        
Wu Zhipan(2)
    52     Independent supervisor        
Li Yuan
    61     Independent supervisor        
Wang Daocheng(3)
    69     Independent supervisor        
 
 
(1) For directors only.
 
(2) No longer an independent supervisor since May 12, 2009.
 
(3) Mr. Wang Daocheng has been acting as an independent supervisor since May 12, 2009.
 
Directors
 
Jiang Jiemin, aged 53, is the Chairman of our company and the General Manager of CNPC. Mr. Jiang is a senior economist and holds a master’s degree. Mr. Jiang has over 35 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. He was made Deputy Director of the Shengli Petroleum Administration Bureau in March 1993, Senior Executive of the Qinghai Petroleum Administration Bureau in June 1994 and Director of Qinghai Petroleum Administration Bureau in November 1994, and Assistant to the General Manager and Team Leader for the Restructuring and Listing Preparatory Team of CNPC in February 1999, and a Director and Vice President of our company in November 1999. Mr. Jiang was appointed Deputy Provincial Governor of the Qinghai Province in June 2000, was made a member of the provincial party committee of the Qinghai Province and Deputy Provincial Governor of Qinghai in November 2000, and the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee of Qinghai Province and Deputy Provincial Governor of Qinghai in June 2003. Mr. Jiang became the Deputy General Manger of CNPC in April 2004, and Vice Chairman and President of our company in May 2004. Mr. Jiang has been the General Manager of CNPC since November 2006, and the Chairman of our company since May 2007. Mr. Jiang stepped down as the President of our company in May 2008.
 
Zhou Jiping, aged 56, is the Vice Chairman and President of our company and a Deputy General Manager of CNPC. Mr. Zhou is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a master’s degree. He has over 35 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. In November 1996, he was appointed Deputy Director of the International Exploration and Development Cooperation Bureau of China National Petroleum Corporation and Deputy General Manager of China National Oil & Gas Exploration and Development Corporation. In December 1997, he was appointed General Manager of China National Oil & Gas Exploration and Development Corporation and Deputy Director of the International Exploration and Development Cooperation Bureau of China National Petroleum Corporation, and in August 2001, he was appointed Assistant to the General Manager of CNPC and General Manager of China National Oil & Gas Exploration and Development Corporation. Mr. Zhou has been a Deputy General Manager of CNPC since December 2003, and a Director of our company since May 2004. In May 2008, Mr. Zhou was appointed the Vice Chairman and President of our company.
 
Wang Yilin, aged 52, is a Director of our company and a Deputy General Manager of CNPC. Mr. Wang is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a doctoral degree. He has over 25 years of working experience in China’s

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oil and gas industry. Mr. Wang was appointed the Deputy Director and Chief Exploration Geologist of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau in June 1996, and the General Manager of our Xinjiang Oilfield Company in September 1999. He was appointed the Senior Executive of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau and the General Manager of our Xinjiang Oilfield Company in June 2001. In July 2003, he was appointed Assistant to General Manager of CNPC. In December 2003, he was appointed Deputy General Manager of CNPC. From May 2004, he ceased to work as the Senior Executive of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau and the General Manager of our Xinjiang Oilfield Company. From July 2004 to July 2007, he concurrently worked as the Safety Director of CNPC. He has been a Director of our company since November 2005.
 
Zeng Yukang, aged 58, is a Director of our company and a Deputy General Manager of CNPC. Mr. Zeng is a professor-level senior economist and holds a college degree. He has nearly 40 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Zeng had been the Senior Executive of the Exploration and Development Institute of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau since December 1996. From February 2000, he was appointed the Standing Deputy Director of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau. In March 2001, he was appointed the Director of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau, and in November 2002, he was appointed the Assistant to the General Manager of CNPC. He has been a Deputy General Manager of CNPC since September 2005, and a Director of our company since November 2005.
 
Wang Fucheng, aged 58, is a Director of our company and concurrently a Deputy General Manager of CNPC. Mr. Wang is a professor-level senior economist and holds a bachelor’s degree. Mr. Wang has over 40 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. From August 1986, Mr. Wang worked as Senior Executive of the Shengli Petroleum Administration Bureau. Since December 1992, Mr. Wang had worked as Senior Executive of the Liaohe Petroleum Administration Bureau. Since November 1997, Mr. Wang had worked as Director of the Liaohe Petroleum Administration Bureau. Since October 1999, Mr. Wang had been the General Manager of the Liaohe Oilfield Branch of our company. Mr. Wang had been a Director of our company from June 2000. Mr. Wang was appointed a Vice President of our company in July 2000. From November 2005 to May 2008, Mr. Wang had worked as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of our company. Mr. Wang has been a Deputy General Manager of CNPC since September 2007. In May 2008, Mr. was again appointed Director of our company.
 
Li Xinhua, aged 55, is a Director of our company and a Deputy General Manager of CNPC. Mr. Li is a senior engineer and holds a college degree. Mr. Li has nearly 35 years of working experience in China’s petrochemical industry. In June, 1985 Mr. Li was appointed the Vice Director of Yunnan Province Petrochemical Factory, in February 1992 the Director of Yunnan Province Petrochemical Factory, in March 1997 the Chairman and General Manager of Yunnan Province Yuntianhua Group, in March 2002 the Assistant Governor of Yunnan Province, In January 2003 the Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province, and in April 2007a Deputy General Manager of CNPC. Since May 2008, Mr. Li has been acting as a Director of our company.
 
Liao Yongyuan, aged 46, is a Director and Vice President of our company and concurrently serves as the Deputy General Manager and Safety Director of CNPC. Mr. Liao holds a master’s degree and is a professor-level senior engineer. He has over 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. He was Deputy Director of the New Zone Exploration and Development Department of China National Petroleum Corporation from June 1996, the Standing Deputy Commander and then Commander of Tarim Petroleum Exploration and Development Headquarters from November 1996. He was the General Manager of Tarim Oilfield Branch Company from September 1999, and also Deputy Director of Gansu Provincial Economic and Trade Committee from October 2001. He has worked as the Assistant to the General Manager of CNPC since January 2004 and has been concurrently the Head of Coordination Team for Oil Enterprises in Sichuan and Chongqing and Director of Sichuan Petroleum Administration since April 2004. He has been a Vice President of our company since November 2005. He was appointed a Deputy General Manager of CNPC in February 2007, and Safety Director of CNPC in July 2007. He has been a Director of our company since May 2008.
 
Wang Guoliang, aged 56, is a Director of our company and the General Accountant of CNPC. Mr Wang is a professor-level senior accountant and holds a master’s degree. Mr Wang has over 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr Wang had worked as the Vice President of China Petroleum Finance Company Limited from October 1995. In November 1997, he was appointed a Deputy General Manager and the General Accountant of China National Oil & Gas Exploration and Exploitation Corporation. Mr Wang had been the Chief


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Financial Officer of our company from November 1999. He was appointed General Accountant of CNPC in February 2007, and Director of our company in May 2008.
 
Jiang Fan, aged 45, is a Director of our company and the General Manager of Dalian Petrochemical Company. Mr. Jiang is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a master’s degree. He has nearly 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Jiang was appointed the Deputy Manager of Dalian Petrochemical Company in December 1996 and the Deputy General Manager of Dalian Petrochemical Company in September 1999. He has been the General Manager of Petrochina Dalian Petrochemical Company since February 2002, and a Director of our company since November 2005.
 
Independent Non-executive Directors
 
Chee-Chen Tung, aged 66, is an independent non-executive Director of our company. Mr. Tung is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orient Overseas (International) Limited. He was educated at the University of Liverpool, England, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He later acquired a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. He served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association between 1993 and 1995. From 1999 to 2001, he was the Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. He is an independent non-executive director of Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd., BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited, Wing Hang Bank Limited, Sing Tao News Corporation Limited, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation, and a member of the Hong Kong Port Development Board. Mr. Tung is also the Chairman of the Institute for Shipboard Education Foundation, the Chairman of the Advisory Council and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Academic Center of the University of Pittsburgh and the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University. Mr. Tung has been an independent non-executive Director of our company since November 5, 1999.
 
Liu Hongru, aged 78, is an independent non-executive Director of our company. Mr. Liu is a professor and holds a doctoral degree. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Moscow in 1959 with an associate Doctoral degree. Mr. Liu worked as Vice Governor of the Agricultural Bank of China, Vice-Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Deputy Director of the State Economic Restructuring Committee, and the Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Mr. Liu’s current position include the Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee for Economic Affairs of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Vice President of the China Society for Finance and Banking, the Vice President of the National Debt Association of China, the President of the Shanghai Institute of Finance and Law. Mr. Liu is also a professor at the Peking University, the Postgraduate School of the People’s Bank of China and the City University of Hong Kong. Mr. Liu also serves as a non-executive director of OP Financial Investments Limited and as an independent non-executive director of CITIC 21CN Company Limited and Minerals Resources Limited, and possesses the accounting or financial management qualification required under the Listing Rules of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Mr. Liu was appointed an independent Supervisor of our company in December 1999. After his resignation from this position as independent supervisor, Mr. Liu was appointed an independent non-executive Director of our company in November 2002.
 
Franco Bernabè, aged 60, is an independent non-executive Director of our company. He holds a doctoral degree in political economics. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Italia (serving a second time). Prior to that, he held the responsibilities of the chairman and founder of the Franco Bernabè Group, the Vice Chairman of H3G, the Vice Chairman of Rothschild Europe, a non-executive director of Pininfarina SpA and an independent non-executive director of Areoportidi Bologna. Mr. Bernabè joined ENI in 1983 to become an assistant to the chairman; in 1986 he became director for development, planning and control; and between 1992 and 1998 he was the Chief Executive Officer of ENI. Mr. Bernabè led the restructuring program of the ENI Group, making it one of the world’s most profitable oil companies. Between 1998 and 1999, Mr. Bernabè was the Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Italia. Between 1999 and 2000, he has also served as a special representative of the Italian government for the reconstruction of Kosovo. He was the Chairman of La Biennale di Venezia from 2001 to 2003 and has been the Chairman of the Modern Arts Museum of Trento and Rovereto since 2005. Prior to his joining ENI, Mr. Bernabè was the head of economic studies at FIAT. Mr. Bernabè was a senior economist at the OECD Department of Economics and Statistics in Paris. Earlier he was a professor of economic politics at the School of Industrial


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Administration, Turin University. He had also served on the Advisory Board of the Council of Foreign Relations and is currently an International Governor of the Peres Center for Peace. Mr. Bernabè has been an independent non-executive Director of our company since June 2000.
 
Li Yongwu, aged 64, is an independent non-executive Director of our company. Mr. Li is a senior engineer and holds a bachelor’s degree. In June 1991, Mr. Li was appointed as the Director of Tianjin Chemicals Bureau. In July 1993, he was appointed as the Director of Tianjin Economic Committee. He was elected as the Vice Minister of the PRC Ministry of Chemical Industry in April 1995. He became Director of the State’s Petroleum and Chemical Industry Bureau since March 1998. In April 2001, he was appointed a Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government at the Special Administrative Region of Macau. In December 2004, he was appointed the Vice President of China Petroleum and Petrochemical Industry Association. In May 2005, he became the Chairman of China Petroleum and Petrochemical Industry Association and in November 2005, he became an Independent Supervisor of our company. In 2003, he was elected as a standing member of the Tenth Chinese People’s Consultative Conference. In May 2008, Mr. Li was appointed an independent non-executive Director of our company.
 
Cui Junhui, aged 62, is an independent non-executive Director of our company. Mr. Cui is a representative of the 11th National People’s Congress of the PRC and a Committee Member of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC. He is holder of a postgraduate degree (part-time study). The positions he held include Deputy Director of the Tax Bureau of Shandong Province and the Director of State Tax Bureau of Shandong Province. From January 2000 to January 2007, he served as a Deputy Director of the State Administration of Taxation. In December 2006, he was made a Vice President of China Society of Taxation and a Vice President of China Charity Federation. Mr. Cui was elected as a representative of the 11th National People’s Congress and a member of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress in March 2008. In April 2008, Mr Cui was elected as the President of the sixth term of the Chinese Taxation Institute. Mr. Cui has become a non-executive Director of our company since May 2008.
 
Secretary to the Board of Directors
 
Li Huaiqi, aged 59, is the Secretary to the Board of Directors of our company. Mr. Li is a senior economist. He has nearly 40 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Li once worked in the Daqing Oilfield, the Liaohe Oilfield and the Huabei Oilfield and in the Nanhai Petroleum Company. From June 1992, Mr. Li worked as Deputy Director and Director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of China National Petroleum Corporation successively. From October 1998, Mr. Li was appointed as Director of the International Co-operation Department (Foreign Affairs Bureau) of CNPC. Mr. Li has been the Secretary to the Board of Directors of our company since August 2001.
 
Other Senior Management Personnel
 
Sun Longde, aged 46, is a Vice President of our company. Mr. Sun is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a doctoral degree. He has 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and geological industry. Mr. Sun was appointed the Deputy Chief Geologist of Xianhe Oil Extraction Plant and Deputy Manager of Dongxin Oil Extraction Plant of Shengli Petroleum Administration Bureau in January 1994, Chief Deputy Director-General of Exploration Business Department of Shengli Petroleum Administration Bureau in April 1997, the Manager of Exploration & Development Company of Shengli Petroleum Administration Bureau in September 1997, Chief Geologist of Tarim Petroleum Exploration & Development Headquarters in November 1997, Deputy General Manager of PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company in September 1999 and the General Manager of PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company in July 2002. Mr. Sun has been a Vice President of our company since June 2007.
 
Shen Diancheng, aged 49, is the Vice President of our company and concurrently the General Manager of Chemical & Marketing Company of our company. Mr. Shen is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a college degree. He has 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Shen was appointed the Deputy Manager of the Chemical Agent Plant of Daqing Oilfield in June 1994, the Deputy Manager, Standing Deputy Director and acting Manager of the Chemical Headquarters Plant of Daqing Oilfield in January 1997, the Standing Deputy General Manager of PetroChina Daqing Refining & Chemical Company in October 2000, the General


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Manager of PetroChina Liaoyang Petrochemical Company in April 2002, and the General Manager of PetroChina Jilin Petrochemical Company in November 2005. Mr. Shen has been the Vice President of our company and General Manager of Chemical & Marketing Company since June 2007.
 
Liu Hongbin, aged 45, is the Vice President of our company. Mr. Liu is a senior engineer and holds a college degree. He has 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Liu was appointed the Vice President of Exploration & Development Research Institute of Yumen Petroleum Administration Bureau in May 1991, the Director of the Development Division of Tuha Petroleum Exploration & Development Headquarters in October 1994, the Chief Engineer of Tuha Petroleum Exploration & Development Headquarters in June 1995, the Deputy General Manager of PetroChina Tuha Oilfield Company in July 1999, the Commander of Tuha Petroleum Exploration & Development Headquarters in July 2000, the General Manager of the Planning Department of our company in March 2002 and the Director of the Planning Department of CNPC in September 2005. Mr. Liu has become a Vice President of our company since June 2007.
 
Zhou Mingchun, aged 41, is the Chief Financial Officer of our company. Mr. Zhou is a professor-level senior accountant and holds a master’s degree. He has nearly 20 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Zhou was appointed the Director of the Finance Division and the Director-General of Financial Settlement Centre of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau in October 1998, the Executive of the Finance & Assets Division of Daqing Oilfield Company from in 1999, the director and Deputy Chief Accountant of Daqing Oilfield Company Limited in January 2000, the director and Chief Accountant of Daqing Oilfield Company Limited in October 2000, and the General Manager of the Finance Department of our company in March 2002. Mr. Zhou serves as the Chief Financial Officer of our company from June 2007.
 
Li Hualin, aged 46, is the Vice President of our company and Vice Chairman and General Manager of China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited. Mr. Li holds a master’s degree and is a senior engineer. Mr. Li has 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in China. Mr. Li became the Deputy Director-General of the Houston Office of China National Petroleum Company in March 1993, the director and General Manager of China National Oil and Gas Corporation (Canada) in May 1995, the Deputy General Manager of the China National Oil and Gas Exploration Development Corporation and the Chairman and General Manager of CNPC International (Canada) Ltd in December 1997, the General Manager of CNPC International (Kazakhstan) Ltd. and the Deputy General Manager of the China National Oil and Gas Exploration Development Corporation in September 1999, the Deputy General Manager of China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited in January 2001, the Chairman of Shenzhen Petroleum Industrial Co., Ltd in December 2001, and the Vice-Chairman and General Manager of China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited in July 2006. Mr. Li was appointed as the Vice President of our company and the Vice Chairman and General Manager of China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited in November 2007.
 
Zhao Zhengzhang, aged 52, is a Vice President of our company and concurrently the General Manager of Exploration and Production Company of our Company. Mr Zhao holds a master’s degree. He is a professor-level senior engineer and has nearly 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and industry. In June 1996, Mr Zhao was appointed as the Deputy Director of the New District Exploration Department of China National Petroleum Company. In November 1996, he was appointed as Deputy Director of the Exploration Bureau of China National Petroleum Company and Director of the New District Exploration Department. In October 1998, Mr Zhao was appointed as Deputy Director of the Exploration Department of China National Petroleum Company. In September 1999, he was appointed as a member of the Preparatory Group of CNPC Exploration and Production Company. In December 1999, Mr Zhao was appointed as Deputy General Manager of CNPC Exploration and Production Company. In January 2005, he was appointed as Senior Executive and Deputy General Manager of CNPC Exploration and Production Company. In January 2006, he was appointed as the General Manager of CNPC Exploration and Production Company. In May 2008, Mr Zhao was appointed as a Vice President of the Company and the General Manager of the Exploration and Production Company.
 
Lin Aiguo, aged 50, is the Chief Engineer of our company. Mr. Lin is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a college degree. He has over 30 years of working experience in China’s oil and petrochemical industry. Mr. Lin was appointed the Deputy Manager and the Standing Deputy Manager of Shengli Refinery of Qilu Petrochemical Company in July 1993, the Deputy General Manager of Dalian West Pacific Petrochemical Co. Ltd.


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in May 1996, and the General Manager of Dalian West Pacific Petrochemical Co. Ltd. in August 1998, and the General Manager of Refining & Marketing Company of our company in December 2002. Mr. Lin serves as the Chief Engineer of our company from June 2007.
 
Wang Daofu, aged 53, is the General Geologist of our company and Director of the Exploration and Development Institute. Mr. Wang holds a doctoral degree. He is a professor-level senior engineer and has over 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. He was appointed Deputy General Manager of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company in September 1999 and General Manager of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company in January 2003. He was elected as a representative of the 11th National People’s Congress of the PRC in 2008. Mr. Wang has become the General Geologist of our company since May 2008.
 
Huang Weihe, aged 51, is the Chief Engineer of our company and the General Manager of PetroChina Natural Gas and Pipelines Company. Mr Huang is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a doctorate degree. He has over 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. In December 1998, he was appointed as Deputy Director of the Petroleum and Pipelines Bureau. In November 1999, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Petroleum and Pipelines Bureau and concurrently Chief Engineer. In October 2000, Mr Huang was appointed as the General Manager of PetroChina Pipelines Company and in May 2002, concurrently as the General Manger of PetroChina West-to-East Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines Company. In November 2002, Mr Huang was appointed as the General Manager of PetroChina West-to-East Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines Company. In December 2002, he was appointed as the General Manager of PetroChina Natural Gas and Pipelines Company under the Company and the General Manager of PetroChina West-to-East Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines Company. In February 2006, Mr Huang ceased to be the General Manager of PetroChina Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines Company. In May 2008, Mr Huang was appointed as the Chief Engineer of the Company and the General Manager of PetroChina Natural Gas and Pipelines Company.
 
Supervisors
 
Chen Ming, aged 58, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of our company. Mr. Chen is a professor-level economist and holds a bachelor’s degree. He has nearly 35 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Chen was appointed Deputy Commissioner of CNPC in November 1996, Deputy Director of the Supervisory Department of CNPC in October 1998, Deputy General Manager of Human Resource Department of our Company and concurrently Director of the Supervisory Department of our company in September 1999, General Manager of the Supervisory Department of our company in September 2001, Assistant to the General Manager of CNPC in January 2007, and Team Leader of the Discipline Team of CNPC in September 2007. He has become the Chairman of our Supervisory Board since May 2008.
 
Wen Qingshan, aged 50, is a Supervisor of our company and the Deputy Chief Accountant and the Director of the Finance and Assets Department of CNPC. Mr. Wen is a professor-level senior accountant and holds a master’s degree in economics. Mr. Wen has over 25 years of working experience in China’s petrochemical industry. He had acted as the Deputy Director of the Finance and Assets Department of CNPC from May 1999 and Director of the Finance and Assets Department of CNPC from May 2002. He has been a Supervisor of our company since November 2002. He has been acting as the Deputy Chief Accountant and the Director of the Finance and Assets Department of CNPC since November 2007.
 
Sun Xianfeng, aged 56, is a Supervisor and the General Manager of the Audit Department of our company. Mr. Sun is a senior economist and holds a bachelor’s degree. Mr. Sun has over 35 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Sun worked as Deputy Director of the Supervisory Bureau of China National Petroleum Corporation from November 1996, and was transferred to the Eighth Office of the State Council Compliance Inspectors’ General Office (Supervisory Committee of Central Enterprises Working Commission) as its temporary head in June 1998. He was appointed the Deputy Director of the Audit Department of CNPC in October 2000. He was appointed as the Vice Director of the Audit Department and the concurrently the Director of the Audit Institute in December 2000. Mr. Sun has been the Director of the Audit Department of CNPC and the Director of the Audit Service Centre since April 2004. Mr. Sun has been a Supervisor of our company since May 2004. In October 2005, Mr Sun was appointed as a concurrent State-owned Company Supervisor from State-owned


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Assets Supervision and Administration Commission to CNPC. Mr. Sun has been acting as the General Manager of the Audit Department of our company since July 2007.
 
Yu Yibo, aged 45, is a Supervisor and the General Manager of the Capital Operation Department of our company. Mr. Yu is a professor-level senior accountant and holds a doctoral degree. Mr. Yu has 10 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. In February 1999, Mr. Yu was appointed as a member of the Restructuring and Listing Preparatory Team of CNPC . In September 1999, Mr. Yu was appointed as the Deputy General Manager of the Finance Department of our company. Mr. Yu had been acting as the Deputy General Manager of PetroChina Dagang Oilfield Branch Company from March 2002 to October 2002. In April 2003, Mr. Yu was appointed as the General Manager of the Capital Operation Department of our company. Mr. Yu has been acting as a Supervisor of our company since May 2008.
 
Wang Yawei, aged 54, is an employee representative of the Supervisory Committee of our company and Chairman of the Labor Union of Daqing Oilfield Company Limited. Mr. Wang is a professor-level senior engineer and holds a master’s degree. He has nearly 25 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Wang was acting as the Deputy Director of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau since November 1997 and as the Chairman of the Labour Union of Daqing Petroleum Administration Bureau since March 2001. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Labour Union of Daqing Oilfield Company Limited since February 2008. Since May 2008, Mr. Wang has been acting as a Supervisor of our company.
 
Qin Gang, aged 55, is an employee representative of the Supervisory Board of our company and a Senior Executive and Chairman of the Labor Union of PetroChina Gas Pipeline Company. Mr. Qin is a senior engineer and has over 35 years of experience in China’s oil and gas industry. Mr. Qin had acted as a Deputy Commander of Tarim Petroleum Exploration and Development Headquarters since November 1997 and a Deputy General Manager of Tarim Oilfield Company since September 1999. In July 2002, Mr. Qin was appointed as the Chairman of Labour Union of PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company. Mr. Qin has been the Senior Executive and the Chairman of the Labor Union of Petrochina Gas Pipeline Company since June 2007. Since November 2005, Mr. Qin has become a member of our Supervisory Board.
 
Wang Shali, female, aged 54, is an employee representative of Supervisory Board of our company and a Senior Executive, Senior Deputy General Manager and the General Legal Counsel of CNPC Exploration and Development Company Limited. Ms. Wang is a professor-level senior economist and holder of a master’s degree. She has over 35 years of working experience in China’s oil and gas industry. She was appointed as the General Economist of China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation in November 1996 and Deputy General Manger and General Economist of China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation in December 1997. Ms Wang began to act concurrently as the Executive Deputy General Manager of the CNPC International (Nile) Company in April 1998. She was appointed as the Deputy General Manger of China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation and the leader of the Project Coordination Group in August 2004, and the Senior Deputy General Manager of the CNPC Exploration and Development Company in June 2006. She has been acting as a Supervisor of our company since May 2008. In September 2008, Ms Wang was appointed as Senior Executive, Senior Deputy General Manager and General Legal Counsel of CNPC Exploration and Development Company Limited.
 
Wu Zhipan, aged 52. Mr. Wu is a holder of doctoral degree. He is a professor, a LL.D. Supervisor, Standing Vice Chairman of Peking University Council and Chief Legal Advisor of Peking University, Dean of the Asia-Pacific Research Institute of Peking University and Director of Financial Law Institute of Peking University. He is also an expert consultant of the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC, an arbitrator of the Arbitration Panel of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and President of the China Economic Law Research Societies. Mr. Wu also serves as an independent non-executive director of Air China Limited, Fortune SGAM Fund Management Co., Ltd. and China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. Mr. Wu has been an independent Supervisor of our company since December 1999. Mr. Wu resigned from his position as independent supervisor of our company on May 12, 2009.
 
Li Yuan, aged 61, is an independent Supervisor of our company. Mr. Li was graduated from Renmin University of China with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Mr. Li’s past positions include Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Department of Ministry of Petroleum Industry, Team Leader of the Business Team of the CPC


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Central Committee’s General Office, Director of the Administrative Reform Bureau of the Political System Reform Studies Office of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Distribution Department of the National Economic System Reform Committee, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Land, and Deputy Minister and concurrently the Deputy Chief Land Inspector of the Ministry of Land and Resources. Mr. Li is now a Deputy Director of the Committee of Population, Resources and Environment of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and has become an independent Supervisor of our company since May 2008.
 
Wang Daocheng, aged 69, is an independent supervisor of our company. Mr. Wang is currently the President of the China Institute of Internal Audit. He is a senior auditor with university education and has over 40 years of experience in finance and auditing. From 1981 to 1984, he led the preparatory committee within the audit department of the Ministry of Finance and headed the science and technology training centre of the National Audit Office as well as the financial and monetary authority. From August 1984, Mr Wang held a number of positions, including Deputy Director of Xicheng District Audit Bureau of Beijing, Deputy Director of the Research Department of the National Audit Office, and successively, the Deputy Director of the General Affairs Bureau, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Bureau, Director of the Foreign Investment Department, Director of the Financial Audit Department and Director of the General Office of the National Audit Office. From March 1999 to March 2005, Mr Wang headed the discipline inspection panel of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in the National Audit Office. From June 2005, he became the President of the China Institute of Internal Audit. Mr. Wang has been an independent supervisor of our company since May 2009.
 
Compensation
 
Senior Management Compensation System
 
The senior management members’ compensation has two components, namely, fixed salaries and variable compensation. The variable component, which accounts for approximately 75% of the total compensation package, is linked to the attainment of specific performance targets, such as our income for the year, return on capital and the individual performance evaluation results.
 
Directors’ and Supervisors’ Compensation
 
Our directors and supervisors, who hold senior management positions or are otherwise employed by us, receive compensation in the form of salaries, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind, including our contribution to the pension plans for these directors and supervisors.
 
The aggregate amount of salaries, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind paid by us to the five highest paid individuals of PetroChina during the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB3,443,895. We paid RMB163,472 as our contribution to the pension plans in respect of those individuals in the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
The aggregate amount of salaries or other compensation, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind paid by us to our directors, who hold senior management positions or are otherwise employed by us, during the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB2,231,209.
 
Save as disclosed, no other payments have been paid or are payable, in respect of the year ended December 31, 2008, by us or any of our subsidiaries to our directors. In addition, we have no service contracts with our directors that provide for benefits to our directors upon the termination of their employment with us.
 
In 2008, we paid RMB130,875 as our contribution to the pension plans in respect of our directors and supervisors, who hold senior management positions or are otherwise employed by us. The aggregate amount of salaries or other compensation, housing allowances, other allowances and benefits in kind paid by us to our supervisors, who hold senior management positions or are otherwise employed by us, during the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB682,939.


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For discussions about the compensations of our individual directors and supervisors, please see Note 33 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. For discussion about the share-based compensation, please see “Item 6 — Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Share Ownership”.
 
Board Practices
 
Our board of directors has four principal committees: an audit committee, an investment and development committee, an evaluation and remuneration committee and a health, safety and environment committee.
 
Audit Committee
 
Our audit committee is currently composed of three non-executive independent directors, Mr. Franco Bernabè, Mr. Chee-Chen Tung and Mr. Cui Junhui, and one non-executive director, Mr. Wang Guoliang. Mr. Franco Bernabè serves as the chairman of the committee. Under our audit committee charter, the chairman of the committee must be an independent director and all resolutions of the committee must be approved by independent directors. The audit committee’s major responsibilities include:
 
  •  supervising the integrity of financial reporting process to ensure fair, transparent and true financial disclosure;
 
  •  reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of the internal control and risk management framework;
 
  •  inspecting and supervising the effectiveness of the internal audit functions;
 
  •  reviewing and supervising the engagement and work of external auditors, including evaluating the performance of external auditors annually and raising proposals together with the supervisory board to the shareholders’ meetings with respect to the engagement, re-engagement and dismissal of external auditors and the compensation of such external auditors;
 
  •  receiving, keeping and dealing with complaints regarding accounting, internal control or auditing matters; and
 
  •  receiving and dealing with anonymous submissions and complaints by employees regarding accounting or auditing matters, and keeping such submission and complaints confidential, and other duties from time to time provided by applicable laws and regulations and Listing Rules of the market where the securities of our company listed.
 
Investment and Development Committee
 
The current members of our investment and development committee are Mr. Li Yongwu, as chairman of the committee and Mr. Wang Yilin and Mr. Li Xinhua, as members of the committee. The investment and development committee’s major responsibilities include:
 
  •  studying the long-term development strategies of the Company as proposed by our president and making recommendations to the board of directors;
 
  •  studying the annual investment budget and the adjustment proposal regarding the investment plan as proposed by our president and making recommendations to the board of directors;
 
  •  reviewing preliminary feasibility studies and feasibility studies for material investment and financing proposals, material capital operation projects and material asset operation projects subject to the approval of the board of directors and making recommendations to the board of directors.
 
  •  studying any other significant matters that may affect the development of the Company and making recommendations to the board of directors.


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Evaluation and Remuneration Committee
 
The current members of our evaluation and remuneration committee are Mr. Liu Hongru, as chairman of the committee, Mr. Chee-Chen Tung and Mr. Wang Fucheng, as members of the committee. The evaluation and remuneration committee’s major responsibilities include:
 
  •  studying the criteria for and conducting the evaluation of the performance of the directors and the management members and making recommendations to the board of directors;
 
  •  studying and reviewing the director and management compensation policies and proposals, including the policies and proposals regarding the compensation payable to directors and senior management for their loss of positions or retirement;
 
  •  organizing the evaluation of the performance of our president and reporting the evaluation result to the board of directors, supervising the evaluation of the performance of our senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officer and other senior management members conducted under the leadership of the president; and
 
  •  studying our incentive plan, compensation plan and stock appreciation rights plan, supervising and evaluating the implementation of these plans and making recommendations for improvements to and perfection of such plans.
 
Health, Safety and Environment Committee
 
The current members of our health, safety and environment committee are Mr. Liao Yongyuan, as chairman of the committee, Mr. Zeng Yukang and Mr. Jiang Fan, as member of the committee. The health, safety and environment committee’s major responsibilities include:
 
  •  supervising the effective implementation of our Health, Safety and Environmental Protection Plan (HSE Plan);
 
  •  making recommendations to the board of directors and our president for major decisions or major issues with respect of health, safety and environmental protection that may affect the Company; and
 
  •  inquiring the occurrence of and responsibilities for material accidents with respect to the operation, property and assets, employees and other facilities of the Company, and supervising the treatment of such accidents.
 
Employees
 
As of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, we had 446,290, 466,502 and 477,780 employees, respectively (excluding temporary staff). The table below sets forth the number of our employees by business segment as of December 31, 2008.
 
                 
    Employees   % of Total
 
Exploration and production
    258,821       54.17  
Refining and marketing
    127,493       26.68  
Chemicals and marketing
    66,557       13.93  
Natural gas and pipeline
    20,053       4.20  
Other(1)
    4,856       1.02  
                 
Total
    477,780       100.0  
                 
 
 
(1) Including the numbers of employees of the management of our headquarters, specialized companies, PetroChina Exploration & Development Research Institute, PetroChina Planning & Engineering Institute, Petrochemical Research Institute and other units.
 
Our employees participate in various basic social insurance plans organized by municipal and provincial governments whereby we are required to make monthly contributions to these plans at certain rates of the


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employees’ salary as stipulated by relevant local regulations. Expenses incurred by us in connection with the retirement benefit plans were approximately RMB4,652 million, RMB5,754 million and RMB6,997 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
In 2008, we have not experienced any strikes, work stoppages, labor disputes or actions which affected the operation of any of our businesses. Our company maintains good relationship with our employees.
 
Share Ownership
 
Other than two supervisors, our directors, senior officers and supervisors do not have share ownership in PetroChina or any of PetroChina’s affiliates. As at April 30, 2009, Mr. Yu Yibo, one of our supervisors, held 66,500 A shares of our company, including shares acquired on the secondary market and Ms. Wang Shali, one of our supervisors, held 7,000 A shares and 18,000 H shares of our company.
 
We have granted stock appreciation rights relating to our H Shares to our directors, senior officers and supervisors. Upon exercise of these stock appreciation rights, members of the senior management would not receive any of our shares, but would, by way of stock appreciation rights, receive a monetary sum on the basis of the price of our H Shares. Because the relevant PRC laws limit the ownership of the H Shares of a company incorporated under the PRC laws to only non-PRC nationals, and companies are not permitted to repurchase and hold their own shares for offering stock appreciation rights under current PRC law, our directors, senior officers and supervisors do not hold our H Shares under the stock options granted to them. Instead, the book gains and losses would be calculated on the basis of share prices and in accordance with our stock appreciation rights granting criteria, and cash payments of such compensation to our directors, senior officers and supervisors would be made. As at April 7, 2008 (the expiry date of the exercise of the share appreciation rights), none of the holders of the share appreciation rights had exercised their rights. We therefore derecognised the liability of RMB1,400 million previously accrued in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
ITEM 7 — MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Major Shareholders
 
Prior to the restructuring of the CNPC group in November 1999, CNPC was one of the largest companies in the PRC in terms of sales. As part of the restructuring of the CNPC group, CNPC transferred to PetroChina substantially all its businesses and assets in China relating to the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, refining and marketing, chemicals and natural gas sales and transmission. Since the restructuring of the CNPC group, CNPC has engaged in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production business activities outside the PRC and limited chemicals production and retail of refined products. CNPC’s primary business activities relate to the provision of various services and products to PetroChina.
 
PetroChina was established on November 5, 1999 with CNPC as its sole promoter. As of May 12, 2009, CNPC beneficially owned 158,691,001,259 shares, which include 526,404,000 H shares indirectly held by CNPC through Fairy King Investments Limited, an overseas wholly-owned subsidiary of CNPC, representing approximately 86.71% of the share capital of PetroChina, and, accordingly, CNPC is our controlling shareholder.
 
The following table sets forth the major shareholders of our A shares as of May 12, 2009:
 
                                 
            Percentage
   
            of the
   
            Issued Share
  Percentage
            Capital of the
  of
            Same
  the Total
        Number of Shares
  Class of
  Share
Name of Shareholders
  Class of Shares   Held   Shares (%)   Capital (%)
 
CNPC
    A shares       158,164,597,259       97.68       86.42  


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The following table sets forth the major shareholders of our H shares as of May 12, 2009:
 
                                 
            Percentage of
   
            Such Shares
   
            in That Class
  Percentage of
    Class of
      of the Issued
  Total Share
Name of Shareholder
  Shares   Number of Shares   Share Capital (%)   Capital (%)
 
CNPC
    H shares       526,404,000 (1)     2.49       0.29  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    H shares       1,352,047,500 (2)     6.41       0.74  
 
 
(1) Held by Fairy King Investments Limited, an overseas wholly-owned subsidiary of CNPC.
 
(2) Includes (i) 170,829,871 shares held by JPMorgan Chase & Co. through various subsidiaries in short position in its capacity as beneficial owner and (ii) 1,181,217,629 shares held by JPMorgan Chase & Co. through various subsidiaries in long position in its capacity as beneficial owner, investment manager and custodian/approved lending agent under Hong Kong laws.
 
Related Party Transactions
 
CNPC is a controlling shareholder of our company. We enter into extensive transactions with CNPC and other members of the CNPC group, all of which constitute related party transactions for us. We also continue to carry out existing continuing transactions with other related parties in the reporting period.
 
One-off Related Party Transactions
 
Acquisition of Northeastern Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Business Division of CNPC
 
On April 28, 2008, we entered into an acquisition agreement with CNPC, pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the Northeastern Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Business Division of CNPC. Upon completion of the acquisition, we paid consideration of approximately RMB43.8 million to CNPC, representing the value of the net assets of the Northeastern Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Business Division as at September 30, 2007. The parties also adjusted the consideration by reference to the net assets generated by the acquired operations for the period from October 1, 2007 to the completion date as shown in the management accounts. As of the end of the reporting period, the transaction has been completed.
 
Acquisition of Refined Products Assets and Business of CNPC
 
On June 10, 2008, we entered into an acquisition agreement with CNPC, pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the refined products sales assets and business from CNPC. Upon completion of the acquisition, we will pay consideration of approximately RMB1.0 billion to CNPC, representing the value of the net assets of the Refined Products Sales Assets and Business as at the valuation date. The parties will also adjust the consideration by reference to the net assets generated by the refined products sales assets and business for the period from the valuation date to the completion date as shown in the management accounts. As of the end of the reporting period, the transaction has not yet been completed.
 
Indirect Acquisition of Equity Interest in CNPC (HK)
 
On August 27, 2008, the Company, CNPC and China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited, or HK Subsidiary, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNPC, entered into a sale and purchase agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to purchase or procure the purchase of, and CNPC has agreed to sell (through HK Subsidiary) or procure the sale of, a 100% interest in Sun World Limited indirectly held by CNPC through HK Subsidiary. Sun World Limited directly holds 2,513,917,342 shares in CNPC (Hong Kong) Limited, or CNPC (HK), representing approximately 51.89% of the issued share capital of CNPC (HK) (calculated on the basis of the total number of shares of CNPC (HK) as at the same date). We agreed to pay consideration of approximately HK$7.6 billion. The above transaction was completed on December 18, 2008, when CNPC transferred to us its equity interest in CNPC (HK) of a total of approximately 56.66% (calculated on the basis of the total number of shares of CNPC (HK) as at the same date).


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Acquisition of Assets of the Risk Operation Service Business of CNPC
 
On November 19, 2008, six branch companies of our company and six subordinate enterprises of CNPC entered into acquisition agreements, pursuant to which we acquired the assets under the risk operation service business from these six enterprises. Upon completion of the acquisition, we paid consideration of approximately RMB 5.3 billion to the six enterprises. The parties also adjusted the consideration by reference to the change in assets of the risk operation service business for the period from the date of valuation to the completion date on a dollar-for-dollar basis. As of the end of the reporting period, the transaction has been completed.
 
Acquisition of City Gas Business of CNPC
 
On May 15, 2009, PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of our company, and China Huayou Group Corporation and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau, each a wholly owned entity of CNPC, entered into acquisition agreements pursuant to which PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited agreed to acquire certain city gas business owned by the sellers in more than 10 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the PRC. The targets of the acquisitions include the equity interests in eight companies held by China Huayou Group Corporation and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau and relevant assets owned by China Huayou Group Corporation. Upon the completion of the acquisitions, Petrochina Kunlun Gas Limited will pay consideration of approximately RMB 1.1 billion to China Huayou Group Corporation and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau. The transaction is to be completed on or before December 31, 2009.
 
Continuing Related Party Transactions
 
During the reporting period, our company continued to engage in a variety of continuing related party transactions with CNPC, which provide a number of services to us. These transactions are governed by several agreements between CNPC and us, including the comprehensive products and services agreement and its supplemental agreements, product and service implementation agreements, land use rights leasing contract, buildings leasing contract and buildings supplementary leasing agreement, intellectual property licensing contracts, contract for the transfer of rights under production sharing contracts and guarantee of debts contract. A detailed discussion of these agreements is set forth in Note 32 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report and under the heading “Item 7 — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions” in our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 2008.
 
Our comprehensive products and services agreement and its supplemental agreements expired on December 31, 2008. On August 27, 2008, we and CNPC entered into a new comprehensive products and services agreement that incorporates the provisions from the previous agreements and became effective on January 1, 2009 for a period of three years. As of December 31, 2008, the balance of the amount of our debts guaranteed by CNPC was RMB 408.0 million under the guarantee of debts contract.
 
During the reporting period, we continue to carry out a number of continuing related party transactions with CNPC Exploration and Development Company Limited, CNPC (HK), Beijing Gas Group Co., Ltd. and China Railway Materials and Suppliers Corporation. A detailed discussion of our relationships and transactions with these parties is set forth under the heading “Item 7 — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions” in our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 27, 2008. For a summary of significant related party transactions entered into in the ordinary course of our business during the reporting period, please see Note 32 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
 
Loans from Related Parties
 
As of December 31, 2008, we had unsecured short-term and long-term loans from CNPC and its affiliates in an aggregate amount of RMB80,925 million. The average annual interest rate on these loans is 4.32%.


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Interests of Experts and Counsel
 
Not applicable.


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ITEM 8 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Financial Statements
 
See pages  F-1 to F-62 following Item 19.
 
Dividend Policy
 
Our board of directors will declare dividends, if any, in Renminbi on a per share basis and will pay such dividends in Renminbi with respect to A Shares and HK dollars with respect to H Shares. Any final dividend for a financial year shall be subject to shareholders’ approval. The Bank of New York will convert the HK dollar dividend payments and distribute them to holders of ADSs in U.S. dollars, less expenses of conversion. The holders of the A Shares and H Shares will share proportionately on a per share basis in all dividends and other distributions declared by our board of directors.
 
The declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors will take into account factors including the following:
 
  •  general business conditions;
 
  •  our financial results;
 
  •  capital requirements;
 
  •  contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends by us to our shareholders or by our subsidiaries to us;
 
  •  our shareholders’ interests;
 
  •  the effect on our debt ratings; and
 
  •  other factors our board of directors may deem relevant.
 
We may only distribute dividends after we have made allowance for:
 
  •  recovery of losses, if any;
 
  •  allocations to the statutory common reserve fund; and
 
  •  allocations to a discretionary common reserve fund if approved by our shareholders.
 
The allocation to the statutory funds is 10% of our income for the year attributable to our shareholders determined in accordance with PRC accounting rules. Under PRC law, our distributable earnings will be equal to our income for the year attributable to our shareholders determined in accordance with PRC accounting rules or IFRS, whichever is lower, less allocations to the statutory and discretionary funds.
 
Subject to the above and to ensure that our dividend policy is consistent with that of major international oil and gas companies, we currently expect that we will distribute as dividends approximately 40% to 50% of our reported income for the year attributable to our shareholders for all years commencing on or after January 1, 2000. We believe that our dividend policy strikes a balance between two important goals:
 
  •  providing our shareholders with a competitive return on investment; and
 
  •  assuring sufficient reinvestment of profits to enable us to achieve our strategic objectives.


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A dividend of RMB0.13183 per share (inclusive of applicable tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was paid to our shareholders on October 16, 2008. The board of directors proposed to distribute the final dividend of RMB0.14953 per share (inclusive of applicable tax) which was calculated on the basis of the balance between 45% of our income for the year attributable to our shareholders under IFRS for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the interim dividend for 2008 which was paid on October 16, 2008. The final dividend to be paid has been approved by the annual shareholders’ meeting held on May 12, 2009. The payment will be made to shareholders whose names appear on the register of the company at close of business on May 27, 2009.
 
Significant Changes
 
None.


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ITEM 9 — THE OFFER AND LISTING
 
Nature of the Trading Market and Market Price Information
 
Our ADSs, each representing 100 H shares, par value RMB1.00 per H share, have been listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange since April 6, 2000 under the symbol “PTR”. Our H shares have been listed and traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since April 7, 2000. In September 2005, our company issued an additional 3,196,801,818 H shares. CNPC also sold 319,680,182 state-owned shares it held concurrently with our company’s issuance of new H Shares in September 2005. In October 2007, PetroChina issued 4 billion A shares and these shares were listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on November 5, 2007. Following the issuance of A shares, all the domestic shares of our company existing prior to the issuance of A shares, i.e. the shares held by CNPC (our controlling shareholder) in our company, have been registered with China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited as tradable A shares. The New York Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange are the principal trading markets for our ADSs, H shares and A shares, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2008, there were 21,098,900,000 H shares and 161,922,077,818 A shares issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2008, there were 303 registered holders of American depositary receipts evidencing 18,506,281 ADSs. The depositary of the ADSs is the Bank of New York.
 
The high and low closing sale prices of our A shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, of H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange for each year from 2004 through 2009, for each quarter from 2007 to 2009 (up to the end of the first quarter of 2009), and for each month from November 2008 to May 2009 (through May 15, 2009) are set forth below.
 
                                                 
    Price Per H Share   Price Per ADS   Price Per A Share
    HK$   US$   RMB
    High   Low   High   Low   High   Low
 
Annual Data
                                               
2004
    4.85       3.20       63.70       41.63              
2005
    7.35       4.025       94.50       51.65              
2006
    11.12       6.35       142.12       83.50              
2007
    19.90       8.57       263.70       109.55       43.96       29.24  
2008
    14.24       4.25       182.12       57.25       31.31       9.95  
Quarterly Data
                                               
2007
                                               
First quarter
    11.08       8.57       137.90       109.55              
Second quarter
    11.90       8.89       152.05       112.14              
Third quarter
    14.74       9.83       185.58       125.92              
Fourth quarter
    19.90       13.46       263.70       172.43       43.96       29.24  
2008
                                               
First quarter
    14.24       9.17       182.12       120.63       31.31       16.99  
Second quarter
    12.12       9.77       156.97       125.92       18.35       14.94  
Third quarter
    10.66       7.45       136.92       92.79       15.63       10.17  
Fourth quarter
    8.14       4.25       104.30       57.25       12.19       9.95  
2009
                                               
First quarter
    7.82       5.10       101.25       64.09       12.16       10.02  
Monthly Data
                                               
2008
                                               
November
    6.39       5.41       83.55       64.30       11.91       10.29  
December
    7.26       6.13       93.45       77.42       11.85       10.14  


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    Price Per H Share   Price Per ADS   Price Per A Share
    HK$   US$   RMB
    High   Low   High   Low   High   Low
 
2009
                                               
January
    7.82       5.58       101.25       72.70       10.59       10.02  
February
    6.60       5.53       84.65       70.87       12.16       10.35  
March
    6.71       5.10       85.81       64.09       11.77       10.56  
April
    6.99       6.11       89.81       80.98       11.94       11.22  
May (through May 15, 2009)
    8.40       7.41       108.40       88.95       13.29       11.94  
 
The closing prices per A share, per H share and per ADS on May 15, 2009 were RMB13.17, HK$8.09 and US$101.41, respectively.
 
ITEM 10 — ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
Our Articles of Association Currently in Effect
 
The following is a summary based on the significant provisions of our articles of association currently in effect, which is filed with the Commission as an exhibit to this annual report on Form 20-F. We hereby incorporate by reference the relevant exhibit to this annual report.
 
Objectives and Purposes
 
We are a joint stock limited company established in accordance with the Company Law and certain other laws and regulations of the PRC. We are registered with the PRC State Administration for Industry and Commerce with a business license number being 100000000032522. Article 10 of our articles of association provides that our scope of businesses includes, among other things, exploration and production of oil and natural gas; production and sale of crude oil, refined oil, petrochemical and chemical products; import and export; construction and operation of oil and natural gas pipelines; technical development, consultation and service for oil exploration and petrochemistry and related engineering; sale of materials, equipment and machines necessary for production and construction of oil and gas, petrochemicals and pipelines.
 
Enforceability of Shareholders’ Rights
 
Our articles of association provide that all differences or claims
 
  •  between a holder of H Shares and us;
 
  •  between a holder of H Shares and any of our directors, supervisors, president, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officer or other senior officers; or
 
  •  between a holder of H Shares and a holder of domestic shares, arising from any provision of the articles of association, any right or obligation conferred or imposed by the PRC Company Law or any other relevant law or administrative regulation which concerns our affairs must, with certain exceptions, be referred to arbitration at either the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in the PRC or the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center. Our articles of association provide that such arbitration will be final and conclusive.
 
If the directors, president, senior vice presidents, chief financial officer or any other executive officers violate any laws, administrative regulations or the articles of association of our company during the performance of their corporate duties, which results in any damage to our company, shareholders individually or in the aggregate hold more than 1% of the shares in our company for a consecutive 180 days shall have the right to request our supervisory board in writing to bring a lawsuit to the competent courts. If our supervisory board violates any laws,

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administrative regulations or the articles of association of our company during the performance of its corporate duties, which results in any damage to our company, the shareholders may request our board of directors in writing to bring a lawsuit to the competent courts.
 
If the supervisory board or the board of directors refuses to bring such lawsuits upon receiving the written request of the shareholders, or fails to file such lawsuit within 30 day following their receipt of such written request, or in case of emergency under which our company would sustain losses hard to be recovered if such lawsuit fails to be filed immediately, such shareholders as described in the above paragraph shall have the right, in the interests of our company, to bring a lawsuit directly in their own name.
 
If any third parties infringe our legal interests and make our company sustain any losses, the shareholders described in the above paragraphs may file a lawsuit to the competent court in accordance with the provisions in the above two paragraphs.
 
Restrictions on Transferability and the Share Register
 
The articles of association provide that PRC investors are not entitled to be registered as holders of H Shares.
 
As provided in the articles of association, we may refuse to register a transfer of H Shares unless:
 
  •  any relevant transfer fee is paid;
 
  •  the instrument of transfer is accompanied by the share certificates to which it relates, or such other evidence is given as may be reasonably necessary to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
 
  •  the instrument of transfer is in respect of one class of shares only; and
 
  •  the transfer is conducted in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations of or required by the securities exchanges on which the shares are listed.
 
Our articles of association provide that the shares held by our promoter in our company may not be transferred within one year from the establishment date of our company. The shares issued prior to the public offering of our company may not be transferred within one year from the date the stocks issued in such public offering commencing to be listed on the relevant stock exchange.
 
The directors, supervisors, president, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officer and other executive officers shall report the number and change of the number of shares they hold in our company, and may not transfer more than 25% of the total number of shares he/she holds in our company in each year during his/her term of office. No shares held by such persons in our company may be transferred (i) within one year from the date the stocks of our company commencing to be listed on the relevant stock exchange, or (ii) within half a year from the date of their resignation or removal, other than any transfer of such shares due to judicial enforcement, inheritance, legacy, or partition of property by operation of law.
 
If any director, supervisor, president, senior vice president, vice president, chief financial officer and any other executive officer holds less than 1,000 shares in our company, the transfer of such shares is not subject to the above restriction on the percentage of share transfer, all of which may be transferred in one time.
 
If the directors, supervisors, president, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officer and other executive officers or the shareholders holding at least 5% of the domestic shares of our company sell the shares they hold in our company within six months of acquiring the same, or buy such shares back within six months of selling the same, the gains obtained therefrom shall belong to our company and the board of directors of the company shall recover such gains from them and disclose the relevant situation timely. However, a securities company that underwrote shares on a firm commitment basis and which, after purchasing the shares remaining after the sale, holds at least 5% of the shares shall not be subject to the six month time limit when selling such shares.
 
If the board of directors of our company fails to act in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the shareholders shall have the right to demand that the board of directors act within 30 days. If the board of directors of our company fails to act within such 30-day time period, the shareholders shall have the right, in the interests of our company, to directly institute legal proceedings in a competent court in their own name. If the board of directors of


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our company fails to act in accordance with the above provisions, the responsible directors shall be jointly and severally liable in accordance with the law.
 
We are required to keep a register of our shareholders which shall be comprised of various parts, including one part which is to be maintained in Hong Kong in relation to H Shares to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
 
Dividends
 
We may distribute dividends twice a year, with the final dividend for any financial year being subject to the approval of the shareholders by way of an ordinary resolution. The articles of association allow for distribution of dividends in the form of cash or shares or any other form permitted under applicable laws and regulations. If a proposal concerning distribution of dividends in the form of cash or shares or conversion of the common reserve fund into share capital is approved in a shareholders’ meeting, we shall implement a specific plan in connection with such proposal within two months following the shareholders’ meeting.
 
Dividends may only be distributed, however, after allowance has been made for:
 
  •  recovery of losses, if any and the statutory common reserve fund is not enough to recover such losses;
 
  •  allocations to the statutory common reserve fund; and
 
  •  allocations to a discretionary common reserve fund if approved by the shareholders.
 
We shall allocate ten percent of income for the year attributable to the equity holders of our company to the statutory common reserve fund. If the statutory common reserve fund of our company amounts to more than 50% of our registered capital, we may cease any further allocation.
 
If the shareholders’ meeting of our company distributes profits to our shareholders before recovering the losses and making allocations to the statutory common reserve fund, the shareholders must return such profits they have received to our company. The shares held by our company in itself do not participate any dividends distribution.
 
The articles of association require us to appoint on behalf of the holders of H Shares a receiving agent which is registered as a trust corporation under the Trustee Ordinance of Hong Kong to receive dividends declared by us in respect of the H Shares on behalf of such shareholders. The articles of association require that cash dividends in respect of H Shares be declared in Renminbi and paid by us in HK dollars.
 
Voting Rights and Shareholders’ Meetings
 
Our board of directors will convene a shareholders’ annual general meeting once every year and within six months’ from the end of the preceding financial year. Our board will convene an extraordinary general meeting within two months of the occurrence of any one of the following events:
 
  •  where the number of directors is less than the number stipulated in the PRC Company law or two-thirds of the number specified in our articles of association;
 
  •  where our unrecovered losses reach one-third of the total amount of our share capital;
 
  •  where shareholders individually or in the aggregate holding 10% or more of our issued and outstanding voting shares request in writing the convening of an extraordinary general meeting;
 
  •  where our board deems necessary or our supervisory board so request; or
 
  •  any other events provided by applicable laws, administrative regulations, rules or the articles of association of our company.
 
Meetings of a special class of shareholders must be called in certain enumerated situations when the rights of the holders of such class of shares may be modified or adversely affected, as discussed below. Shareholders holding 3% or more of the total number of voting shares may present special proposals ten days prior to the annual shareholders meetings and shall deliver such proposal in writing to the persons convening such shareholders’ meetings. The matters proposed in the special proposals shall fall within the scope of the functions and powers of shareholders meetings, and such proposals shall have specific subjects as well as specific matters to be resolved,


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and shall be in compliance with the requirements of applicable laws, administrative regulations and the articles of association of our company. The persons convening the shareholders’ meetings shall send additional notices of shareholders’ meetings within two days after receiving such proposals and announce the matters proposed therein.
 
All shareholders’ meetings must be convened by our board by written notice given to shareholders not less than 45 days before the meeting. Based on the written replies received by us 20 days before a shareholders’ meeting, we will calculate the number of voting shares represented by shareholders who have indicated that they intend to attend the meeting. Otherwise, we will, within five days, inform the shareholders again of the motions to be considered and the date and venue of the meeting by way of public announcement. After the announcement is made, the shareholders’ meeting may be convened. The accidental omission by us to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, a shareholder will not invalidate the proceedings at that shareholders’ meeting.
 
Shareholders at meetings have the rights, among other things, to approve or reject the annual profit distribution plans, the annual budget, the financial statements, an increase or decrease in share capital, the issuance of debentures, the merger or liquidation of PetroChina, any amendment to our articles of association, external guarantees, purchase or sale of significant assets of PetroChina, change of the purposes of the funds raised and our stock incentive plans. In addition, the rights of a class of shareholders may not be modified or abrogated, unless approved by a special resolution of all shareholders at a general shareholders’ meeting and by a special resolution of shareholders of that class of shares at a separate meeting. Our articles of association enumerate, without limitation, certain amendments which would be deemed to be a modification or abrogation of the rights of a class of shareholders, including increasing or decreasing the number of shares of a class disproportionate to increases or decreases of other classes of shares, removing or reducing rights to receive dividends in a particular currency or creating shares with voting or equity rights superior to shares of such class.
 
Each H share is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders at all shareholders’ meetings, except for meetings of a special class of shareholders where only holders of shares of the affected class are entitled to vote on the basis of one vote per share of the affected class. The shares held by our company in itself are not entitled to any vote, and such shares will not be included in the total number of voting shares in any shareholders’ meeting. When any shareholder is required to abstain from voting on any particular resolution or restricted to voting only for or against any particular resolution under the Listing Rules, any votes cast by or on behalf of such shareholder in contravention of such requirement or restriction shall not be counted.
 
Shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at meetings either in person or by proxy. Proxies must be in writing and deposited at our legal address, or such other place as is specified in the meeting notice, not less than 24 hours before the time for holding the meeting at which the proxy proposes to vote or the time appointed for the passing of the relevant resolutions. When the instrument appointing a proxy is executed by the shareholder’s attorney-in -fact, such proxy when deposited must be accompanied by a notarially certified copy of the relevant power of attorney or other authority under which the proxy was executed.
 
Except for those actions discussed below which require supermajority votes, resolutions of the shareholders are passed by a simple majority of the voting shares held by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy. Special resolutions must be passed by more than two-thirds of the voting rights represented held by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy.
 
The following decisions must be adopted by special resolution:
 
  •  an increase or reduction of our share capital or the issue of shares of any class, warrants and other similar securities;
 
  •  the issue of our debentures;
 
  •  our division, merger, dissolution and liquidation;
 
  •  amendments to our articles of association;
 
  •  any purchase or sale of significant assets or any guarantee provided by our company within one year exceeding 30% of our most recent audited aggregate assets;


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  •  stock incentive plans; and
 
  •  any other matters required by applicable laws, administrative regulations or our articles of association, or considered by the shareholders in a general meeting and which they have resolved by way of an ordinary resolution to be of a nature which may have a material impact on us and should be adopted by special resolution.
 
All other actions taken by the shareholders, including the appointment and removal of our directors and independent auditors and the declaration of normal dividend payments or stock distributions, will be decided by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders.
 
In addition, certain amendments to the articles of association require the approval and consent of the relevant PRC authorities.
 
If any resolutions of our shareholders’ meetings or our board meetings violate any applicable laws or administrative regulations, the shareholders shall have the right to request competent courts to decide that such resolutions are invalid. If the procedures to convene any shareholders’ meetings or any board meetings or any voting methods violate any applicable laws, administrative regulations or our articles of association, or any resolutions violate our articles of association, the shareholders shall, within 60 days from the adoption of such resolutions, have the right to request competent courts to cancel such resolutions.
 
There are no limitations imposed by PRC law or our articles of association on the right of non-residents or foreign shareholders to hold or vote our company’s shares, other than limitations that would generally apply to all of the shareholders.
 
Board of Directors
 
Directors will be elected by shareholders at a general meeting. Because the shares do not have cumulative voting rights, a holder of a majority of our shares is able to elect all of the directors. Directors are elected for a term of not more than three years.
 
Meetings of the board of directors shall be held at least four times every year and shall be convened by the Chairman of the board of directors, who shall notify all directors 14 days before each meeting.
 
Our board of directors is accountable to the shareholders in general meetings and exercises the following functions and powers to:
 
(a) be responsible for the convening of shareholders’ meetings and reporting on its work to the shareholders at such meetings;
 
(b) implement the resolutions passed by the shareholders in general meetings;
 
(c) determine our business plans and investment proposals;
 
(d) formulate our annual preliminary and final budgets;
 
(e) formulate our profit distribution proposal and loss recovery proposals;
 
(f) formulate proposals for the increase or reduction of our registered capital and the issuance of our debentures or other securities and listings;
 
(g) draw up plans for our acquisition of our shares or our merger, division or dissolution, or change of our corporation form;
 
(h) decide on our internal management structure;
 
(i) appoint or remove our president and to appoint or remove the vice presidents and other senior officers, including the financial controller, based on the recommendation of the general manager, and to decide on their remuneration;
 
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(k) formulate proposals for any amendment of our articles of association;
 
(l) manage the information disclosures of our company; and
 
(m) exercise any other powers conferred by the shareholders in general meetings.
 
Except for items (f), (g) and (k), which require the affirmative vote of more than two-thirds of all of our directors, resolutions on any other items may be approved by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of our directors.
 
A director shall abstain from voting on any resolutions of the board of directors if he/she or any of his/her associates or the relevant significant shareholder is interested therein, and he/she shall not be counted in the quorum of the directors for such meetings. The board of directors shall transact its businesses by convening a board meeting instead of by circulation of papers. If an independent non-executive director or any of its associates does not have any significant interest in the matters to be resolved in a board meeting, he/she shall attend the board meeting. For purpose of this paragraph, the relevant significant shareholder and the associate herein have the same meaning ascribed to it in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Rules. If any listing rules of other stock exchanges on which our stocks listed have stricter stipulations on the abstention of voting by directors, then such stipulations shall be followed.
 
In addition to obligations imposed by laws, administrative regulations or the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our H Shares are listed, the articles of association place on each of our directors, supervisors, president, senior vice presidents, vice presidents and any other senior officers a duty to each shareholder, in the exercise of our functions and powers entrusted to such person:
 
  •  not to cause us to exceed the scope of business stipulated in our business license;
 
  •  to act honestly in our best interests;
 
  •  not to expropriate our property in any way, including, without limitation, usurpation of opportunities which benefit us; and
 
  •  not to expropriate the individual rights of shareholders, including, without limitation, rights to distributions and voting rights, save and except according to a restructuring which has been submitted to the shareholders for their approval in accordance with the articles of association.
 
Our articles of association further place on each of our directors, supervisors, president, vice presidents and senior officers:
 
  •  a duty, in the exercise of such person’s powers and discharge of such person’s duties, to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances;
 
  •  a fiduciary obligation, in the exercise of our powers entrusted to him or her, not to place himself or herself in a position where his or her duty to us and his or her interests may conflict; and
 
  •  a duty not to direct a person or entity related or connected to a director, supervisor, president, vice president or senior officer in certain relationships enumerated in the articles of association to act in a manner which such director, supervisor, president, vice president or senior officer is prohibited from doing.
 
Subject to compliance with all relevant laws and administrative regulations, the shareholders in a general meeting may by ordinary resolution remove any director before the expiration of his term of office. Subject to certain qualifications, a director, supervisor, president, vice president or other senior officer may be relieved of liability for a specific breach of his or her duties by the informed consent of shareholders in a general meeting.
 
Supervisory Board
 
The Supervisory board is composed of nine members appointed to monitor our financial matters:
 
  •  to review the periodic reports prepared by the board of directors and issue written opinions in connection with such review;


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  •  to verify financial reports and other financial information which have been prepared by the board and which are proposed to be presented at shareholders’ meetings;
 
  •  to oversee our directors, president, vice presidents and other senior officers in order to prevent such persons from abusing their authority or infringing upon our interest; and
 
  •  to contact with the directors on behalf of our company, or bring lawsuits against the directors, president, senior vice president, vice president, chief financial officer or any other executive officers pursuant to Article 152 of the PRC Company Law.
 
The rights of the supervisory board are generally limited to investigating and reporting to shareholders and management on our affairs and to calling shareholders’ extraordinary general meetings.
 
At least one third of the members of the supervisory board will be employee representatives elected by our employees. The remaining members will be appointed by the shareholders in a general meeting. One member of the supervisory board shall be the chairman. A member of the supervisory board may not be a director, the president, a vice president or the chief financial officer. The term of office of each member of the supervisory board is three years, including the term of office of the chairman of the supervisory board, both of which terms are renewable upon re-election and re-appointment. Reasonable expenses incurred by the supervisory board in carrying out its duties will be paid by us.
 
The supervisory board is accountable, and will report, to the shareholders in the shareholders’ meetings.
 
Restrictions on Large or Controlling Shareholders
 
Our articles of association provide that, in addition to any obligation imposed by laws and administrative regulations or required by the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our H Shares are listed, a controlling shareholder shall not exercise his voting rights in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the shareholders generally or of some part of the shareholders:
 
  •  to relieve a director or supervisor from his or her duty to act honestly in our best interests;
 
  •  to approve the expropriation by a director or supervisor of our assets in any way, including, without limitation, opportunities which may benefit us; or
 
  •  to approve the expropriation by a director or supervisor of the individual rights of other shareholders, including, without limitation, rights to distributions and voting rights, except according to a restructuring of our company which has been submitted for approval by the shareholders in a general meeting in accordance with our articles of association.
 
A controlling shareholder, however, will not be precluded by our articles of association or any laws and administrative regulations or the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our H Shares are listed from voting on these matters.
 
A controlling shareholder is defined by our articles of association as any person who acting alone or in concert with others:
 
  •  is in a position to elect more than one-half of the board of directors;
 
  •  has the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, 30% or more of our voting rights;
 
  •  holds 30% or more of our issued and outstanding shares; or
 
  •  has de facto control of us in any other way.
 
On May 15, 2008, our annual shareholders’ meeting for 2007 approved certain amendments to our articles of association. Those amendments were approved by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission on October 24, 2008.


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Material Contracts
 
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described under Item 4 — Information on the Company, Item 7 — Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions or elsewhere in this Form 20-F.
 
Foreign Exchange Controls
 
The Renminbi currently is not a freely convertible currency. We receive most of our revenues in Renminbi. A portion of our Renminbi revenues must be converted into other currencies to meet our foreign currency obligations, including:
 
  •  debt service on foreign currency-denominated debt;
 
  •  purchases of imported equipment and materials; and
 
  •  payment of any dividends declared in respect of the H Shares.
 
Under the existing foreign exchange regulations in China, we may undertake current account foreign exchange transactions, including the payment of dividends, without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange by producing commercial documents evidencing such transactions, provided that they are processed through Chinese banks licensed to engage in foreign exchange transactions.
 
Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account, including principal payments with respect to foreign currency-denominated obligations, continue to be subject to limitations and require the prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt financing, or to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures.
 
We have been, and will continue to be, affected by changes in exchange rates in connection with our ability to meet our foreign currency obligations and will be affected by such changes in connection with our ability to pay dividends on the H Shares in Hong Kong dollars and on ADSs in US dollars. We believe that we have or will be able to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to continue to satisfy these obligations. We do not engage in any financial contract or other arrangement to hedge our currency exposure.
 
We are not aware of any other PRC laws, decrees or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders.
 
Taxation
 
The following discussion addresses the main PRC and United States tax consequences of the ownership of H Shares or ADSs purchased held by the investor as capital assets.
 
PRC Taxation
 
Dividends and Individual Investors
 
On July 21, 1993, the PRC State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning the Taxation of Gains on Transfer and Dividends from Shares (Equities) Received by Foreign Investment Enterprises, Foreign Enterprises and Foreign Individuals (the “Tax Notice”). According to the Tax Notice, dividends paid by a PRC company to foreign individuals with respect to shares listed on an overseas stock exchange (“Overseas Shares”), including the H Shares and ADSs, were provisionally exempted from PRC withholding tax for the time being.
 
The Individual Income Tax Law of the PRC was amended effective January 1, 1994 and states that it supersedes any contradictory prior administrative regulation concerning individual income tax. The amended Individual Income Tax Law can be interpreted as providing that all foreign individuals are subject to the 20% withholding tax on dividends paid by a PRC company on its Overseas Shares unless specifically exempted by the financial authority of the State Council of the PRC. However, in a letter dated July 26, 1994 to the former State Commission for Restructuring the Economic System, the former State Council Securities Committee and the China


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Securities Regulatory Commission, the PRC State Administration of Taxation restated the exemption. In the event that the letter is withdrawn, a 20% tax may be withheld on dividends paid to you, subject to reduction by an applicable tax treaty between China and the country where you reside. To date, the relevant tax authorities have not collected withholding tax from dividend payments on such Shares exempted under the Tax Notice.
 
Dividends and Foreign Enterprises
 
Under the previous tax regime, dividends paid by a PRC company to foreign enterprises with respect to Overseas Shares were provisionally exempted from PRC FEIT according to the Tax Notice. Pursuant to the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC which was effective from January 1, 2008 and the implementing rules thereunder, and the Circular on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Corporate Income Tax by PRC Resident Enterprises from Dividends Payable to H Share Non-resident Corporate Shareholders, or the Circular, each PRC resident enterprise, when paying any of its H share non-resident corporate shareholders any dividends for 2008 and the years thereafter, is required to withhold the corporate income tax from such dividends at a uniform rate of 10%. After its receipt of any dividends on its H shares, an H share non-resident corporate shareholder may by itself or through an agent or the withholding agent, apply to the competent taxation authority for the treatment under the applicable tax treaty (arrangement) against the documents evidencing that such shareholder is qualified to be a beneficial owner as defined under the applicable tax treaty (arrangement). The competent tax authority after having verified the correctness of such documents, shall refund the difference between the amount of the tax actually paid by such shareholder and the amount of the tax payable by such shareholder as calculated on the basis of the rate stipulated in the applicable tax treaty (arrangement).
 
Dividends paid by PRC companies to resident enterprises, including enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC, are not subject to any PRC withholding tax, unless the dividends are derived from publicly traded shares which have been held continuously by the resident enterprises for less than twelve months.
 
Tax Treaties
 
If you are a tax resident or citizen of a country that has entered into a double-taxation treaty with the PRC, you may be entitled to a reduction in the amount of tax withheld, if any, imposed on the payment of dividends. The PRC currently has such treaties with a number of countries, including but not limited to:
 
  •  the United States;
 
  •  Australia;
 
  •  Canada;
 
  •  France;
 
  •  Germany;
 
  •  Japan;
 
  •  Malaysia;
 
  •  Singapore;
 
  •  the United Kingdom; and
 
  •  the Netherlands.
 
Under each one of such treaties, the rate of withholding tax imposed by China’s taxation authorities may be reduced.
 
Capital Gains
 
The Tax Notice provides that gains realized by foreign individuals upon the sale of Overseas Shares are not subject to withholding tax for the time being. However, the Individual Income Tax Law of the PRC, as amended on


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October 31, 1993 and effective on January 1, 1994, provides for a capital gains tax of 20% on individuals. On January 28, 1994, the Provisions for Implementing the Individual Income Tax Law of the PRC was promulgated which provides that the measures to levy individual income tax on the gains realized on the sale of shares will be made in the future by the Ministry of Finance and subject to the approval of the State Council. On June 20, 1994, February 9, 1996 and March 30, 1998, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued notices providing that temporarily no capital gains tax will be imposed on gains from the sale of shares by individuals. However, it is uncertain whether the above exemption for foreign individuals will continue to apply or be renewed in the future. If such exemption does not apply or is not renewed, and the Tax Notice is found not to apply, an individual holder of H Shares or ADSs may be subject to a 20% tax on capital gains, unless reduced by an applicable double taxation treaty.
 
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law that became effective on January 1, 2008, capital gains realized by foreign enterprises which are non-resident enterprises in the PRC upon the sale of Overseas Shares are generally subject to a PRC withholding tax levied at a rate of 10%, unless exempted or reduced pursuant to an applicable double-taxation treaty or other exemptions. The capital gains realized by resident enterprises, including enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC, upon the sales of Overseas Shares are subject to the PRC enterprise income tax. Before the effectiveness of the new Enterprise Income Tax Law, gains realized by foreign enterprises that are holders of Overseas Shares excluding the shares held through their PRC domestic establishments were exempted from the withholding tax according to the Tax Notice. However, the effectiveness of such exemptions granted by the Tax Notice becomes uncertain in light of the provisions under the new Enterprise Income Tax Law.
 
Additional PRC Tax Considerations
 
Under the Provisional Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning the Stamp Duty, a stamp duty is not imposed by the PRC on the transfer of shares, such as the H Shares or ADSs, of PRC publicly traded companies that take place outside of China.
 
United States Federal Income Taxation
 
The following is a general discussion of the material United States federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the H Shares or ADSs if you are a U.S. holder, as defined below, and hold the H Shares or ADSs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. This discussion does not address all of the tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the H Shares or ADSs, and does not take into account U.S. holders who may be subject to special rules including:
 
  •  tax-exempt entities;
 
  •  certain insurance companies;
 
  •  broker-dealers;
 
  •  traders in securities that elect to mark to market;
 
  •  U.S. holders liable for alternative minimum tax;
 
  •  U.S. holders that own 10% or more of our voting stock;
 
  •  U.S. holders that hold the H Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction; or
 
  •  U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
 
This discussion is based on the Code, its legislative history, final, temporary and proposed United States Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, or changes in interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this discussion is based in part upon representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreements will be performed according to its terms.


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You are a “U.S. holder” if you are:
 
  •  a citizen or resident of the United States for United States federal income tax purposes;
 
  •  a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;
 
  •  an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax without regard to its source; or
 
  •  a trust:
 
  •  subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and the control of one or more United States persons; or
 
  •  that has elected to be treated as a United States person under applicable United States Treasury regulations.
 
If a partnership holds the H Shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership that holds the H Shares or ADSs, we urge you to consult your tax advisors regarding the consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the H Shares or ADSs.
 
This discussion does not address any aspects of United States taxation other than federal income taxation.
 
We urge you to consult your tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state, local and non-United States tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the H Shares or ADSs.
 
In general, if you hold ADRs evidencing ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the H Shares represented by the ADSs. The following discussion assumes that we are not a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, as discussed under “PFIC Rules” below.
 
Distributions on the H Shares or ADSs
 
The gross amount of any distribution (without reduction for any PRC tax withheld) we make on the H Shares or ADSs out of our current or accumulated earnings and income (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) will be includible in your gross income as dividend income when the distribution is actually or constructively received by you, in the case of the H Shares, or by the depositary in the case of ADSs. Subject to certain limitations, dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, may be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation if we are deemed to be a “qualified foreign corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes. A qualified foreign corporation includes:
 
  •  a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that includes an exchange of information program; or
 
  •  a foreign corporation if its stock with respect to which a dividend is paid (or ADSs backed by such stock) is readily tradable on an established securities market within the United States,
 
but does not include an otherwise qualified foreign corporation that is a PFIC in the taxable year that the dividend is paid or in the prior taxable year. We believe that we will be a qualified foreign corporation so long as we are not a PFIC and we are considered eligible for the benefits of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, or the Treaty. Our status as a qualified foreign corporation, however, may change.
 
Distributions that exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to you to the extent of your basis in the H Shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. Any dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from United States corporations. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of such distribution.


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If we make a distribution paid in HK dollars, you will be considered to receive the U.S. dollar value of the distribution determined at the spot HK dollar/ U.S. dollar rate on the date such distribution is received by you or by the depositary, regardless of whether you or the depositary convert the distribution into U.S. dollars. Any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is includible in your income to the date you or the depositary convert the distribution into U.S. dollars will be treated as United States source ordinary income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
 
Subject to various limitations, any PRC tax withheld from distributions in accordance with PRC law, as limited by the Treaty, will be deductible or creditable against your United States federal income tax liability. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, dividends paid on the H Shares or ADSs will be foreign source income, and will be treated as “passive category income” or, in the case of some U.S. holders, “general category income.” You may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit (and instead may claim a deduction) for non-United States taxes imposed on dividends paid on the H Shares or ADSs if you (i) have held the H Shares or ADSs for less than a specified minimum period during which you are not protected from risk of loss with respect to such Shares, or (ii) are obligated to make payments related to the dividends (for example, pursuant to a short sale).
 
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition
 
Upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the H Shares or ADSs, you will recognize a capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and your tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in such H Shares or ADSs. Any gain or loss will generally be United States source gain or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Capital gain of certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the property has been held more than one year. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations. Under the Treaty, if any PRC tax is withheld from your gain on a disposition of H Shares or ADSs, such tax may be deductible or creditable against your United States federal income tax liability. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences if PRC tax is withheld from your gain on the sale or other disposition of H Shares or ADSs, including the availability of a foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
 
If you are paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date of the payment resulting from sale, exchange or other disposition to the date you convert the payment into U.S. dollars will be treated as United States source ordinary income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
 
PFIC Rules
 
In general, a foreign corporation is a PFIC for any taxable year in which, after applying relevant look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of subsidiaries:
 
  •  75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income, such as dividends, interest, rents and royalties; or
 
  •  50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.
 
We believe that we did not meet either of the PFIC tests in the taxable year that ended December 31, 2008 and believe that we will not meet either of the PFIC tests in current or subsequent taxable years and therefore will not be treated as a PFIC for such periods. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC in the current or subsequent taxable years.
 
If we were a PFIC in any taxable year that you held the H Shares or ADSs, you generally would be subject to special rules with respect to “excess distributions” made by us on the H Shares or ADSs and with respect to gain from your disposition of the H Shares or ADSs. An “excess distribution” generally is defined as the excess of the distributions you receive with respect to the H Shares or ADSs in any taxable year over 125% of the average annual distributions you have received from us during the shorter of the three preceding years or your holding period for the H Shares or ADSs. Generally, you would be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition


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of the H Shares or ADSs ratably over your holding period for the H Shares or ADSs. The portion of the excess distribution or gain allocated to a prior taxable year, other than a year prior to the first year in which we became a PFIC, would be taxed at the highest United States federal income tax rate on ordinary income in effect for such taxable year, and you would be subject to an interest charge on the resulting tax liability, determined as if the tax liability had been due with respect to such particular taxable years. The portion of the excess distribution or gain that is not allocated to prior taxable years, together with the portion allocated to the years prior to the first year in which we became a PFIC, would be included in your gross income for the taxable year of the excess distribution or disposition and taxed as ordinary income.
 
The foregoing rules with respect to excess distributions and dispositions may be avoided or reduced if you are eligible for and timely make a valid “mark-to -market” election. If your H Shares or ADSs were treated as shares regularly traded on a “qualified exchange” for United States federal income tax purposes and a valid mark-to -market election was made, in calculating your taxable income for each taxable year you generally would be required to take into account as ordinary income or loss the difference, if any, between the fair market value and the adjusted tax basis of your H Shares or ADSs at the end of your taxable year. However, the amount of loss you would be allowed is limited to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to -market election. The New York Stock Exchange on which the ADSs are traded is a qualified exchange for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
Alternatively, a timely election to treat us as a qualified electing fund under Section 1295 of the Code could be made to avoid the foregoing rules with respect to excess distributions and dispositions. You should be aware, however, that if we become a PFIC, we do not intend to satisfy record keeping requirements that would permit you to make a qualified electing fund election.
 
If you own the H Shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC, you must file Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, Form 8621 for each taxable year in which you recognize gain, receive distributions, or make a qualified electing fund election (as permitted) with respect to such H Shares or ADSs. We encourage you to consult your own tax advisor concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding the H Shares or ADSs that would arise if we were considered a PFIC.
 
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
 
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to dividends in respect of the H Shares or ADSs or the proceeds of the sale, exchange, or redemption of the H Shares or ADSs paid within the United States, and in some cases, outside of the United States, other than to various exempt recipients, including corporations. In addition, you may, under some circumstances, be subject to “backup withholding” with respect to dividends paid on the H Shares or ADSs or the proceeds of any sale, exchange or transfer of the H Shares or ADSs, unless you
 
  •  are a corporation or fall within various other exempt categories, and, when required, demonstrate this fact; or
 
  •  provide a correct taxpayer identification number on a properly completed IRS Form W-9 or a substitute form, certify that you are exempt from backup withholding and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.
 
Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be creditable against your United States federal income tax liability provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS in a timely manner. If you do not provide a correct taxpayer identification number you may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
 
Documents on Display
 
You may read and copy documents referred to in this annual report on Form 20-F that have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at the Commission’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges.
 
The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the Commission. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with


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the Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this annual report on Form 20-F.
 
ITEM 11 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
In the normal course of business, we hold or issue various financial instruments which expose us to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risks. Additionally, our operations are affected by certain commodity price movements. We historically have not used derivative instruments for hedging or trading purposes. Such activities are subject to policies approved by our senior management. Substantially all of the financial instruments we hold are for purposes other than trading. We regard an effective market risk management system as an important element of our treasury function and are currently enhancing our systems. A primary objective of our market risk management is to implement certain methodologies to better measure and monitor risk exposures.
 
The following discussions and tables, which constitute “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, summarize our market-sensitive financial instruments including fair value, maturity and contract terms. Such discussions address market risk only and do not present other risks which we face in the normal course of business.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our interest risk exposure arises from changing interest rates. The tables below provide information about our financial instruments including various debt obligations that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The tables present principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates at expected maturity dates. Weighted-average variable rates are based on effective rates as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The information is presented in Renminbi equivalents, our reporting currency.
 
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
 
We conduct our business primarily in Renminbi. However, a portion of our RMB revenues are converted into other currencies to meet foreign currency financial instrument obligations and to pay for imported equipment, crude oil and other materials. Foreign currency payments for imported equipment represented 33.6%, 13.6% and 5.8% of our total payments for equipment in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. Foreign currency payments for imported crude oil and other materials represented 5.5% , 1.9% and 2.8% of our total payments for materials in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.
 
The Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. Limitation in foreign exchange transactions imposed by the PRC government could cause future exchange rates to vary significantly from current or historical exchange rates. The tables below provide information about our financial instruments including foreign currency denominated debt instruments that are sensitive to foreign currency exchange rates. The tables below summarize such information by presenting principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates at expected maturity dates in RMB equivalents, using the exchange rates in effect as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
December 31, 2008
 
                                                                         
                                Percentage
   
                                to Total
   
    Expected Maturity Date   Long-Term
  Fair
    2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   Thereafter   Total   Debt (%)   Value
    (RMB equivalent in millions, except percentages)
 
Long term debt
                                                                       
Loans in RMB
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    2       2                         3       7       0.02 %     5  
Average interest rate
    0       7.47 %                       0                    
Variable rate(1)
    5,220       11,351       274       20             6,000       22,865       59.59 %     22,865  
Average interest rate
    6.07 %     5.51 %     5.84 %     6.20 %           6.26 %                  


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                                Percentage
   
                                to Total
   
    Expected Maturity Date   Long-Term
  Fair
    2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   Thereafter   Total   Debt (%)   Value
    (RMB equivalent in millions, except percentages)
 
Loans in Euros
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    15       17       17       16       16       126       207       0.54 %     147  
Average interest rate
    2.11 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.10 %                  
Variable rate
                                                     
Average interest rate
                                                     
Loans in United States Dollars
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    66       37       37       37       37       416       630       1.64 %     367  
Average interest rate
    3.88 %     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.38 %                  
Variable rate
    63       3,826       2,805       248       254       3,132       10,328       26.92 %     10,328  
Average interest rate
    2.36 %     2.80 %     2.88 %     6.23 %     6.15 %     2.94 %                  
Loans in Japanese Yen
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    7       13                               20       0.05 %     19  
Average interest rate
    2.42 %     2.42 %                                          
Variable rate
                                                     
Average interest rate
                                                     
Debentures in United States Dollars
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    171       171       171                   301       814       2.12 %     758  
Average interest rate
    9.50 %     9.50 %     9.50 %                 3.00 %                  
Debentures in RMB
                                                                       
Fixed rate
                2,000             1,500             3,500       9.12 %     3,262  
Average interest rate
                3.76 %           4.11 %                        
Total
    5,544       15,417       5,304       321       1,807       9,978       38,371       100.00 %     37,751  
                                                                         
 
December 31, 2007
 
                                                                         
                                Percentage
   
                                to Total
   
    Expected Maturity Date   Long-Term
  Fair
    2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   Thereafter   Total   Debt (%)   Value
    (RMB equivalent in millions, except percentages)
 
Long term debt
                                                                       
Loans in RMB
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    272             2             1             275       0.53 %     254  
Average interest rate
    3.83 %           0             0                          
Variable rate(1)
    7,280       5,220       11,182       10       20       8,700       32,412       62.45 %     32,412  
Average interest rate
    5.49 %     5.07 %     5.46 %     6.89 %     6.89 %     5.84 %                  
Loans in Euros
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    16       16       16       16       16       167       247       0.48 %     163  
Average interest rate
    2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.10 %                  
Variable rate
                                                     
Average interest rate
                                                     
Loans in United States Dollars
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    137       79       45       39       39       468       807       1.56 %     539  
Average interest rate
    5.25 %     3.62 %     1.44 %     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.38 %                  
Variable rate
    4,234       249       2,629       77       3,431       2,867       13,487       25.99 %     13,487  
Average interest rate
    4.92 %     5.33 %     5.07 %     5.50 %     7.40 %     5.12 %                  

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                                Percentage
   
                                to Total
   
    Expected Maturity Date   Long-Term
  Fair
    2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   Thereafter   Total   Debt (%)   Value
    (RMB equivalent in millions, except percentages)
 
Loans in Japanese Yen
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    20       9       8                         37       0.07 %     36  
Average interest rate
    3.40 %     2.42 %     2.42 %                                    
Variable rate
                                                     
Average interest rate
                                                     
Debentures in United States Dollars
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    241       181       184       183             334       1,123       2.17 %     1,123  
Average interest rate
    10.83 %     9.50 %     9.50 %     9.50 %           3.30 %                  
Debentures in RMB
                                                                       
Fixed rate
                      2,000             1,500       3,500       6.75 %     2,981  
Average interest rate
                      3.76 %           4.11 %                  
                                                                         
Total
    12,200       5,754       14,066       2,325       3,507       14,036       51,888       100.00 %     50,995  
                                                                         
 
December 31, 2006
 
                                                                         
                                Percentage
   
                                to Total
   
    Expected Maturity Date   Long-Term
  Fair
    2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   Thereafter   Total   Debt (%)   Value
    (RMB equivalent in millions, except percentages)
 
Long term debt
                                                                       
Loans in RMB
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    62       272                   1             335       0.59 %     320  
Average interest rate
    4.45 %     3.83 %                                          
Variable rate(1)
    13,740       7,280       5,220       1,142             7,590       34,972       61.84 %     34,972  
Average interest rate
    5.21 %     5.35 %     4.64 %     5.01 %           5.07 %                  
Loans in Euros
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    17       16       16       16       16       176       257       0.45 %     214  
Average interest rate
    2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.12 %     2.11 %                  
Variable rate
                                                     
Average interest rate
                                                     
Loans in United States Dollars
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    568       146       73       41       41       562       1,431       2.53 %     1,200  
Average interest rate
    7.69 %     5.12 %     3.96 %     1.43 %     1.43 %     1.39 %                  
Variable rate
    4,697       4,198       706       297       82       3,217       13,197       23.34 %     13,197  
Average interest rate
    5.67 %     6.76 %     5.95 %     5.79 %     4.72 %     5.77 %                  
Loans in British Pounds
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    49                                     49       0.09 %     47  
Average interest rate
    2.85 %                                                
Loans in Japanese Yen
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    37       21       9       8                       75       0.13 %     78  
Average interest rate
    4.25 %     3.40 %     2.42 %     2.42 %                              
Variable rate
                                                     
Average interest rate
                                                     

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                                Percentage
   
                                to Total
   
    Expected Maturity Date   Long-Term
  Fair
    2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   Thereafter   Total   Debt (%)   Value
    (RMB equivalent in millions, except percentages)
 
Debentures in United States Dollar
                                                                       
Fixed Rate
    205       20                   781       343       1,349       2.39 %     1,403  
Average interest rate
    13.48 %     15.00 %                 9.50 %     3.00 %                  
Debentures in RMB
                                                                       
Fixed rate
    1,388                         2,000       1,500       4,888       8.64 %     4,449  
Average interest rate
    4.49 %                       3.76 %     4.11 %                  
Total
    20,763       11,953       6,024       1,504       2,921       13,388       56,553       100.00 %     55,880  
                                                                         
 
 
(1) Due to the declining interest rates in recent years in China, the PRC government has implemented a program to adjust interest rates on certain fixed RMB loans periodically to reflect the market rates in effect published by the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, from time to time. As a result, these previously fixed RMB loans are categorized as variable rate loans as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The newly adjusted rates usually become effective one year after the announcement by the PBOC. The average interest rates on these loans are calculated based on the then effective rates as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
We are engaged in a wide range of petroleum-related activities. The prices of crude oil and refined products in the international market are affected by various factors such as changes in global and regional politics and economy, the demand and supply of crude oil and refined products, as well as unexpected political events and disputes with international repercussions. The domestic crude oil price is determined with reference to the international price of crude oil. On December 18, 2008, a new pricing mechanism on domestic refined products was implemented whereby the prices of domestic refined products were allowed to adjust more in line with the prices in the international crude oil market. A decline in prices of crude oil and refined products could adversely affect our financial performance. We historically have not used commodity derivative instruments to hedge the potential price fluctuations of crude oil and other refined products. We are exposed to the general price fluctuations of broadly traded oil and gas commodities.
 
ITEM 12 — DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Not applicable.
 
PART II
 
ITEM 13 — DEFAULTS, DIVIDENDS ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 14 — MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS TO SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
ITEM 15 — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of the Management on Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our Chairman, who performs the functions of Chief Executive Officer, and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of PetroChina’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the United States Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, have concluded

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that, as of such date, our company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file and furnish under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our company’s management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, our company evaluated the effectiveness of the its internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our company’s management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
 
The effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong), our company’s independent registered public accountants, as stated in its report attached hereto.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During the year ended December 31, 2008, there were no changes in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
ITEM 16A — AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
 
Our audit committee is composed of three non-executive independent directors, Messrs. Franco Bernabè, Chee-Chen Tung and Cui Junhui, and one non-executive director, Wang Guoliang. See “Item 6 — Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Board Practices — Audit Committee”. Cui Junhui, our non-executive independent director has been confirmed as a “financial expert,” as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. In June 2006, with the consent of the audit committee, we retained COSO Chairman, Dr. Larry E Rittenberg, as the financial advisor to our audit committee to give assistance with relevant work. In April 2008, Dr. Larry E Rittenberg, resigned from the position of the financial advisor to our audit committee due to health reasons.
 
ITEM 16B — CODE OF ETHICS
 
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, other executives and senior officers and a separate Code of Ethics that applies to all of our employees. We have included these two Codes of Ethics as Exhibit 16.1 and 16.2 to this annual report.
 
These two Codes of Ethics are also posted on our website, www.petrochina.com.cn, and may be accessed as follows:
 
1. From our main web page, first click on “Investor Relations”.
 
2. Next, click on “Corporate Governance Structure”.
 
3. Finally, click on “Code of Ethics for Senior Management” or “Code of Ethics for Employees of PetroChina Company Limited”.


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ITEM 16C — PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong) has served as PetroChina’s independent registered public accountants for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, for which audited financial statements appear in this annual report on Form 20-F. The auditors are elected annually at the annual general meeting of PetroChina.
 
The offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong) are located at Prince’s Building, 22nd Floor, Central, Hong Kong.
 
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong) to PetroChina for each of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
                 
    December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
    (In millions)
 
Audit fees
    119       95  
Audit-related fees
           
Tax fees
           
All other fees
           
                 
Total
    119       95  
                 
 
Audit fees consist of fees billed for the annual audit services and other audit services, which are those services that only the external auditor reasonably can provide, and include the group audit, statutory audits, and assistance with and review of documents filed with SEC.
 
Tax fees include fees billed for tax compliance services and the aggregate fees are less than RMB1 million for each of years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
Audit Committee Pre-approved Policies and Procedures
 
Currently, all non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong), must be approved by our audit committee.
 
During 2008, services relating to all audit-related fees provided to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong) were approved by our audit committee in accordance with the de minimis exception to the pre-approval requirement provided by paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
 
ITEM 16D — EXEMPTIONS FROM LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
 
We rely on an exemption contained in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D) of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from the New York Stock Exchange listing requirement that each member of the audit committee of a listed issuer must be independent. Our single non-independent audit committee member, who is a representative of CNPC, has only observer status on the audit committee of our board of directors and is not an executive officer of our company, which qualifies us for the exemption from the independence requirements available under paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D) of Rule 10A-3. See “Item 6 — Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Board Practice — Audit Committee.” We believe our reliance on this exemption does not have any adverse effect on the ability of our audit committee to act independently.
 
ITEM 16E — PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
 
Not applicable.


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ITEM 16F — CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16G — CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
We are incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China, or the PRC, with A shares publicly traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, or the SSE and H shares publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, or the HKSE and American Deposit Shares representing H shares on the NYSE. As a result, our corporate governance framework is subject to the mandatory provisions of the PRC Company Law and the Corporate Governance Rules as well as the securities laws, regulations and the listing rules of Hong Kong and the United States.
 
The following discussion summarizes the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those that would apply to a U.S. domestic issuer under the NYSE corporate governance rules.
 
Director Independence
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.01, a listed company must have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors. A company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company, or a controlled company, is not required to comply with this requirement. We are not required under the PRC Company Law and the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange Hong Kong Limited, or the HKSE Listing Rules to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors. Currently, five of our fourteen directors are independent non-executive directors.
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.03, the non-management directors of a listed company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. There are no mandatory requirements under the PRC Company Law and the HKSE Listing Rules that a listed company should hold, and we currently do not hold, such executive sessions.
 
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.04, a listed company must have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties, but a controlled company is not required to comply with this requirement. We are not required under the PRC Company Law and the HKSE Listing Rules to have, and we do not currently have, a nominating/corporate governance committee.
 
Compensation Committee
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.05, a listed company must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties. A controlled company is not required to comply with this requirement. We are not required under the PRC Company Law to have a compensation committee. Under the Corporate Governance Code of the HKSE Listing Rules, a listed company must have a remuneration committee composed of a majority of independent non-executive directors, with a written terms of references that covers certain minimum specified duties.
 
We currently do not have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. However, we have an evaluation and remuneration committee including a majority of independent non-executive directors.
 
Corporate Governance Guidelines
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.09, a listed company must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines that cover certain minimum specified subjects. We are not required under the PRC Company Law and the HKSE Listing Rules to have, and we do not currently have, formal corporate governance guidelines.


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However, we have the Articles of Association, a Manual of Board of Directors and a Trial Implementation Rules for Compensation of Senior Management that address the following subjects:
 
  •  director qualification standards and responsibilities;
 
  •  key board committee responsibilities;
 
  •  director compensation; and
 
  •  director orientation and continuing education
 
In addition, under the HKSE Listing Rules, we are expected to comply with, but may choose to deviate from, certain code provisions in the Corporate Governance Code of the Listing Rules which sets forth the principles and standards of corporate governance for listed companies. Pursuant to the HKSE Listing Rules, if we choose to deviate from any code provisions of the Corporate Governance Code, we must disclose such deviations in our annual report.
 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.10, a listed company must adopt and disclose its code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. We adopted our code of business conduct and ethics for senior management on March 23, 2004 and have disclosed the content of this code on our website and in the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. In addition, we adopted our code of business conduct and ethics for employees on March 2, 2005 and have disclosed the content of this code on our website. We are not required under the PRC Company Law and the HKSE Listing Rules to have, and we do not currently have, a code of business conduct and ethics for directors. However, pursuant to the HKSE Listing Rules, all of our directors must comply with the Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Companies (the “Model Code”) as set out in the Listing Rules. The Model Code sets forth required standards with which the directors of a listed company must comply in securities transactions of the listed company.
 
Certification Requirements
 
Under the NYSE corporate governance rule 303A.12(a), each listed company CEO must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards. Our CEO is not required under the PRC Company Law and the HKSE Listing Rules to submit, and our CEO does not currently submit, such certification.
 
PART III
 
ITEM 17 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
We have elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18 in lieu of Item 17.
 
ITEM 18 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
See page F-1 to F-62 following Item 19.
 
ITEM 19 — EXHIBITS
 
(a) See Item 18 for a list of the financial statements as part of this annual report.
 
(b) Exhibits to this annual report.
 


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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  1 .1   Articles of Association (as amended) (English translation)(5)
  1 .2   Articles of Association (as amended on May 15, 2008) (English translation)(5)
  4 .1   2009 Management Performance Contract (English Translation)
  4 .2   Risk Operation Service Business Assets Transfer Agreement, dated August 23, 2007, between CNPC and PetroChina (English Translation)(5)
  4 .3   Capital Injection Agreement Concerning CNPC Exploration and Development Company Limited, dated December 27, 2007, among CNODC, CNPC E&D and PetroChina (English Translation)(5)
  4 .4   Annual Crude Oil Mutual Supply Framework Agreement, dated December 19, 2008, between China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation and PetroChina (English translation)
  4 .5   Second Supplemental Agreement to Comprehensive products and Services Agreement, dated September 1, 2005, between CNPC and PetroChina (English translation)(2)
  4 .6   Supplementary Agreement to Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement, dated June 9, 2005, between CNPC and PetroChina (English Translation)(3)
  4 .7   Form of Non-competition Agreement between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .8   Form of Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .9   Form of Land Use Rights Leasing Contract between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .10   Form of Buildings Leasing Contract between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .11   Form of Trademark Licensing Contract between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .12   Form of Patent and Know-how Licensing Contract between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .13   Form of Computer Software Licensing Contract between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .14   Form of Contract for Transfer of Rights under Production Sharing Contracts between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .15   Form of Guarantee of Debts Contract between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .16   Form of Contract for the Supervision of Certain Sales Enterprises between CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .17   Form of Agreement for Transfer of Rights and Interests under the Crude Oil Premium and Discount Calculation Agreement between China Petrochemical Corporation, CNPC and PetroChina (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .18   Form of Agreement for the Transfer of Rights and Interests under the Retainer Contracts relating to Oil Exploration and Exploitation in Lengjiapu Area, Liaohe Oil Region and No. 9.1-9.5 Areas, Karamay Oil Field (together with English translation)(4)
  4 .19   Share Purchase Agreement in respect of the shares of PetroKazakhstan, dated August 23, 2006, between Pervinage Holding B.V. (a wholly owned subsidiary of CNPC E&D) and 819 Luxembourg S. a r. l. (an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CNPC)(1)
  4 .20   Inspection and Maintenance Business Equity and Assets Transfer Agreement, dated April 28, 2008, between CNPC and Petrochina (English translation)
  4 .21   Assets Transfer Agreement, date June 10, 2008, between Petrochina and CNPC (English translation)
  4 .22   Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Shares in Sun World Limited, dated August 27, 2008, among Petrochina, CNPC and China Petroleum Hong Kong (Holding) Limited (English translation)
  4 .23   Form of Risk Operation Service Business Assets Transfer Agreements, dated August November 19, 2008, among six branch companies of Petrochina and six subordinate enterprises of CNPC (English translation)

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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
 
  4 .24   Equity Interests Transfer Agreement, dated May 15, 2009, between PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited and China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau; Form of Equity Interests Transfer Agreements, dated May 15, 2009, between PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited and China Huayou Group Corporation; Assets Transfer Agreement, dated May 15, 2009, between PetroChina Kunlun Gas Limited and China Huayou Group Corporation (English translation)
  8 .1   List of major subsidiaries
  12 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  12 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  13 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  13 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  16 .1   Code of Ethics for Senior Management(3)
  16 .2   Code of Ethics for Employees(3)
 
 
(1) Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (File No. 1-15006) filed with the Commission.
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 1-15006) filed with the Commission.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 1-15006) filed with the Commission.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-11566) filed with the Commission, as declared effective on March 29, 2000.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 1-15006) filed with the Commission.

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SIGNATURE
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
/s/  Li Huaiqi
  Name:  Li Huaiqi
  Title:  Secretary to Board of Directors
 
Date: May 26, 2009


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INDEX OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         
    Page
 
PetroChina Company Limited and its Subsidiaries
       
Consolidated Financial Statements
       
    F-2  
    F-3  
    F-4  
    F-5  
    F-6  
    F-8  
    F-9  
    F-58  


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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our company’s management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, our company evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our company’s management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
 
The effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (Certified Public Accountants, Hong Kong), our company’s independent registered public accountant, as stated in its report included herein.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Shareholders of PetroChina Company Limited:
 
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, of changes in equity and of cash flows (“consolidated financial statements”) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of PetroChina Company Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Group”) at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Certified Public Accountants
 
Hong Kong, May 12, 2009


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
(Amounts in millions)
 
                             
        Year Ended December 31,
        2006
  2007
   
    Notes   (Note 35)   (Note 35)   2008
        RMB   RMB   RMB
 
REVENUES
                           
Sales and other operating revenues
        690,512       836,353       1,071,146  
                             
OPERATING EXPENSES
                           
Purchases, services and other
        (269,301 )     (369,219 )     (562,122 )
Employee compensation costs
  6     (39,292 )     (50,863 )     (62,065 )
Exploration expenses, including exploratory dry holes
        (18,827 )     (20,956 )     (21,879 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
        (62,155 )     (67,274 )     (94,603 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
        (43,402 )     (52,257 )     (59,457 )
Taxes other than income taxes
  7     (57,208 )     (73,792 )     (124,115 )
Other (expenses)/incomes, net
        (430 )     (1,221 )     12,395  
                             
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
        (490,615 )     (635,582 )     (911,846 )
                             
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
        199,897       200,771       159,300  
                             
FINANCE COSTS
                           
Exchange gain
        2,028       1,808       1,774  
Exchange loss
        (1,756 )     (2,559 )     (2,855 )
Interest income
        2,148       2,099       2,274  
Interest expense
  8     (3,273 )     (3,604 )     (2,963 )
                             
TOTAL NET FINANCE COSTS
        (853 )     (2,256 )     (1,770 )
                             
INCOME FROM EQUITY AFFILIATES AND JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES
  18     1,706       6,442       4,299  
                             
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
        200,750       204,957       161,829  
INCOME TAXES
  9     (50,602 )     (49,781 )     (35,178 )
                             
INCOME FOR THE YEAR
        150,148       155,176       126,651  
                             
ATTRIBUTABLE TO:
                           
EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY
        143,511       146,750       114,431  
MINORITY INTEREST
        6,637       8,426       12,220  
                             
          150,148       155,176       126,651  
                             
BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE FOR INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY DURING THE YEAR (RMB)
  10     0.80       0.82       0.63  
                             
NUMBER OF SHARES
  10     179,021       179,700       183,021  
                             
DIVIDENDS
                           
Interim dividends declared during the year
  11     36,307       36,823       24,127  
Final dividends proposed after the balance sheet date
  11     27,694       28,708       27,367  
                             
          64,001       65,531       51,494  
                             
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2007 and 2008
(Amounts in millions)
 
                         
        At December 31,
        2007
   
    Notes   (Note 35)   2008
        RMB   RMB
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
    12       68,652       32,944  
Time deposits with maturities over three months but within one year
            18,885       10,425  
Notes receivable
    13       4,735       4,314  
Accounts receivable
    14       18,565       16,756  
Inventories
    15       88,496       90,670  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    16       36,216       69,364  
                         
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
            235,549       224,473  
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
                       
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    17       765,933       898,909  
Investments in equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    18       26,219       28,886  
Available-for-sale financial assets
    19       2,699       2,022  
Advance operating lease payments
    20       23,434       26,201  
Intangible and other assets
    21       8,488       10,677  
Deferred tax assets
    25       305       496  
Time deposits with maturities over one year
            5,053       2,510  
                         
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
            832,131       969,701  
                         
TOTAL ASSETS
            1,067,680       1,194,174  
                         
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
                       
Short-term debts
    23       30,934       92,761  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    22       145,393       156,390  
Income taxes payable
            11,762       1,262  
Other taxes payable
            11,133       13,924  
                         
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
            199,222       264,337  
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
                       
Long-term debts
    23       39,688       32,827  
Other long-term obligations
            1,035       1,162  
Asset retirement obligations
    24       24,761       36,262  
Deferred tax liabilities
    25       20,874       12,460  
                         
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
            86,358       82,711  
                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES
            285,580       347,048  
                         
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY
                       
A shares
    26       161,922       161,922  
H shares
    26       21,099       21,099  
                         
Share capital, issued and outstanding, RMB1.00 Par value
    26       183,021       183,021  
Retained earnings
            333,779       378,600  
Capital reserve
    27       53,362       53,362  
Revaluation reserve
    27       79,946       79,946  
Statutory Common Reserve Fund
    27       102,696       115,466  
Special Reserve — Safety Fund Reserve
    27       3,536       6,750  
Currency translation differences
    27       (1,545 )     (2,717 )
Other reserves
    27       (16,591 )     (23,590 )
MINORITY INTEREST
            43,896       56,288  
                         
TOTAL EQUITY
            782,100       847,126  
                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
            1,067,680       1,194,174  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
(Amounts in millions)
 
                             
        Year Ended December 31,
        2006
  2007
   
    Notes   (Note 35)   (Note 35)   2008
        RMB   RMB   RMB
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                           
Income for the year
        150,148       155,176       126,651  
Adjustments for:
                           
Income taxes
  9     50,602       49,781       35,178  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
        62,155       67,274       94,603  
Capitalized exploratory costs charged to expense
  17     9,494       9,161       10,341  
Income from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
        (1,706 )     (6,442 )     (4,299 )
Allowance for doubtful receivables, net
  14, 16     (316 )     (2,321 )     1  
Write down in inventories, net
        140       55       8,593  
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets, net
        32             30  
Impairment of investments in equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
              5       29  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
        1,753       1,808       2,596  
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of intangible and other assets
        192       (2 )     19  
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
  18     (10 )     (320 )     3  
Gain on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets
  19     (3 )     (142 )     (5 )
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary
                    (259 )
Dividend income
        (210 )     (126 )     (251 )
Interest income
        (2,148 )     (2,099 )     (2,274 )
Interest expense
  8     3,273       3,604       2,963  
Advance payments on long-term operating leases
        (5,694 )     (4,803 )     (4,675 )
Changes in working capital:
                           
— accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other current assets
        (1,797 )     (16,051 )     (26,767 )
— inventories
        (13,448 )     (12,041 )     (10,771 )
— accounts payable and accrued liabilities
        4,667       19,844       (5,685 )
                             
CASH FLOWS GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS
        257,124       262,361       226,021  
Interest received
        2,076       2,072       2,362  
Interest paid
        (3,753 )     (4,163 )     (3,984 )
Income taxes paid
        (54,755 )     (55,027 )     (53,893 )
                             
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
        200,692       205,243       170,506  
                             
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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Table of Contents

PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
(Amounts in millions)
 
                                 
        Year Ended December 31,
        2006
  2007
   
    Notes   (Note 35)   (Note 35)   2008
        RMB   RMB   RMB
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                               
Capital expenditures
            (131,186 )     (173,268 )     (215,416 )
Acquisition of equity affiliates and a jointly controlled entity
            (1,173 )     (1,903 )     (3,619 )
Acquisition of available-for-sale financial assets
            (62 )     (328 )     (23 )
(Acquisition)/Consolidation of PetroKazakhstan Inc. 
            (21,376 )     1,542        
Net proceeds of investments in collateralized loans with maturities not greater than three months
            235              
Acquisition of intangible assets and other non-current assets
            (3,064 )     (3,378 )     (3,909 )
Purchase of minority interest
            (4,735 )     (178 )     (177 )
Acquisition of Sun World Limited
    35                   (6,693 )
Repayment of capital by equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
            99       6,618        
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
            378       1,014       435  
Proceeds from disposal of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
            69       1,033       67  
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries
                        535  
Proceeds from disposal of available-for-sale financial assets
            4       276       52  
Proceeds from disposal of intangible and other non-current assets
            2             37  
Dividends received
            1,325       1,111       4,095  
(Increase)/Decrease in time deposits with maturities over three months
            (1,290 )     (18,025 )     10,669  
                                 
NET CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
            (160,774 )     (185,486 )     (213,947 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                               
Repayments of short-term debts
            (29,343 )     (33,183 )     (83,841 )
Repayments of long-term debts
            (18,552 )     (24,218 )     (14,196 )
Dividends paid to minority interest
            (1,660 )     (4,829 )     (2,738 )
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company
    11       (68,589 )     (64,517 )     (52,835 )
Dividends paid to Sun World Limited equity holder from Sun World Limited pre-acquisition
                        (791 )
Issuance of A shares
    26             66,243        
Increase in short-term debts
            30,183       36,842       152,768  
Increase in long-term debts
            14,877       20,650       4,472  
Capital contribution from minority interest
            1,492       1,349       8,768  
Capital reduction of subsidiaries
                        (3,754 )
(Decrease)/Increase in other long-term obligations
            (51 )     33       (8 )
                                 
NET CASH FLOWS USED FROM /(FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
            (71,643 )     (1,630 )     7,845  
                                 
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY
            (416 )     (221 )     (112 )
                                 
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents
            (32,141 )     17,906       (35,708 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
    12       82,887       50,746       68,652  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year
    12       50,746       68,652       32,944  
                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


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Table of Contents

PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
(Amounts in millions)
 
                                                 
        Minority
  Total
    Attributable to Equity Holders of the Company   Interest   Equity
    Share
  Retained
               
    Capital   Earnings   Reserves   Subtotal        
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Balance at December 31, 2005
    179,021       203,812       132,556       515,389       28,278       543,667  
                                                 
Acquisition of Sun World Limited (Note 35)
          2,471       81       2,552       101       2,653  
                                                 
Balance at January 1, 2006
    179,021       206,283       132,637       517,941       28,379       546,320  
                                                 
Fair value loss from available-for-sale financial assets
                (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (2 )
Currency translation differences
                (283 )     (283 )     (294 )     (577 )
                                                 
Net loss recognized directly in equity
                (284 )     (284 )     (295 )     (579 )
Income for the year ended December 31, 2006
          143,511             143,511       6,637       150,148  
                                                 
Total recognized income/(loss) for 2006
          143,511       (284 )     143,227       6,342       149,569  
                                                 
Transfer to reserves
          (13,355 )     13,355                    
Final dividends for 2005
          (32,282 )           (32,282 )           (32,282 )
Interim dividends for 2006 (Note 11)
          (36,307 )           (36,307 )           (36,307 )
Dividends to minority interest
                            (1,654 )     (1,654 )
Purchase from minority interest of listed subsidiaries (Note 35)
                (2,156 )     (2,156 )     (2,579 )     (4,735 )
Capital contribution from minority interest
                            1,492       1,492  
Other
                            (231 )     (231 )
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2006
    179,021       267,850       143,552       590,423       31,749       622,172  
                                                 
Fair value gain from available-for-sale financial assets
                286       286       22       308  
Currency translation differences
                (938 )     (938 )     (914 )     (1,852 )
                                                 
Net loss recognized directly in equity
                (652 )     (652 )     (892 )     (1,544 )
Income for the year ended December 31, 2007
          146,750             146,750       8,426       155,176  
                                                 
Total recognized income/(loss) for 2007
          146,750       (652 )     146,098       7,534       153,632  
                                                 
Transfer to reserves (Note 27)
          (12,768 )     12,768                    
Special Reserve — Safety Fund Reserve (Note 27)
            (3,536 )     3,536                    
Final dividend for 2006 (Note 11)
          (27,694 )           (27,694 )           (27,694 )
Interim dividend for 2007 (Note 11)
          (36,823 )           (36,823 )           (36,823 )
Dividends to minority interest
                            (4,823 )     (4,823 )
Purchase from minority interest of subsidiaries (Note 35)
                (113 )     (113 )     (65 )     (178 )
Issuance of A shares
    4,000             62,243       66,243             66,243  
Consolidation of PetroKazakhstan Inc. 
                            8,101       8,101  
Capital contribution from minority interest
                            1,349       1,349  
Other
                70       70       51       121  
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2007
    183,021       333,779       221,404       738,204       43,896       782,100  
                                                 
Fair value loss from available-for-sale financial assets
                (237 )     (237 )     (36 )     (273 )
Currency translation differences
                (1,172 )     (1,172 )     (1,504 )     (2,676 )
                                                 
Net loss recognized directly in equity
                (1,409 )     (1,409 )     (1,540 )     (2,949 )
Income for the year ended December 31, 2008
          114,431             114,431       12,220       126,651  
                                                 
Total recognized income/(loss) for 2008
          114,431       (1,409 )     113,022       10,680       123,702  
                                                 
Transfer to reserves (Note 27)
          (12,770 )     12,770                    
Special Reserve — Safety fund reserve (Note 27)
          (3,214 )     3,214                    
Final dividends for 2007 (Note 11)
          (28,708 )           (28,708 )           (28,708 )
Interim dividends for 2008 (Note 11)
          (24,127 )           (24,127 )           (24,127 )
Dividends to Sun World Limited equity holder from Sun World Limited pre-acquisition
          (791 )           (791 )           (791 )
Dividends to minority interest
                            (2,776 )     (2,776 )
Capital reduction of subsidiaries
                (61 )     (61 )     (3,693 )     (3,754 )
Acquisition of Sun World Limited (Note 35)
                (6,693 )     (6,693 )           (6,693 )
Purchase of minority interest in subsidiaries
                (17 )     (17 )     (160 )     (177 )
Capital contribution from minority interest
                            8,768       8,768  
Disposal of subsidiaries
                            (429 )     (429 )
Other
                9       9       2       11  
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    183,021       378,600       229,217       790,838       56,288       847,126  
                                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


F-8


Table of Contents

PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
1  ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
 
PetroChina Company Limited (the “Company”) was established in the People’s Republic of China ( “PRC” or “China”) on November 5, 1999 as a joint stock company with limited liability as a result of a group restructuring (the “Restructuring”) of China National Petroleum Corporation (“CNPC”) in preparation for the listing of the Company’s shares in Hong Kong and in the United States of America in 2000 (Note 26). The Company and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Group”.
 
The Group is principally engaged in (i) the exploration, development and production and sale of crude oil and natural gas, (ii) the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products, (iii) the production and sale of chemicals, and (iv) the transmission, marketing and sale of natural gas (Note 34).
 
2  BASIS OF PREPARATION
 
The consolidated financial statements (comprising the consolidated balance sheets, the consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of changes in equity and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes) have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared under the historical cost convention except as disclosed in the accounting policies below.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 5.
 
3  SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
(a)  Basis of consolidation
 
Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Group has an interest of more than one half of the voting rights or otherwise has the power to govern the financial and operating policies.
 
A subsidiary is consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and is no longer consolidated from the date that control ceases. The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries except for business combinations under common control. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given up, shares issued or liabilities undertaken at the date of acquisition plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any minority interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets of the subsidiary acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated statements of income.
 
An acquisition of a business which is a business combination under common control is accounted for in a manner similar to a uniting of interests whereby the assets and liabilities acquired are accounted for at carryover predecessor values to the other party to the business combination with all periods presented as if the operations of the Group and the business acquired have always been combined. The difference between the consideration paid by the Group and the net assets or liabilities of the business acquired is adjusted against equity.


F-9


Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated; unrealised losses are also eliminated but considered an impairment indicator of the asset transferred. Where necessary, accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
 
A listing of the Group’s principal subsidiaries is set out in Note 35.
 
(b)  Investments in equity affiliates
 
Equity affiliates are entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in equity affiliates are accounted for by the equity method of accounting in the consolidated financial statements of the Group and are initially recognized at cost. Under this method of accounting the Group’s share of the post-acquisition income or losses of equity affiliates is recognized in the consolidated statements of income and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognized in consolidated reserves. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amounts of the investments. When the Group’s share of losses in an equity affiliate equals or exceeds its interest in the equity affiliate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the equity affiliate. Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its equity affiliates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the equity affiliates; unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. The Group’s investment in equity affiliates includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated loss and is tested for impairment as part of the overall balance. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired equity affiliate at the date of acquisition.
 
A listing of the Group’s principal equity affiliates is shown in Note 18.
 
(c)  Investments in jointly controlled entities
 
Jointly controlled entities are those over which the Group has contractual arrangements to jointly share control with one or more parties. The Group’s interest in jointly controlled entities is accounted for by the equity method of accounting (Note 3(b)) in the consolidated financial statements.
 
A listing of the Group’s principal jointly controlled entities is shown in Note 18.
 
(d)  Transactions with minority interest
 
The Group applies a policy of treating transactions with minority interests as transactions with equity participants of the Group. Gains and losses resulting from disposals to minority interests are recorded in equity. The differences between any consideration paid and the relevant share of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary acquired, resulting from the purchase from minority interests, are recorded in equity.
 
(e)  Foreign currencies
 
Items included in the financial statements of each entity in the Group are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). Most assets and operations of the Group are located in the PRC (Note 34), and the functional currency of the Company and most of the consolidated subsidiaries is the Renminbi (“RMB”). The consolidated financial statements are presented in the presentation currency of RMB.
 
Foreign currency transactions of the Group are accounted for at the exchange rates prevailing at the respective dates of the transactions; monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at


F-10


Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
exchange rates at the balance sheet date; gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities are recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
 
For the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the Group’s presentation currency, assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses for each income statement presented are translated at the average exchange rates for each period and the resulting exchange differences are recognized as a separate component of equity.
 
(f)  Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties (Note 3(g)), are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into existing use. Subsequent to their initial recognition, property, plant and equipment are carried at revalued amounts. Revaluations are performed by independent qualified valuers on a periodic basis.
 
In the intervening years between independent revaluations, the directors review the carrying values of the property, plant and equipment and adjustments are made if the carrying values differ materially from their respective fair values.
 
Increases in the carrying values arising from revaluations are credited to the revaluation reserve. Decreases in the carrying values arising from revaluations are first offset against increases from earlier revaluations in respect of the same assets and are thereafter charged to the consolidated statements of income. All other decreases in carrying values are charged to the consolidated statements of income. Any subsequent increases are credited to the consolidated statements of income up to the respective amounts previously charged.
 
Revaluation surpluses realised through the depreciation or disposal of revalued assets are retained in the revaluation reserve and will not be available for offsetting against future revaluation losses.
 
Depreciation, to write off the cost or valuation of each asset, other than oil and gas properties (Note 3(g)), to their residual values over their estimated useful lives is calculated using the straight-line method.
 
The Group uses the following useful lives for depreciation purposes:
 
         
Buildings
    8-40 years  
Equipment and Machinery
    4-30 years  
Motor vehicles
    4-14 years  
Other
    5-12 years  
 
 
No depreciation is provided on construction in progress until the assets are completed and ready for use.
 
The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.
 
Property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties (Note 3(g)), are reviewed for possible impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of a cash generating unit exceeds the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, which is the estimated net present value of future cash flows to be derived from the cash generating unit.
 
Gains and losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment are determined by reference to their carrying amounts and are recorded in the consolidated statements of income.


F-11


Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
Interest and other costs on debts to finance the construction of property, plant and equipment are capitalized during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use. Costs for repairs and maintenance activities are expensed as incurred except for costs of components that result in improvements or betterments which are capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment and depreciated over their useful lives.
 
(g)  Oil and gas properties
 
The successful efforts method of accounting is used for oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all costs for development wells, support equipment and facilities, and proved mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized. Geological and geophysical costs are expensed when incurred. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized as construction in progress pending determination of whether the wells find proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions. Exploratory wells in areas not requiring major capital expenditures are evaluated for economic viability within one year of completion of drilling. The related well costs are expensed as dry holes if it is determined that such economic viability is not attained. Otherwise, the related well costs are reclassified to oil and gas properties and are subject to impairment review (Note 3(f)). For exploratory wells that are found to have economically viable reserves in areas where major capital expenditure will be required before production can commence, the related well costs remain capitalized only if additional drilling is under way or firmly planned. Otherwise the related well costs are expensed as dry holes. The Group does not have any significant costs of unproved properties capitalized in oil and gas properties.
 
The Ministry of Land and Resources in China issues production licenses to applicants on the basis of the reserve reports approved by relevant authorities.
 
The cost of oil and gas properties is amortized at the field level based on the unit of production method. Unit of production rates are based on oil and gas reserves estimated to be recoverable from existing facilities based on the current terms of the Group’s production licenses. The Group’s oil and gas reserves estimates include only crude oil and condensate and natural gas which management believes can be reasonably produced within the current terms of these production licenses.
 
(h)  Intangible assets
 
Expenditures on acquired patents, trademarks, technical know-how and licenses are capitalized at historical cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives, generally less than 10 years. Intangible assets are not subsequently revalued. The carrying amount of each intangible asset is reviewed annually and adjusted for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized whenever the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount and is recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The recoverable amount is measured as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use which is the estimated net present value of future cash flows to be derived from the asset.
 
(i)  Financial assets
 
Financial assets are classified into the following categories: financial assets at fair value through income or loss, held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition. The Group has only loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
assets. The detailed accounting policies for loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets held by the Group are set out below.
 
(i)  Loans and receivables
 
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date, which are classified as non-current assets. The Group’s loans and receivables comprise accounts receivable, notes receivable, other receivables, time deposits and cash and cash equivalents. The recognition methods for loans and receivables are disclosed in the respective policy notes.
 
(ii)  Available-for-sale financial assets
 
Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories; these are included in non-current assets unless management intends to dispose of the investment within 12 months of the balance sheet date. The Group’s available-for-sale financial assets primarily comprise unquoted equity instruments.
 
Regular purchases and sales of available-for-sale financial assets are recognized on settlement date, the date that the asset is delivered to or by the Group (the effective acquisition or sale date). Available-for-sale financial assets are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs. Available-for-sale financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership in the investment. Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value except where there are no quoted market prices in active markets and the fair values cannot be reliably measured using valuation techniques. Available-for-sale financial assets that do not have quoted market prices in active markets and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are carried at cost. The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that an available-for-sale financial asset is impaired. The amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the available-for-sale financial asset and the present value of the estimated cash flows.
 
(j)  Leases
 
Leases of property, plant and equipment where the Group assumes substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership are classified as capital leases. The Group has no significant capital leases.
 
Leases of assets under which a significant portion of the risks and benefits of ownership are effectively retained by the lessors are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessors) are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Payments made to the PRC’s land authorities to secure land use rights are treated as operating leases. Land use rights are generally obtained through advance lump-sum payments and the terms of use range up to 50 years.
 
(k)  Related parties
 
Related parties include CNPC and its subsidiaries, other state-controlled enterprises and their subsidiaries directly or indirectly controlled by the PRC government, corporations which the Company is able to control , jointly control or exercise significant influence over, key management personnel of the Company and CNPC and their close family members.
 
Transactions with related parties do not include those with providers of public utilities (including electricity, telecommunications and postal services) and government departments and agencies which are conducted in the ordinary course of business at arm’s length market prices.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
(l)  Inventories
 
Inventories include oil products, chemical products and materials and supplies which are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is primarily determined by the weighted average cost method. The cost of finished goods comprises raw materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads, but excludes debt costs. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the cost of completion and selling expenses.
 
(m)  Accounts receivable
 
Accounts receivable are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision made for impairment of these receivables. Such provision for impairment is established if there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. The factors the Group considers when assessing whether an account receivable is impaired include but are not limited to significant financial difficulties of the customer, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization and default or delinquency in payments. The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate.
 
(n)  Cash and cash equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, deposits held with banks and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the time of purchase.
 
(o)  Accounts payable
 
Accounts payable are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
 
(p)  Debts
 
Debts are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. In subsequent periods, debts are stated at amortized cost using the effective yield method. Any difference between proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the consolidated statements of income over the period of the debts.
 
Debt costs are recognized as an expense in the period in which they are incurred except for the portion eligible for capitalization as part of qualifying property, plant and equipment.
 
Debts are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has unconditional rights to defer settlements of the liabilities for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.
 
(q)  Taxation
 
The Company has obtained approval from the State Administration for Taxation to report taxable income on a consolidated basis.
 
Deferred tax is provided in full, using the liability method, for temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying values in the financial statements. However, deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable income or loss. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply to the period when the related deferred tax asset is realised or deferred tax liability is settled.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The principal temporary differences arise from depreciation on oil and gas properties and equipment and provision for impairment of receivables, inventories, investments and property, plant and equipment. Deferred tax assets relating to the carry forward of unused tax losses are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilized.
 
The Group also incurs various other taxes and levies that are not income taxes. “Taxes other than income taxes”, which form part of operating expenses, primarily comprise a special levy on domestic sales of crude oil (Note 7), consumption tax, resource tax, urban construction tax, education surcharges and business tax.
 
(r)  Revenue recognition
 
Sales are recognized upon delivery of products and customer acceptance or performance of services, net of sales taxes and discounts. Revenues are recognized only when the Group has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities, and when the amount of revenue and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably and collectability of the related receivables is reasonably assured.
 
The Group markets a portion of its natural gas under take-or-pay contracts. Customers under the take-or-pay contracts are required to take or pay for the minimum natural gas deliveries specified in the contract clauses. Revenue recognition for natural gas sales and transmission tariff under the take-or-pay contracts follows the accounting policies described in this note. Payments received from customers for natural gas not yet taken are recorded as deferred revenues until actual deliveries take place.
 
(s)  Provisions
 
Provisions are recognized when the Group has present legal or constructive obligations as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligations, and reliable estimates of the amounts can be made.
 
Provision for future decommissioning and restoration is recognized in full on the installation of oil and gas properties. The amount recognized is the present value of the estimated future expenditure determined in accordance with local conditions and requirements. A corresponding addition to the related oil and gas properties of an amount equivalent to the provision is also created. This is subsequently depreciated as part of the costs of the oil and gas properties. Any change in the present value of the estimated expenditure other than due to passage of time which is regarded as interest expense, is reflected as an adjustment to the provision and oil and gas properties.
 
(t)  Research and development
 
Research expenditure incurred is recognized as an expense. Costs incurred on development projects are recognized as intangible assets to the extent that such expenditure is expected to generate future economic benefits.
 
(u)  Retirement benefit plans
 
The Group contributes to various employee retirement benefit plans organised by PRC municipal and provincial governments under which it is required to make monthly contributions to these plans at prescribed rates for its employees in China. The relevant PRC municipal and provincial governments undertake to assume the retirement benefit obligations of existing and future retired employees of the Group in China. The Group has similar retirement benefit plans for its employees in its overseas operations. Contributions to these PRC and overseas plans are charged to expense as incurred. In addition, the Group joined the corporate annuity plan approved by relevant PRC authorities. Contribution to the annuity plan is charged to expense as incurred.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The Group currently has no additional material obligations outstanding for the payment of retirement and other post-retirement benefits of employees in the PRC or overseas other than those described above.
 
(v)  Share-based compensation — Share appreciation rights
 
Compensation under the share appreciation rights is measured based on the fair value of the liability incurred and is expensed over the vesting period. The liability is remeasured at each balance sheet date to its fair value until settlement with all the changes in liability recorded in employee compensation costs in the consolidated statements of income; the related liability is included in the salaries and welfare payable.
 
(w)  New accounting developments
 
IAS 19 (Amendment), ‘Employee benefits’ clarifies that the distinction between short-term and long-term employee benefits will be based on whether benefits are due to be settled within or after 12 months of employee service being rendered. IAS 19 (Amendment) is effective from 1 January 2009 and the Group will apply IAS 19 (Amendment) from 1 January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 27 (Revised), ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’ requires the effects of all transactions with non-controlling interests to be recorded in equity if there is no change in control and these transactions will no longer result in goodwill or gains and losses. IAS 27 (Revised) also specifies the accounting when control is lost. Any remaining interest in the entity is re-measured to fair value and a gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. IAS 27 (Revised) is effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 July 2009 and the Group is currently evaluating the impact of IAS 27 (Revised) on the Group’s financial statements.
 
IAS 27 (Amendment), ‘Consolidated and separate financial statements’ removes the definition of the cost method and replaces it with a requirement to present dividends as income in the separate financial statements of the investor. IAS 27 (Amendment) is effective from 1 January 2009 and the Group will apply IAS 27 (Amendment) from 1 January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 28 (Amendment), ‘Investments in associates’ requires an investment in an associate be treated as a single asset for the purposes of impairment testing and any impairment loss is not allocated to specific assets included within the investment, for example, goodwill. Reversals of impairment are recorded as an adjustment to the investment balance to the extent that the recoverable amount of the associate increases. IAS 28 (Amendment) is effective from 1 January 2009 and the Group will apply IAS 28 (Amendment) from 1 January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 36 (Amendment), ‘Impairment of assets’ requires that where fair value less costs to sell is calculated on the basis of discounted cash flows, disclosures equivalent to those for value-in-use calculation should be made. IAS 36 (Amendment) is effective from 1 January 2009 and the Group will apply IAS 36 (Amendment) from 1 January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IAS 38 (Amendment), ‘Intangible assets’ requires a prepayment only be recognized in the event that payment has been made in advance of obtaining right of access to goods or receipt of services. IAS 38 (Amendment) is effective from 1 January 2009 and the Group will apply IAS 38 (Amendment) from 1 January 2009, but it is not expected to have any significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 
IFRS 3 (Revised), ‘Business combinations’ continues to apply the acquisition method to business combinations, with some significant changes. For example, all payments to purchase a business are to be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date, with contingent payments classified as debt subsequently re-measured through the income statement. There is a choice on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis to measure the non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair vale or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
All acquisition-related costs should be expensed. IFRS 3 (Revised) is effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 July 2009 and the Group is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 3 (Revised) on the Group’s financial statements.
 
IFRS 5 (Amendment), ‘Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations’ clarifies that all of a subsidiary’s assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale if a partial disposal plan results in loss of control, and relevant disclosure should be made for this subsidiary if the definition of a discontinued operation is met. IFRS 5 (Amendment) is effective for annual periods commencing on or after 1 July 2009 and the Group is currently evaluating the impact of IFRS 5 (Amendment) on the Group’s financial statements.
 
4  FINANCIAL RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
 
4.1  Financial risk factors
 
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks, including market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.
 
(a)  Market risk
 
(i)  Foreign exchange risk
 
The Group conducts its business primarily in RMB, but maintains a portion of its assets in other currencies to pay for imported crude oil, imported equipment and other materials and to meet foreign currency financial liabilities. The Group is exposed to currency risks arising from fluctuations in various foreign currency exchange rates against the RMB. The RMB is not a freely convertible currency and is regulated by the PRC government. Limitations on foreign exchange transactions imposed by the PRC government could cause future exchange rates to vary significantly from current or historical exchange rates. The Group did not enter into material hedge contracts to hedge against its foreign exchange rate risk during the current year.
 
(ii)  Interest rate risk
 
The Group has no significant interest rate risk on interest-bearing assets.
 
The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk arises from its debts. The Group’s debts at floating rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk and its debts at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. However, the exposure to interest rate risk is not material to the Group. A detailed analysis of the Group’s debts, together with their respective interest rates and maturity dates, is included in Note 23.
 
(iii)  Price risk
 
The Group is engaged in a wide range of petroleum-related activities. Prices of crude oil and petroleum products are affected by a wide range of global and domestic factors which are beyond the control of the Group. The fluctuations in such prices may have favourable or unfavourable impacts on the Group. The Group did not use commodity derivative instruments to hedge against potential price fluctuations of crude oil or petroleum products during the current year.
 
(b)  Credit risk
 
Credit risk arises from cash and time deposits with banks and credit exposure to customers with outstanding receivable balances.
 
A substantial portion of the Group’s cash at bank and time deposits are placed with the major state-owned banks and financial institutions in China and management believes that the credit risk is low.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The Group has controls in place to assess the credit quality of its customers and sets appropriate credit limits taking into account the financial position and past history of defaults of customers. The Group’s accounts receivable balances over 3 years has been substantially provided for and accounts receivable balances within one year are generally neither past due nor impaired. The Group’s accounts receivable balances that are neither past due nor impaired are with customers with no recent history of default.
 
The carrying amounts of cash and time deposits placed with banks, accounts receivable, other receivables and notes receivable included in the consolidated balance sheet represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. No other financial assets carry a significant exposure to credit risk.
 
The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk.
 
(c)  Liquidity risk
 
The Group’s liquidity risk management involves maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents and availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities.
 
Given the low level of gearing and continued access to funding, the Group believes that its liquidity risk is not material.
 
Analysis of the Group’s financial liabilities based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity dates are presented in Note 23.
 
4.2  Capital management
 
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, optimise returns for equity holders and to minimise its cost of capital. In meeting its objectives of managing capital, the Group may issue new shares, adjust its debt levels or the mix between short-term and long-term debts.
 
The Group monitors capital on the basis of the gearing ratio which is calculated as interest-bearing debts/ (interest-bearing debts + total equity).
 
The gearing ratio at December 31, 2008 was 12.9% (2007: 8.3%).
 
4.3  Fair value estimation
 
The methods and assumptions applied in determining the fair value of each class of financial assets and financial liabilities of the Group at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are disclosed in the respective accounting policies.
 
The carrying amounts of the following financial assets and financial liabilities approximate their fair value as all of them are short-term in nature: cash and cash equivalents, time deposits with maturities over three months but within one year, accounts receivable, other receivables, trade payables, other payables and short-term debts. The fair values of fixed rate long-term debts are likely to be different from their respective carrying amounts. Analysis of the fair values and carrying amounts of long-term debts are presented in Note 23.
 
5  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
 
Estimates and judgements are regularly evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
 
The matters described below are considered to be the most critical in understanding the estimates and judgements that are involved in preparing the Group’s consolidated financial statements.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
(a)  Estimation of oil and natural gas reserves
 
Estimates of oil and natural gas reserves are key elements in the Group’s investment decision-making process. They are also an important element in testing for impairment. Changes in proved oil and natural gas reserves, particularly proved developed reserves, will affect unit-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization recorded in the Group’s consolidated financial statements for property, plant and equipment related to oil and gas production activities. A reduction in proved developed reserves will increase depreciation, depletion and amortization charges (assuming constant production) and reduce net income. Proved reserve estimates are subject to revision, either upward or downward, based on new information, such as from development drilling and production activities or from changes in economic factors, including product prices, contract terms, evolution of technology or development plans.
 
(b)  Estimation of impairment of property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties, are reviewed for possible impairments when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Determination as to whether and how much an asset is impaired involves management estimates and judgements such as the future price of crude oil, refined and chemical products and the production profile. However, the impairment reviews and calculations are based on assumptions that are consistent with the Group’s business plans. Favourable changes to some assumptions may allow the Group to avoid the need to impair any assets in these years, whereas unfavourable changes may cause the assets to become impaired.
 
(c)  Estimation of asset retirement obligations
 
Provision is recognized for the future decommissioning and restoration of oil and gas properties. The amounts of the provision recognized are the present values of the estimated future expenditures. The estimation of the future expenditures is based on current local conditions and requirements, including legal requirements, technology, price levels, etc.. In addition to these factors, the present value of these estimated future expenditures are also impacted by the estimation of the economic lives of oil and gas properties. Changes in any of these estimates will impact the operating results and the financial position of the Group over the remaining economic lives of the oil and gas properties.
 
6  EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION COSTS
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Wages, salaries and allowances
    26,752       32,798       38,933  
Social security costs
    12,540       18,065       23,132  
                         
      39,292       50,863       62,065  
                         
 
Social security costs mainly represent contributions to funds for staff welfare organized by the PRC municipal and provincial governments and others including contribution to the retirement benefit plans. (Note 28).
 
7  TAXES OTHER THAN INCOME TAXES
 
Taxes other than income taxes include RMB28,988, RMB44,662 and RMB85,291 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 of special levy which is paid or payable on the portion of income realized from the sales of domestically-produced crude oil at prices above certain level.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
8  INTEREST EXPENSE
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Interest on loans
    3,792       4,136       3,966  
Accretion expense (Note 24)
    796       1,202       1,746  
Less: amounts capitalized
    (1,315 )     (1,734 )     (2,749 )
                         
      3,273       3,604       2,963  
                         
 
Amounts capitalized are debt costs that are directly attributable to the construction of a qualifying asset. Interest rates on such capitalized debts range from 5.832% to 6.966% per annum in 2007 and 5.346% to 6.966% per annum in 2008.
 
9  INCOME TAXES
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Current taxes
    51,839       48,975       43,393  
Deferred taxes (Note 25)
    (1,237 )     806       (8,215 )
                         
      50,602       49,781       35,178  
                         
 
In accordance with the relevant PRC income tax rules and regulations, the PRC corporate income tax rate applicable to the Group is principally 33% for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and 25% for 2008. Operations of the Group in certain regions in China have qualified for certain tax incentives in the form of reduced income tax rate to 15% through the year 2010 and accelerated depreciation of certain property, plant and equipment.


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The tax on the Group’s income before income taxes differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the corporate income tax rate in the PRC applicable to the Group as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Income before income taxes
    200,750       204,957       161,829  
                         
Tax calculated at tax rates of 33% (2006 and 2007) and 25% (2008)
    66,247       67,636       40,457  
Prior year tax return adjustment
    243       451       25  
Effect of income taxes from international operations in excess of taxes at the PRC statutory tax rate
    1,503       633       6,876  
Effect of preferential tax rate
    (14,280 )     (17,008 )     (10,895 )
Effect of changes in statutory tax rates on deferred taxes
          (3,788 )     (3,134 )
Tax effect of income not subject to tax
    (1,193 )     (2,838 )     (1,358 )
Tax effect of taxable items deductible not expensed
          (2,365 )      
Tax effect of expenses not deductible for tax purposes
    2,483       4,142       3,207  
Tax effect of unused tax losses which had expired
          2,918        
Tax effect of temporary differences in relation to certain crude oil sales which no longer existed at year end
    (4,401 )            
                         
Income taxes
    50,602       49,781       35,178  
                         
 
10  BASIC AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE
 
Basic and diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 have been computed by dividing income for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the number of 179,021 million shares issued and outstanding for the year.
 
Basic and diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been computed by dividing income for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of 179,700 million shares issued and outstanding for the year.
 
Basic and diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been computed by dividing income for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company by the number of 183,021 million shares issued and outstanding for the year.
 
There are no potential dilutive ordinary shares.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
11  DIVIDENDS
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Interim dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company for 2006 (Note (i))
    36,307              
Final dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company for 2006 (Note (ii))
    27,694              
Interim dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company for 2007 (Note (iii))
          36,823        
Final dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company for 2007 (Note (iv))
          28,708        
Interim dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company for 2008 (Note (v))
                24,127  
Final dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company for 2008 (Note (vi))
                27,367  
                         
      64,001       65,531       51,494  
                         
 
 
(i) Interim dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company in respect of 2006 of RMB0.202806 yuan per share amounting to a total of RMB36,307 were accounted for in equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended December 31, 2006, and were paid on September 26, 2006.
 
(ii) Final dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company in respect of 2006 of RMB0.154699 yuan per share amounting to a total of RMB27,694 were approved by the shareholders in the Annual General Meeting on May 16, 2007 and accounted for in equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended December 31, 2007, and were paid on June 1, 2007.
 
(iii) Interim dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company in respect of 2007 of RMB0.205690 yuan per share amounting to a total of RMB36,823 were accounted for in equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended December 31, 2007, and were paid on September 28, 2007.
 
(iv) Final dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company in respect of 2007 of RMB0.156859 yuan per share amounting to a total of RMB28,708 were approved by the shareholders in the Annual General Meeting on May 15, 2008 and accounted for in equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended December 31, 2008, and were paid on June 13, 2008.
 
(v) Interim dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company in respect of 2008 of RMB0.13183 yuan per share amounting to a total of RMB24,127 were accounted for in equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ended December 31, 2008, and were paid on October 16, 2008.
 
(vi) At the meeting on March 25, 2009, the Board of Directors proposed final dividends attributable to equity holders of the Company in respect of 2008 of RMB0.14953 yuan per share amounting to a total of RMB27,367. These consolidated financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable as the final dividends were proposed after the balance sheet date and will be accounted for in equity as an appropriation of retained earnings in the year ending December 31, 2009 when approved by the Company’s shareholders.
 
12  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
The weighted average effective interest rates on bank deposits were 2.00% and 2.24% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
13  NOTES RECEIVABLE
 
Notes receivable represents mainly the bills of acceptance issued by banks for sale of goods and products. All notes receivables are due within one year.
 
14  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Accounts receivable due from third parties
    15,442       12,784  
Accounts receivable due from related parties
    6,002       6,394  
Less: Provision for impairment of accounts receivable
    (2,879 )     (2,422 )
                 
      18,565       16,756  
                 
 
Amounts due from related parties are interest free and unsecured (Note 32).
 
The aging analysis of accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Within 1 year
    18,406       16,509  
Between 1 to 2 years
    39       155  
Between 2 to 3 years
    32       25  
Over 3 years
    2,967       2,489  
                 
      21,444       19,178  
                 
 
The Group offers its customers credit terms up to 180 days.
 
Movement in the provision for impairment of accounts receivable is as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
At beginning of the year
    3,998       3,257       2,879  
Reversal of provision for impairment of accounts receivable, net
    (126 )     (90 )     (69 )
Amount written off against allowance
    (615 )     (288 )     (388 )
                         
At end of the year
    3,257       2,879       2,422  
                         


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
15  INVENTORIES
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Crude oil and other raw materials
    30,324       31,305  
Work in progress
    6,083       3,472  
Finished goods
    52,804       65,072  
Spare parts and consumables
    32       31  
                 
      89,243       99,880  
Less: Write down in inventories
    (747 )     (9,210 )
                 
      88,496       90,670  
                 
 
The cost of inventories recognized as an expense amounted to RMB335,133, RMB458,508 and RMB661,978 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Inventories of the Group carried at net realizable value amounted to RMB1,981 and RMB53,551 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
16  PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Other receivables
    9,472       7,808  
Amounts due from related parties
    19,586       17,743  
Advances to suppliers
    10,745       21,582  
                 
      39,803       47,133  
Less: Allowance for doubtful receivables
    (4,079 )     (3,938 )
                 
      35,724       43,195  
Value-added tax recoverable
          25,677  
Prepaid expenses
    304       275  
Other current assets
    188       217  
                 
      36,216       69,364  
                 
 
Other receivables consist primarily of taxes other than income taxes refunds, subsidies receivable, and receivables for the sale of materials and scrap.
 
Except for loans to related parties (Note 32 (g)), all other amounts due from related parties are interest free, unsecured and with no fixed terms of repayment.


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
Movements in allowance for doubtful receivables are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Balance at beginning of the year
    6,814       6,506       4,079  
(Write back)/Provision, net
    (190 )     (2,231 )     70  
Amount written off against allowance
    (118 )     (196 )     (211 )
                         
Balance at end of the year
    6,506       4,079       3,938  
                         
 
17  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
                                                         
            Equipment
               
        Oil and Gas
  and
  Motor
      Construction
   
Year Ended December 31, 2007
  Buildings   Property   Machinery   Vehicles   Other   in Progress   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Cost or valuation
                                                       
At beginning of the year
    80,309       582,433       307,845       12,120       7,976       73,950       1,064,633  
Additions
    2,983       7,883       2,299       3,237       293       170,405       187,100  
Transfers
    8,778       87,528       25,916             885       (123,107 )      
Consolidation of PetroKazakhstan Inc. 
    184       8,119       247       170       136       1,310       10,166  
Disposals or write offs
    (1,585 )     (8,539 )     (2,443 )     (423 )     (265 )     (9,161 )     (22,416 )
Currency translation differences
    (77 )     (1,635 )     (133 )     (11 )     (19 )     (237 )     (2,112 )
                                                         
At end of the year
    90,592       675,789       333,731       15,093       9,006       113,160       1,237,371  
                                                         
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
                                                       
At beginning of the year
    (19,280 )     (237,822 )     (147,787 )     (6,533 )     (4,381 )     (297 )     (416,100 )
Charge for the year
    (5,034 )     (37,022 )     (19,940 )     (1,215 )     (775 )     (5 )     (63,991 )
Disposals or write offs or transfers
    1,459       4,687       1,073       344       102       17       7,682  
Currency translation differences
    10       915       26       6       14             971  
                                                         
At end of the year
    (22,845 )     (269,242 )     (166,628 )     (7,398 )     (5,040 )     (285 )     (471,438 )
                                                         
Net book value
                                                       
At end of the year
    67,747       406,547       167,103       7,695       3,966       112,875       765,933  
                                                         
 


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                                                         
            Equipment
               
        Oil and Gas
  and
  Motor
      Construction
   
Year Ended December 31, 2008
  Buildings   Properties   Machinery   Vehicles   Other   in Progress   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Cost or valuation
                                                       
At beginning of the year
    90,592       675,789       333,731       15,093       9,006       113,160       1,237,371  
Additions
    1,005       14,382       3,694       2,793       288       220,089       242,251  
Transfers
    10,257       106,838       32,261             920       (150,276 )      
Disposals or write offs
    (2,308 )     (3,945 )     (3,611 )     (492 )     (222 )     (10,341 )     (20,919 )
Currency translation differences
    (247 )     (3,023 )     (380 )     (67 )     (106 )     (348 )     (4,171 )
                                                         
At end of the year
    99,299       790,041       365,695       17,327       9,886       172,284       1,454,532  
                                                         
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
                                                       
At beginning of the year
    (22,845 )     (269,242 )     (166,628 )     (7,398 )     (5,040 )     (285 )     (471,438 )
Charge for the year
    (5,852 )     (50,827 )     (31,828 )     (1,446 )     (942 )     (1 )     (90,896 )
Disposals or write offs or transfers
    1,005       1,868       2,034       339       214       20       5,480  
Currency translation differences
    58       968       109       36       59       1       1,231  
                                                         
At end of the year
    (27,634 )     (317,233 )     (196,313 )     (8,469 )     (5,709 )     (265 )     (555,623 )
                                                         
Net book value
                                                       
At end of the year
    71,665       472,808       169,382       8,858       4,177       172,019       898,909  
                                                         
 
The Group does not have any significant property, plant and equipment under finance leases at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
 
The depreciation charge of the Group included RMBNil, RMBNil and RMB4,235 relating to impairment losses on certain of the Group’s oil and gas properties and RMB2,642, RMB294 and RMB11,949 of equipment and machinery for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
A valuation of all of the Group’s property, plant and equipment, excluding oil and gas reserves, was carried out during 1999 by independent valuers on a depreciated replacement cost basis. As at September 30, 2003, a revaluation of the Group’s refining and chemical production equipment was undertaken by a firm of independent valuers, China United Assets Appraiser Co., Ltd., in the PRC on a depreciated replacement cost basis. The revaluation surplus net of applicable deferred income taxes was credited to reserves in shareholders’ equity.
 
As at March 31, 2006, a revaluation of the Group’s oil and gas properties was undertaken by independent valuers, China United Assets Appraiser Co., Ltd and China Enterprise Appraisals, on a depreciated replacement cost basis. The revaluation did not result in significant differences from their carrying values.

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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
18  INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY AFFILIATES AND JOINTLY CONTROLLED ENTITIES
 
The summarized financial information of the Group’s principal equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities, including the aggregated amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, income/(loss) and the interest held by the Group were as follows:
 
                                                     
                    Net Income/
  Interest
   
    Country of
  Assets
  Liabilities
  Revenues
  (Loss)
  Held
  Type of
Name
  Incorporation   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   %   Share
 
As of or for the year ended December 31, 2008:
                                                   
Dalian West Pacific Petrochemical Co., Ltd. 
  PRC     10,433       13,182       41,643       (5,660 )     28.44       ordinary  
China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co., Ltd. 
  PRC     6,619       3,972       43,037       392       50.00       ordinary  
As of or for the year ended December 31, 2007:
                                                   
Dalian West Pacific Petrochemical Co., Ltd. 
  PRC     14,233       10,890       35,575       610       28.44       ordinary  
China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co., Ltd. 
  PRC     6,254       4,012       34,060       274       50.00       ordinary  
PetroKazakhstan Inc.(i)
  Canada                 18,450       6,902       67.00       ordinary  
 
 
(i) Through a supplementary agreement between the Group and the minority shareholder of PetroKazakhstan Inc. (first acquired by the Group on December 28, 2006 and accounted for using the equity method of accounting up to December 11, 2007), the Group gained control over PetroKazakhstan Inc. from December 12, 2007. Therefore, as of the date it acquired control over PetroKazakhstan Inc., the Group now accounts for its investment in PetroKazakhstan Inc. as a subsidiary in accordance with IFRS 3, ‘Business combinations’.
 
Dividends received and receivable from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities were RMB954, RMB990 and RMB3,886 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Investments in equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities of RMB59, RMB833 and RMB36 were disposed of for gains of RMB10 and RMB320 and for a loss of RMB3 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
19  AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Available-for-sale financial assets
    3,186       2,481  
Less: Impairment losses
    (487 )     (459 )
                 
      2,699       2,022  
                 
 
Available-for-sale financial assets comprise principally unlisted equity securities.
 
Available-for-sale financial assets of RMB1, RMB145 and RMB74 were disposed of, resulting in the realization of gains of RMB3 and RMB142 and RMB5 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
20  ADVANCE OPERATING LEASE PAYMENTS
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Land use rights
    14,411       16,887  
Advance lease payments
    9,023       9,314  
                 
      23,434       26,201  
                 
 
Land use rights have terms up to 50 years. Advance lease payments are principally for use of land sub-leased from entities other than the PRC land authorities. These advance operating lease payments are amortized over the related lease terms using the straight-line method.
 
21  INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS
 
                                                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
        Accumulated
          Accumulated
   
    Cost   amortization   Net   Cost   amortization   Net
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Patents
    2,801       (1,523 )     1,278       3,071       (1,729 )     1,342  
Technical know-how
    288       (131 )     157       372       (174 )     198  
Other
    5,391       (1,360 )     4,031       7,093       (2,108 )     4,985  
                                                 
Intangible assets
    8,480       (3,014 )     5,466       10,536       (4,011 )     6,525  
                                                 
Other assets
                    3,022                       4,152  
                                                 
                      8,488                       10,677  
                                                 
 
Patents principally represent expenditure incurred in acquiring processes and techniques that are generally protected by the relevant government authorities. Technical know-how are amounts attributable to operational technology acquired in connection with the purchase of equipment. The costs of technical know-how are included as part of the purchase price and are separately distinguishable from the other assets acquired.
 
Amortization on intangible and other assets amounted to RMB1,405, RMB1,503 and RMB1,884 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Research and development expenses amounted to RMB4,260, RMB5,315 and RMB7,760 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
22  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Trade payables
    40,567       29,431  
Advances from customers
    9,846       10,800  
Salaries and welfare payable
    11,585       6,363  
Accrued expenses
    5       13  
Dividends payable by subsidiaries to minority shareholders
    67       61  
Interest payable
    65       82  
Construction fee and equipment cost payables
    30,784       46,310  
One-time employee housing remedial payment payable
    221       6  
Other payables
    11,228       15,428  
Amounts due to related parties
    41,025       47,896  
                 
      145,393       156,390  
                 
 
Other payables consist primarily of customer deposits.
 
Amounts due to related parties are interest-free, unsecured and with no fixed terms of repayment (Note 32).
 
The aging analysis of trade payables at December 31, 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Within 1 year
    39,125       27,878  
Between 1 to 2 years
    819       843  
Between 2 to 3 years
    307       243  
Over 3 years
    316       467  
                 
      40,567       29,431  
                 
 
23  DEBTS
 
(a)  Short-term debts
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Bank loans
               
— secured
    320       1,500  
— unsecured
    18,363       24,970  
Loans from CNPC and a fellow CNPC subsidiary
    50       60,746  
Other
    1       1  
                 
      18,734       87,217  
Current portion of long-term debts
    12,200       5,544  
                 
      30,934       92,761  
                 


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Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
(b)  Long-term debts
 
                     
        At December 31,
   
Interest rates and final maturities
  2007   2008
        RMB   RMB
 
Renminbi — denominated debts:
                   
Bank loans for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Floating interest rate at 7.05% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2010     6,720       200  
Bank loans for working capital
  Floating interest rates ranging from 5.67% to 6.20% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2012     6,030       6,030  
Loans from CNPC and a fellow CNPC subsidiary for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Floating interest rates ranging from 5.04% to 6.26% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2032     19,862       16,181  
Working capital loans from fellow CNPC subsidiaries
  Majority floating interest rate at 5.83% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2011     70       456  
Working capital loans
  Fixed interest rate at 6.32% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with no fixed repayment terms     5       5  
Corporate debenture for the development of oil and gas properties
  Fixed interest rates ranging from 3.76% to 4.11% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2013     3,500       3,500  
US Dollar — denominated debts:
                   
Bank loans for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Fixed interest rates ranging from zero to 8.66% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2038     403       278  
Bank loans for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Floating interest rates ranging from LIBOR plus 0.50% to LIBOR plus 3.00% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2014     4,927       3,825  
Bank loans for working capital
  Floating interest rates ranging from LIBOR plus 0.30% to LIBOR plus 0.40% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2010     2,630       2,392  
Bank loans for acquisition of overseas oil and gas properties
  Floating interest rate at LIBOR plus 0.55% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2009     821        


F-30


Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                     
        At December 31,
   
Interest rates and final maturities
  2007   2008
        RMB   RMB
 
Loans from a fellow CNPC subsidiary for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Floating interest rate at LIBOR plus 0.40% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2020     4,171       2,691  
Loans from a fellow CNPC subsidiary for working capital
  Floating interest rate at 8.00% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2015     329       851  
Loans for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Fixed interest rate at 1.55% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2022     404       352  
Loans for working capital
  Floating interest rates ranging from 3.89% to 5.00% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with no fixed repayment terms     609       569  
Corporate debenture for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Fixed interest rate at 3.00% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2019     335       301  
Corporate debenture for the development of oil and gas properties
  Fixed interest rate at 9.50% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2011     730       513  
Corporate debenture for the development of oil and gas properties
  Fixed interest rate at 15.00% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2008     58        
Japanese Yen — denominated debts:
                   
Bank loans for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Fixed interest rates at 2.42% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2010     37       20  
Euro — denominated debts:
                   
Bank loans for the development of oil fields and construction of refining plants
  Fixed interest rates ranging from 2.00% to 2.30% per annum as of December 31, 2008, with maturities through 2023     247       207  
                     
Total long-term debts
    51,888       38,371  
                 
Less: Current portion of long-term debts
    (12,200 )     (5,544 )
                 
          39,688       32,827  
                     
 
For loans denominated in RMB with floating interest rates, the interest rates are re-set annually on the respective anniversary dates based on interest rates announced by the People’s Bank of China. For loans

F-31


Table of Contents

 
PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
denominated in currencies other than RMB with floating interest rates, the interest rates are re-set quarterly or semi-annually as stipulated in the respective agreements. Other loans represent loans from independent third parties other than banks. Interest free loans amounted to RMB60 and RMB53 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Debts of RMB498 and RMB941 were guaranteed by CNPC and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and 2008, and debts of RMB30 and RMB Nil were guaranteed by the Company and third parities at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Group’s debts include secured liabilities (bank loans) totalling RMB3,607 and RMB2,867 at December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively. These bank debts are secured over certain of the Group’s notes receivable, inventories, intangible assets and time deposits with maturities over one year.
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Total debts:
               
— interest free
    60       53  
— at fixed rates
    11,940       84,236  
— at floating rates
    58,622       41,299  
                 
      70,622       125,588  
                 
Weighted average effective interest rates:
               
— bank loans
    5.54 %     4.14 %
— loans from CNPC and a fellow CNPC subsidiary
    5.17 %     4.32 %
— other loans
    3.64 %     3.05 %
— corporate debentures
    4.87 %     4.51 %
 
The carrying amounts and fair values of long-term debts are as follows:
 
                 
    Carrying Amounts
    at December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Bank loans
    21,815       12,952  
Loans from CNPC and a fellow CNPC subsidiary
    24,432       20,179  
Corporate debentures
    4,623       4,314  
Other
    1,018       926  
                 
      51,888       38,371  
                 
 
                 
    Fair Values
    at December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Bank loans
    21,580       12,754  
Loans from CNPC and a fellow CNPC subsidiary
    24,428       20,179  
Corporate debentures
    4,104       4,020  
Other
    883       798  
                 
      50,995       37,751  
                 


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The fair values are based on discounted cash flows using applicable discount rates based upon the prevailing market rates of interest available to the Group for financial instruments with substantially the same terms and characteristics at the balance sheet dates. Such discount rates ranged from 0.81% to 7.71% and ranged from 1.47% to 7.41% per annum as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively depending on the type of the debts. The carrying amounts of short-term debts approximate their fair value.
 
Maturities of long-term debts at the dates indicated below are as follows:
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
First year
    12,200       5,544  
Second year
    5,754       15,417  
Third year
    14,065       5,304  
Fourth year
    2,325       321  
Fifth year
    3,508       1,807  
Thereafter
    14,036       9,978  
                 
      51,888       38,371  
                 
 
24  ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
At beginning of the year
    14,187       18,481       24,761  
Liabilities incurred
    3,589       4,818       10,033  
Consolidation of PetroKazakhstan Inc. 
          385        
Liabilities settled
    (105 )     (110 )     (169 )
Accretion expense (Note 8)
    796       1,202       1,746  
Currency translation differences
    14       (15 )     (109 )
                         
At end of the year
    18,481       24,761       36,262  
                         
 
Asset retirement obligations are in relation to oil and gas properties (Note 17).
 
The Group does not have any assets that are legally restricted for purposes of setting asset retirement obligations.
 
25  DEFERRED TAX
 
Deferred tax is calculated on temporary differences under the liability method using a principal tax rate of 33% at December 31, 2006 and 25% at December 31, 2007 and 2008.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The movements in the deferred tax account are as follows:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
At beginning of the year
    21,217       19,978       20,569  
Transfer to income statement (Note 9)
    (1,237 )     806       (8,215 )
Credit/(charge) directly to equity
          87       (67 )
Consolidation of PetroKazakhstan Inc. 
          (174 )      
Currency translation differences
    (2 )     (128 )     (364 )
Others
                41  
                         
At end of the year
    19,978       20,569       11,964  
                         
 
Deferred tax balances before offset are attributable to the following items:
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Deferred tax assets
               
Current
               
Provisions, primarily for receivables and inventories
    5,391       9,164  
Tax losses of subsidiaries
    95       294  
Non-current
               
Shut down of manufacturing assets and impairment of long-term assets
    3,172       4,580  
Other
    1,702       885  
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    10,360       14,923  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Current
               
Non-current
               
Accelerated tax depreciation
    30,445       24,607  
Other
    484       2,280  
                 
Total deferred tax liabilities
    30,929       26,887  
                 
Net deferred tax liabilities
    20,569       11,964  
                 
 
Deferred tax balances after offset are listed as below:
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Deferred tax assets:
    305       496  
Deferred tax liabilities:
    20,874       12,460  
                 
      20,569       11,964  
                 
 
There were no material unrecognized tax losses at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
26  SHARE CAPITAL
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Registered, issued and fully paid:
               
A shares
    161,922       161,922  
H shares
    21,099       21,099  
                 
      183,021       183,021  
                 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
Number of Shares of the Company (Millions)   2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Beginning balance
    179,021       179,021       183,021  
Issuance of shares
          4,000        
                         
Ending balance
    179,021       183,021       183,021  
                         
 
In accordance with the Restructuring Agreement between CNPC and the Company effective as of November 5, 1999, the Company issued 160 billion state-owned shares in exchange for the assets and liabilities transferred to the Company by CNPC. The 160 billion state-owned shares were the initial registered capital of the Company with a par value of RMB1.00 yuan per share.
 
On April 7, 2000, the Company issued 17,582,418,000 shares, represented by 13,447,897,000 H shares and 41,345,210 ADSs (each representing 100 H shares) in a global initial public offering (“Global Offering”) and the trading of the H shares and the ADSs on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the New York Stock Exchange commenced on April 7, 2000 and April 6, 2000, respectively. The H shares and ADSs were issued at prices of HK$1.28 per H share and US$16.44 per ADS respectively for which the net proceeds to the Company were approximately RMB20 billion. The shares issued pursuant to the Global Offering rank equally with existing shares.
 
Pursuant to the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, 1,758,242,000 state-owned shares of the Company owned by CNPC were converted into H shares for sale in the Global Offering.
 
In September 2005, the Company issued 3,196,801,818 new H shares at HK$6.00 per share and net proceeds to the Company amounted to approximately RMB19,692. CNPC also sold 319,680,182 state-owned shares it held concurrently with PetroChina’s sale of new H shares in September 2005.
 
On November 5, 2007, the Company issued 4,000,000,000 new A shares at RMB16.70 yuan per share and net proceeds to the Company amounted to approximately RMB66,243 and the listing and trading of the A shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange commenced on November 5, 2007.
 
Following the issuance of the A shares, all the existing state-owned shares issued before November 5, 2007 held by CNPC have been registered with the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited as A shares.
 
Shareholders’ rights are governed by the Company Law of the PRC that requires an increase in registered capital to be approved by the shareholders in shareholders’ general meetings and the relevant PRC regulatory authorities.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
27  RESERVES
 
                 
    Year Ended December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Revaluation Reserve
               
Beginning balance
    79,946       79,946  
                 
Ending balance
    79,946       79,946  
Capital Reserve
               
Beginning balance
    (8,881 )     53,362  
Issuance of shares (Note 26)
    66,243        
                 
Ending balance
    53,362       53,362  
Statutory Common Reserve Fund (note a)
               
Beginning balance
    89,928       102,696  
Transfer from retained earnings
    12,768       12,770  
                 
Ending balance
    102,696       115,466  
Special Reserve-Safety Fund Reserve
               
Beginning balance
          3,536  
Transfer from retained earnings
    3,536       3,214  
                 
Ending balance
    3,536       6,750  
Currency translation differences
               
Beginning balance
    (607 )     (1,545 )
Currency translation differences
    (938 )     (1,172 )
                 
Ending balance
    (1,545 )     (2,717 )
Other reserves
               
Beginning balance
    (16,834 )     (16,591 )
Purchase from minority interest in subsidiaries
    (113 )     (17 )
Acquisition of Sun World Limited
          (6,693 )
Capital reduction of a subsidiary
          (61 )
Fair value gain/(loss) of available-for-sale financial assets
    286       (237 )
Other
    70       9  
                 
Ending balance
    (16,591 )     (23,590 )
                 
      221,404       229,217  
                 
 
 
(a) Pursuant to the PRC regulations and the Company’s Articles of Association, the Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income, as determined under the PRC accounting regulations, to a Statutory Common Reserve Fund (“Reserve Fund”). Appropriation to the Reserve Fund may cease when the fund aggregates to 50% of the Company’s registered capital. The transfer to this reserve must be made before distribution of dividends to shareholders.
 
The Reserve Fund shall only be used to make good previous years’ losses, to expand the Company’s production operations, or to increase the capital of the Company. Upon approval of a resolution of shareholders’ in a general meeting, the Company may convert its Reserve Fund into share capital and issue bonus shares to


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
existing shareholders in proportion to their original shareholdings or to increase the nominal value of each share currently held by them, provided that the balance of the Reserve Fund after such issuance is not less than 25% of the Company’s registered capital.
 
(b) According to the relevant PRC regulations, the distributable reserve is the lower of the retained earnings computed under PRC accounting regulations and IFRS. As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, the Company’s distributable reserve amounted to RMB257,086 and RMB316,708 which was computed under PRC accounting regulations, respectively.
 
28  PENSIONS
 
The Group participates in various employee retirement benefit plans (Note 3(u)). Expenses incurred by the Group in connection with the retirement benefit plans for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 amounted to RMB4,652, RMB5,754 and RMB6,997, respectively.
 
29  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
(a)  Bank and other guarantees
 
Debts of equity affiliates of RMB77 and RMB43 from China Petroleum Finance Company Limited (“CP Finance”, a subsidiary of CNPC) were guaranteed by the Group for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2008. The Group had contingent liabilities in respect of the guarantees from which it is anticipated that no material liabilities will arise.
 
(b)  Environmental liabilities
 
China has adopted extensive environmental laws and regulations that affect the operation of the oil and gas industry. Under existing legislation, however, management believes that there are no probable liabilities, except for the amounts which have already been reflected in the consolidated financial statements, which may have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Group.
 
(c)  Legal contingencies
 
Notwithstanding certain insignificant lawsuits as well as other proceeds outstanding, management believes that any resulting liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Group.          
 
(d)  Leasing of roads, land and buildings
 
As at December 31, 2008, CNPC is still in the process of completing the process of obtaining the formal land use right certificates, necessary governmental procedures for the requisition of collectively-owned land on which gas stations are located and building ownership certificates for buildings transferred to the Group under the Restructuring Agreement entered into between the Company and CNPC in 2000.
 
Management confirms that the use of and the conduct of relevant activities at the above-mentioned parcels of land, service stations and buildings are not affected by the fact that the certain relevant land use right certificates or individual building ownership certificates have not been obtained to date or the fact that the relevant governmental procedures have not been completed. In management’s opinion, the outcome of the above events will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Group.
 
(e)  Group insurance
 
The Group has insurance coverage for vehicles and certain assets subject to significant operating risks but does not carry any other insurance for property, facilities or equipment with respect to its business operations.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
In addition, the Group does not carry any third-party liability insurance against claims relating to personal injury, property and environmental damages or business interruption insurance as such insurance coverage is not customary in China.
 
The potential effect of resultant losses arising from future incidents on the financial position of the Group cannot be estimated at present.
 
30  COMMITMENTS
 
(a)  Operating lease commitments
 
Operating lease commitments of the Group are mainly for leasing of land and buildings and equipment. Leases range from one to 50 years and usually do not contain renewal options. Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
No later than 1 year
    3,397       3,634  
Later than 1 year and no later than 5 years
    11,978       12,492  
Later than 5 years
    79,026       78,970  
                 
      94,401       95,096  
                 
 
Operating lease expenses for land and buildings and equipment were RMB5,381, RMB7,443 and RMB6,817 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
(b)  Capital commitments
 
The Group’s capital commitments contracted but not provided for were RMB12,368 and RMB22,719 as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
(c)  Exploration and production licenses
 
The Company is obligated to make annual payments with respect to its exploration and production licenses to the Ministry of Land and Resources. Payments incurred were approximately RMB683, RMB676 and RMB944 for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Estimated annual payments for the next five years are as follows:
 
         
    RMB
 
2009
    1,000  
2010
    1,000  
2011
    1,000  
2012
    1,000  
2013
    1,000  


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
31  MAJOR CUSTOMERS
 
The Group’s major customers are as follows:
 
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007        
        Percentage
      Percentage
  2008
        of total
      of total
      % to Total
    Revenue   revenue   Revenue   revenue   Revenue   revenue
    RMB   %   RMB   %   RMB   %
 
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    44,028       6       50,292       6       57,594       5  
CNPC and its subsidiaries
    27,714       4       31,325       4       46,645       4  
                                                 
      71,742       10       81,617       10       104,239       9  
                                                 
 
32  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
CNPC, the immediate parent of the Company, is a state-controlled enterprise directly controlled by the PRC government. The PRC government is the Company’s ultimate controlling party. State-controlled enterprises and their subsidiaries, in addition to CNPC Group companies, directly or indirectly controlled by the PRC government are also related parties of the Group. Neither CNPC nor the PRC government publishes financial statements available for public use.
 
The Group has extensive transactions with other companies of the CNPC Group. Due to these relationships relationship, it is possible that the terms of the transactions between the Group and other members of the CNPC Group are not the same as those that would result from transactions with other related parties or wholly unrelated parties.
 
The Company and CNPC entered into a Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement on March 10, 2000 for a range of products and services which may be required and requested by either party; a Land Use Rights Leasing Contract under which CNPC leases 42,476 parcels of land located throughout the PRC to the Company; and a Buildings Leasing Contract under which CNPC leases 191 buildings located throughout the PRC to the Company.
 
The terms of the current Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement were amended in 2005 and the agreement was effective through December 31, 2008. The products and services to be provided by the CNPC Group to the Company under the Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement include construction and technical services, production services, supply of material services, social services, ancillary services and financial services. The products and services are provided in accordance with (1) state-prescribed prices; or (2) where there is no state-prescribed price, relevant market prices; or (3) where neither (1) nor (2) is applicable, actual cost incurred; or the agreed contractual price, being the actual cost plus a margin of not more than 15% for certain construction and technical services, and 3% for all other types of services.
 
In order to comply with the continuing Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Rules and the Shanghai Stock Exchange Listing Rules, on the basis of the existing Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement, the Company and CNPC entered into a new Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement on 27 August 2008 for a period of three years which took effect on 1 January 2009. The new Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement has already incorporated the terms of the current Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement which was amended in 2005.
 
The Land Use Rights Leasing Contract provides for the lease of an aggregate area of approximately 1,145 million square meters of land located throughout the PRC to business units of the Group for a term of


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
50 years at an annual fee of RMB2,000. The total fee payable for the lease of all such property may, after every 10 years, be adjusted by agreement between the Company and CNPC.
 
Under the Buildings Leasing Contract, 191 buildings covering an aggregate area of 269,770 square meters located throughout the PRC are leased at an aggregate annual fee of RMB39 for a term of 20 years. The Company also entered into a Supplemental Buildings Leasing Agreement with CNPC in September 2002 to lease an additional 404 buildings covering approximately 442,730 square meters at an annual rental of RMB157. The Supplemental Buildings Leasing Agreement will expire at the same time as the Buildings Leasing Agreement.
 
In addition to the related party information shown elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements, the following is a summary of significant related party transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business between the Group and its related parties during the years presented and balances arising from related party transactions at the end of the years indicated below:
 
(a)  Bank deposits
 
                     
        At December 31,
    Note   2007   2008
        RMB   RMB
 
Bank deposits
                   
CP Finance
  (i)     8,393       8,424  
State-controlled banks and other financial institutions
        67,741       26,526  
                     
          76,134       34,950  
                     
 
                             
        Year Ended December 31,
    Note   2006   2007   2008
        RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Interest income from bank deposits
                           
CP Finance
  (i)     81       159       114  
State-controlled banks and other financial institutions
        1,819       1,042       1,181  
                             
          1,900       1,201       1,295  
                             
 
 
(i) CP Finance is a subsidiary of CNPC and a non-bank financial institution established with the approval from the People’s Bank of China. The deposits yield interest at prevailing saving deposit rates.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
 
(b)  Sales of goods and services
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Sales of goods
                       
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
                       
— Crude Oil
    5,023       2,374        
— Refined Products
    19,779       18,628       14,194  
— Chemical Products
    90       753       175  
CNPC and its subsidiaries
                       
— Crude Oil
    1,546       1,766       6,163  
— Refined Products
    16,847       16,806       18,514  
— Chemical Products
    5,691       7,161       10,216  
— Natural Gas
    1,346       1,835       2,051  
— Other
    277       339       401  
Other state-controlled enterprises
                       
— Crude Oil
    39,632       47,597       56,551  
— Refined Products
    68,370       58,903       87,806  
— Chemical Products
    8,979       10,849       5,564  
— Natural Gas
    7,713       9,882       12,830  
                         
      175,293       176,893       214,465  
                         
 
Sales of goods to related parties are conducted at market prices.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Sales of services
                       
CNPC and its subsidiaries
    2,007       3,418       9,300  
Other state-controlled enterprises
    7,761       8,497       4,148  
                         
      9,768       11,915       13,448  
                         
 
Sales of services principally represent the provision of the services in connection with the transportation of crude oil and natural gas at market prices.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
(c)  Purchases of goods and services
 
                             
        Year Ended December 31,
    Notes   2006   2007   2008
        RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Purchases of goods
  (i)                        
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
        9,868       29,239       8,284  
Other state-controlled enterprises
        50,995       58,726       52,028  
Purchases of services
                           
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
        126       136       128  
CNPC and its subsidiaries
                           
— Fees paid for construction and technical services
  (ii)                        
— exploration and development services
  (iii)     51,441       61,110       59,451  
— other construction and technical services
  (iv)     32,256       37,063       64,742  
— Fees for production services
  (v)     29,963       35,958       65,471  
— Social services charges
  (vi)     2,301       2,229       2,440  
— Ancillary services charges
  (vii)     2,458       2,635       2,587  
— Commission expense and other charges
  (viii)     1,241       1,178       1,350  
Other state-controlled enterprises
  (ix)     7,703       3,546       8,896  
                             
          188,352       231,820       265,377  
                             
 
 
(i) Purchases of goods principally represent the purchases of raw materials, spare parts and low cost consumables at market prices.
 
(ii) Under the Comprehensive Products and Services Agreement entered into between CNPC and the Company, certain construction and technical services provided by CNPC are charged at actual cost plus a margin of not more than 15%, including exploration and development services and oilfield construction services.
 
(iii) Direct costs for exploration and development services comprise geophysical survey, drilling, well cementing, logging and well testing, etc.
 
(iv) The fees paid for other construction and technical services comprise fees for construction of refineries and chemical plants and technical services in connection with oil and gas exploration and production activities such as oilfield construction, technology research, engineering and design, etc.
 
(v) The fees paid for production services comprise fees for the repair of machinery, supply of water, electricity and gas at the state-prescribed prices, provision of services such as communications, transportation, fire fighting, asset leasing, environmental protection and sanitation, maintenance of roads, manufacture of replacement parts and machinery etc. are at cost or market prices.
 
(vi) These represent expenditures for social welfare and support services which are charged at cost.
 
(vii) Ancillary service charges represent mainly fees for property management, the provision of training centers, guesthouses, canteens, public shower rooms, etc., at market prices.
 
(viii) CNPC purchases materials on behalf of the Company and charges commission thereon. The commission is calculated at rates ranging from 1% to 5% of the goods purchased.
 
(ix) Purchases of services from other state-controlled enterprises principally represent the purchases of construction and technical services at market prices.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
 
(d)  Purchases of assets
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Purchases of assets
                       
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    2              
CNPC and its subsidiaries
    1,795       2,395       3,576  
Other state-controlled enterprises
    6,617       5,840       2,513  
                         
      8,414       8,235       6,089  
                         
 
Purchases of assets principally represent the purchases of manufacturing equipment, office equipment, and transportation equipment, etc., at market prices.
 
(e)  Year-end balances arising from sales/purchases of goods/services/assets
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Accounts receivable from related parties at the end of the year
               
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    296       12  
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    3,796       4,870  
Other state-controlled enterprises
    1,910       1,512  
                 
      6,002       6,394  
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
               
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    (189 )     (145 )
Other state-controlled enterprises
    (708 )     (692 )
                 
      (897 )     (837 )
                 
      5,105       5,557  
                 
Prepayments and other receivables from related parties at the end of the year
               
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    2,412       1,077  
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    10,365       14,877  
Other state-controlled enterprises
    6,809       1,789  
                 
      19,586       17,743  
Less: Allowance for doubtful receivables
               
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    (39 )     (129 )
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    (22 )     (9 )
Other state-controlled enterprises
    (79 )     (106 )
                 
      (140 )     (244 )
                 
      19,446       17,499  
                 


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities to related parties at the end of the year
               
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    117       245  
Parent (CNPC)
    922       963  
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    32,845       40,913  
Other state-controlled enterprises
    7,141       5,775  
                 
      41,025       47,896  
                 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Net changes in allowance for doubtful accounts receivable from related parties charged/(credited) to the consolidated statements of income
                       
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    5       (5 )      
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    (11 )     (32 )     (11 )
Other state-controlled enterprises
    (52 )           (2 )
                         
      (58 )     (37 )     (13 )
                         
Net changes in allowance for doubtful receivables from related parties charged/(credited) to the consolidated statements of income
                       
Equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    (20 )     (173 )     96  
Fellow subsidiaries (CNPC Group)
    (32 )     18        
Other state-controlled enterprises
    12       (218 )     27  
                         
      (40 )     (373 )     123  
                         

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
(f)  Leases
 
                             
        Year Ended December 31,
    Notes   2006   2007   2008
        RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Advance operating lease payments paid to related parties
  (i)                        
Other state-controlled enterprises
        49       88       24  
                             
          49       88       24  
                             
Other operating lease payments paid to related parties
                           
Parent (CNPC)
  (ii)     2,276       2,292       2,376  
Other state-controlled enterprises
        16       21        
                             
          2,292       2,313       2,376  
                             
 
 
(i) Advance operating lease payments principally represent the advance payments for the long-term operating lease of land and gas stations at prices prescribed by local governments or market prices.
 
(ii) Other operating lease payments to CNPC principally represent the rental paid for the operating lease of land and buildings at the prices prescribed in the Land Use Rights Leasing Contract, the Buildings Leasing Contract and Supplemental Buildings Leasing Agreement with CNPC.
 
                 
    At December 31,
    2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Operating lease payable to related parties
               
Parent (CNPC)
    16       10  
                 
      16       10  
                 
 
(g)  Loans
 
                 
    Year Ended December 31,
Loans to Related Parties   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB
 
Loans to equity affiliates:
               
Beginning of the year
    1,800       1,853  
Loans advanced during year
    366       158  
Loans repaid
    (322 )     (1,759 )
Interest charged
    129       8  
Interest received
    (120 )     (6 )
                 
End of the year
    1,853       254  
                 
 
Loans to equity affiliates are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets (see Note 16).
 
The loans to related parties are mainly with interest rates ranging from 5.20% to 8.60% and 4.19% to 4.43% per annum as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                     
        Year Ended December 31,
Loans from related parties   Notes   2007   2008
        RMB   RMB
 
Loans from CNPC and a fellow CNPC subsidiary:
  (i)                
Beginning of the year
        27,184       24,493  
Loans received during year
        7,238       85,766  
Loans repaid
        (9,575 )     (28,904 )
Interest charged
        1,377       1,640  
Interest paid
        (1,388 )     (1,623 )
Currency translation differences
        (343 )     (419 )
                     
End of the year
        24,493       80,953  
                     
Loans from state-controlled banks and other financial institutions:
  (ii)                
Beginning of the year
        32,810       34,263  
Loans received during year
        38,320       47,204  
Loans repaid
        (36,335 )     (51,042 )
Interest charged
        1,869       1,543  
Interest paid
        (1,875 )     (1,549 )
Currency translation differences
        (526 )     (729 )
                     
End of the year
        34,263       29,690  
                     
Loans from other related parties:
  (iii)                
Beginning of the year
        5       5  
Loans received during year
               
Loans repaid
               
Interest charged
               
Interest paid
               
Currency translation differences
               
                     
End of the year
        5       5  
                     
 
 
(i) The loans from CNPC and fellow CNPC subsidiaries are mainly with interest rates ranging from 4.46% to 7.47% and 1.94% to 8.00% per annum as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively with maturities through 2032.
 
(ii) The loans from state-controlled banks and other financial institutions are mainly with interest rates ranging from zero to 8.66% and zero to 8.66% per annum as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively with maturities through 2038.
 
(iii) The loans from other related parties are mainly with interest rate at 6.32% and 6.32% per annum as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively, and with no fixed repayment terms.
 
Guaranteed loans amounted to RMB528 and RMB941 at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Debts of RMB407 are from non-related parties, long-term and guaranteed by CNPC and debts of RMB534 are from related parties and guaranteed by CNPC and its subsidiaries.
 
Information on loans from related parties are included in Note 23.

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
(h)  Key management compensation
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000
 
Emoluments and other benefits
    7,857       10,273       10,581  
Contribution to retirement benefit scheme
    298       345       444  
                         
      8,155       10,618       11,025  
                         
 
(i)  Contingent liabilities
 
The Group disclosed in Note 29 its contingent liabilities arising from the guarantees made on behalf of related parties.
 
(j)  Collateral for debts
 
The Group pledged time deposits with maturities over one year and notes receivable as collateral with certain banks for the debts of subsidiaries and equity affiliates.
 
As at December 31, 2007 and 2008, the time deposits with maturities over one year of USD 690 million and USD 366 million , were secured for the debts of subsidiaries of USD 450 million and USD 200 million and for the debts of equity affiliates of USD 240 million and USD 166 million respectively.
 
As at December 31, 2007 and 2008, notes receivable of RMB 300 and RMB1,480 were secured for debts of subsidiaries of RMB 300 and RMB1,480, respectively.
 
33  EMOLUMENTS OF DIRECTORS AND SUPERVISORS
 
Details of the emoluments of directors and supervisors for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
 
                                                 
    2008   2007   2008
    Fee for
  Salaries,
               
    Directors
  Allowances
  Contribution
           
    and
  and Other
  to Retirement
           
Name
  Supervisors   Benefits   Benefit Scheme   Total   Total   Total
    RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000
 
Chairman:
                                               
Mr. Chen Geng(ii)
                            598       797  
Mr. Jiang Jiemin
                            916       722  
                                                 
                              1,514       1,519  
                                                 
Vice Chairman:
                                               
Mr. Zhou Jiping
          495       20       515              
Executive directors:
                                               
Mr. Su Shulin(i)
                                  684  
Mr. Duan Wende(iv)
          353       13       366       824       684  
Mr. Liao Yongyuan
          836       33       869              
                                                 
            1,189       46       1,235       824       1,368  
                                                 


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                                                 
    2008   2007   2008
    Fee for
  Salaries,
               
    Directors
  Allowances
  Contribution
           
    and
  and Other
  to Retirement
           
Name
  Supervisors   Benefits   Benefit Scheme   Total   Total   Total
    RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000   RMB’000
 
Non-executive directors:
                                               
Mr. Wang Yilin
                                   
Mr. Zeng Yukang
                                   
Mr. Wang Fucheng
                                   
Mr. Wang Guoliang
                                   
Mr. Li Xinhua
                                   
Mr. Jiang Fan
          548       21       569       499       461  
Mr. Chee-chen Tung
    249                   249       264       275  
Mr. Liu Hongru
    343                   343       349       279  
Mr. Li Yongwu (iii)
    197                   197              
Mr. Cui Junhui
    331                   331              
Mr. Franco Bernabè
    243                   243       257       259  
                                                 
      1,363       548       21       1,932       1,369       1,274  
                                                 
Supervisors:
                                               
Mr. Chen Ming
                                   
Mr. Wen Qingshan
                                   
Mr. Sun Xianfeng
                                   
Mr. Yu Yibo
                                   
Mr. Xu Fengli(ii)
                            264       459  
Mr. Wang Yawei
                                   
Mr. Qin Gang
          490       31       521       469       295  
Ms. Wang Shali
                                   
Mr. Li Yongwu(iii)
    110                   110       315       330  
Mr. Zhang Jinzhu(iv)
          193       13       206       333        
Mr. Wu Zhipan
    234                   234       319       330  
Mr. Li Yuan
    124                   124              
                                                 
      468       683       44       1,195       1,700       1,414  
                                                 
      1,831       2,915       131       4,877       5,407       5,575  
                                                 
 
 
(i) No longer a director since November 24, 2006.
 
(ii) No longer a director or supervisor since May 16, 2007.
 
(iii) Elected as an independent non-executive director in May 16, 2008 and no longer a supervisor since then.
 
(iv) No longer an executive director or a supervisor since May 16, 2008.

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
 
The emoluments of the directors and supervisors fall within the following bands (including directors and supervisors whose term expired during the year):
 
                         
    2008   2007   2006
    Number   Number   Number
 
RMB Nil-RMB 1 million
    25       20       20  
                         
 
Fees for directors and supervisors disclosed above included RMB813 thousand, RMB870 thousand and RMB1,363 thousand respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 paid to independent non-executive directors.
 
None of the directors and supervisors has waived their remuneration during the years indicated above.
 
The five highest paid individuals in the Group for each of the years indicated above were also directors or supervisors and their emoluments are reflected in the analysis shown above.
 
During 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Company did not incur any severance payment to any director for loss of office or any payment as inducement to any director to join the Company.
 
The Company adopted a share-based compensation scheme which is a share appreciation rights arrangement payable in cash to the recipients upon exercise of the rights which became effective upon the listing of the H shares of the Company on April 7, 2000. Directors, supervisors and senior executives of the Company were eligible for the scheme and the rights granted thereunder were exercisable from April 8, 2003 to April 7, 2008. The exercise price was the price of the H share as at the initial public offering, being HK$1.28 per share.
 
As at April 7, 2008 (being the expiry date of the exercise of the share appreciation rights), none of the holders of the share appreciation rights exercised their rights. The Company therefore derecognized the liability previously accrued of RMB1,400 million in the financial statements of the Group for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
34  SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
The Group is engaged in a broad range of petroleum related activities through its four major business segments: Exploration and Production, Refining and Marketing, Chemicals and Marketing and Natural Gas and Pipeline.
 
The Exploration and Production segment is engaged in the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas.
 
The Refining and Marketing segment is engaged in the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products.
 
The Chemicals and Marketing segment is engaged in the production and sale of basic and derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products.
 
The Natural Gas and Pipeline segment is engaged in the sale of natural gas and the transmission of natural gas, crude oil and refined products.
 
In addition to these four major business segments, the Other segment includes the assets, liabilities, income and expenses relating to cash management, financing activities, the corporate center, research and development, and other business services supporting the operating business segments of the Group.
 
Most assets and operations of the Group are located in the PRC, which is considered as one geographic location in an economic environment with similar risks and returns. In addition to its operations in the PRC, the Group also has overseas operations through subsidiaries engaging in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 3 — “Summary of Principal Accounting Policies”.
 
Operating segment information for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 is presented below:
 
Primary reporting format — business segments
 
                                                 
    Exploration
  Refining
  Chemicals
  Natural
       
    and
  and
  and
  Gas and
       
Year Ended December 31, 2006
  Production   Marketing   Marketing   Pipeline   Other   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Sales and other operating revenues
    425,641       543,299       82,791       38,917       1,080       1,091,728  
Less: Intersegment sales
    (342,386 )     (44,806 )     (7,983 )     (5,617 )     (424 )     (401,216 )
                                                 
Total sales and other operating revenues from external customers
    83,255       498,493       74,808       33,300       656       690,512  
                                                 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (37,692 )     (12,235 )     (6,417 )     (5,263 )     (548 )     (62,155 )
Segment result
    234,470       (5,361 )     8,208       9,470       (3,058 )     243,729  
Other costs
    (12,689 )     (23,803 )     (3,150 )     (484 )     (3,706 )     (43,832 )
                                                 
Income/(loss) from operations
    221,781       (29,164 )     5,058       8,986       (6,764 )     199,897  
                                                 
Finance costs
                                            (853 )
Income from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    1,318       333       38       1       16       1,706  
                                                 
Income before income taxes
                                            200,750  
Income taxes
                                            (50,602 )
                                                 
Income for the year
                                            150,148  
                                                 
Interest income
    4,935       1,471       634       157       7,171       14,368  
Less: Intersegment interest income
                                            (12,220 )
                                                 
Interest income from external entities
                                            2,148  
                                                 
Interest expense
    (5,096 )     (3,790 )     (679 )     (1,614 )     (4,314 )     (15,493 )
Less: Intersegment interest expense
                                            12,220  
                                                 
Interest expense to external entities
                                            (3,273 )
                                                 
Segment assets
    491,161       246,828       79,964       75,432       638,616       1,532,001  
Elimination of intersegment balances
                                            (686,285 )
Investments in equity affiliates and jointly controlled entity
    26,996       5,587       153       20       69       32,825  
                                                 
Total assets
                                            878,541  
                                                 


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                                                 
    Exploration
  Refining
  Chemicals
  Natural
       
    and
  and
  and
  Gas and
       
Year Ended December 31, 2006
  Production   Marketing   Marketing   Pipeline   Other   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Segment capital expenditure — for property, plant and equipment
    105,691       19,206       10,681       11,309       2,358       149,245  
Segment liabilities
    182,938       116,002       27,092       43,616       170,152       539,800  
Other liabilities
                                            44,023  
Elimination of intersegment balances
                                            (327,454 )
                                                 
Total liabilities
                                            256,369  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Exploration
  Refining
  Chemicals
  Natural
       
    and
  and
  and
  Gas and
       
Year Ended December 31, 2007
  Production   Marketing   Marketing   Pipeline   Other   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Sales and other operating revenues
    471,928       670,844       102,718       50,066       1,718       1,297,274  
Less: Intersegment sales
    (378,888 )     (63,766 )     (11,009 )     (6,610 )     (648 )     (460,921 )
                                                 
Total sales and other operating revenues from external customers
    93,040       607,078       91,709       43,456       1,070       836,353  
                                                 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (43,582 )     (11,196 )     (5,923 )     (5,926 )     (647 )     (67,274 )
Segment result
    221,995       9,329       13,256       13,057       (3,388 )     254,249  
Other costs
    (14,492 )     (30,009 )     (5,425 )     (562 )     (2,990 )     (53,478 )
                                                 
Income/(loss) from operations
    207,503       (20,680 )     7,831       12,495       (6,378 )     200,771  
                                                 
Finance costs
                                            (2,256 )
Income from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    5,905       477       41       2       17       6,442  
                                                 
Income before income taxes
                                            204,957  
Income taxes
                                            (49,781 )
                                                 
Income for the year
                                            155,176  
                                                 
Interest income
    7,455       2,021       804       122       8,846       19,248  
Less: Intersegment interest income
                                            (17,149 )
                                                 
Interest income from external entities
                                            2,099  
                                                 
Interest expense
    (7,501 )     (4,695 )     (901 )     (1,720 )     (5,936 )     (20,753 )
Less: Intersegment interest expense
                                            17,149  
                                                 
Interest expense to external entities
                                            (3,604 )
                                                 

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                                                 
    Exploration
  Refining
  Chemicals
  Natural
       
    and
  and
  and
  Gas and
       
Year Ended December 31, 2007
  Production   Marketing   Marketing   Pipeline   Other   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Segment assets
    556,608       274,435       94,976       80,252       819,153       1,825,424  
Elimination of intersegment balances
                                            (784,268 )
Investments in equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    21,023       4,973       138       17       68       26,219  
Other assets
                                            305  
                                                 
Total assets
                                            1,067,680  
                                                 
Segment capital expenditure — for property, plant and equipment
    135,060       26,546       8,165       11,003       1,613       182,387  
Segment liabilities
    226,676       145,263       33,389       39,790       188,774       633,892  
Other liabilities
                                            43,769  
Elimination of intersegment balances
                                            (392,081 )
                                                 
Total liabilities
                                            285,580  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Exploration
  Refining
  Chemicals
  Natural
       
    and
  and
  and
  Gas and
       
Year Ended December 31, 2008
  Production   Marketing   Marketing   Pipeline   Other   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Sales and other operating revenues
    624,909       886,472       110,850       63,315       1,418       1,686,964  
Less: Intersegment sales
    (500,522 )     (96,490 )     (11,929 )     (6,706 )     (171 )     (615,818 )
                                                 
Total sales and other operating revenues from external customers
    124,387       789,982       98,921       56,609       1,247       1,071,146  
                                                 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (58,771 )     (20,260 )     (8,407 )     (6,310 )     (855 )     (94,603 )
Segment result
    257,056       (63,684 )     3,664       16,765       (7,439 )     206,362  
Other costs
    (16,858 )     (19,286 )     (6,541 )     (708 )     (3,669 )     (47,062 )
                                                 
Income/(loss) from operations
    240,198       (82,970 )     (2,877 )     16,057       (11,108 )     159,300  
                                                 
Finance costs
                                            (1,770 )
Income from equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    4,556       (293 )     12       5       19       4,299  
                                                 
Income before income taxes
                                            161,829  
Income taxes
                                            (35,178 )
                                                 
Income for the year
                                            126,651  
                                                 

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                                                 
    Exploration
  Refining
  Chemicals
  Natural
       
    and
  and
  and
  Gas and
       
Year Ended December 31, 2008
  Production   Marketing   Marketing   Pipeline   Other   Total
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Interest income
    9,506       3,692       985       352       7,165       21,700  
Less: Intersegment interest income
                                            (19,426 )
                                                 
Interest income from external entities
                                            2,274  
                                                 
Interest expense
    (9,307 )     (7,144 )     (1,127 )     (1,540 )     (3,271 )     (22,389 )
Less: Intersegment interest expense
                                            19,426  
                                                 
Interest expense to external entities
                                            (2,963 )
                                                 
Segment assets
    660,358       394,158       111,023       121,368       973,128       2,260,035  
Elimination of intersegment balances
                                            (1,095,243 )
Investments in equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    23,946       4,757       114       20       49       28,886  
Other assets
                                            496  
                                                 
Total assets
                                            1,194,174  
                                                 
Segment capital expenditure — for property, plant and equipment
    157,031       20,274       15,319       36,848       2,742       232,214  
Segment liabilities
    262,904       185,207       34,485       53,294       334,972       870,862  
Other liabilities
                                            27,646  
Elimination of intersegment balances
                                            (551,460 )
                                                 
Total liabilities
                                            347,048  
                                                 
 
 
Note (a) — Intersegment sales are conducted principally at market prices.
 
Note (b) — Segment result is income from operations before other costs. Other costs include selling, general and administrative expenses and other incomes/(expenses), net.
 
Note (c) — Segment results for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 include impairments of property, plant and equipment (Note 17).
 
Note (d) — Other assets mainly include deferred tax assets.
 
Note (e) — Other liabilities mainly include income taxes payable, other taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities.
 
Note (f) — Elimination of intersegment balances represents elimination of intersegment accounts and investments.

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
 
Secondary reporting format — geographical segments
 
                                                                         
    Revenue   Total Assets   Capital Expenditure
Year Ended December 31,
  2006   2007   2008   2006   2007   2008   2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB   RMB
 
PRC
    665,278       807,712       1,015,160       816,973       985,426       1,095,068       142,870       172,016       221,953  
Other
    25,234       28,641       55,986       61,568       82,254       99,106       6,675       10,371       10,261  
                                                                         
      690,512       836,353       1,071,146       878,541       1,067,680       1,194,174       149,545       182,387       232,214  
                                                                         
 
35  PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES
 
The principal subsidiaries of the Group are:
 
                                     
                Attributable
   
    Country of
  Paid-Up
  Type of
  Equity
   
Company Name
 
Incorporation
  Capital  
Legal Entity
  Interest %  
Principal Activities
 
Daqing Oilfield Company Limited
    PRC       RMB47,500       Limited liability
company
      100.00     Exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas
Daqing Yu Shu Lin Oilfield Company Limited
   
PRC
     
RMB1,272
     
Limited liability
company
     
88.16
   
Exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas
CNPC Exploration and Development Company Limited
   
PRC
     
RMB16,100
     
Limited liability
company
     
50.00
   
Exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas in and outside the PRC
PetroKazakhstan Inc. (Note 18)
    Canada       US Dollar 1,265       Joint stock company
with limited liability
      67.00     Exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas outside the PRC
PetroChina Hong Kong Limited(i)
    Hong Kong       HK Dollar 7,592       Limited liability
company
      100.00     Investment holding and the principal activities of its subsidiaries, the equity affiliates and the jointly controlled entities are the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas in and outside the PRC
 
 
(i) On August 27, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the acquisition by the Company of a 100% interest in Sun World Limited (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) through its wholly owned subsidiary PetroChina Hong Kong Limited and PetroChina Hong Kong (BVI) Ltd from CNPC through its wholly owned subsidiary China Petroleum Hongkong (Holding) Limited for consideration of HK$7,592 (approximately RMB6,693) and the acquisition was completed on December 18, 2008 on which Sun World Limited directly held 2,513,917,342 shares of CNPC (Hong Kong) Limited (a company incorporated in Bermuda and the shares of which are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong), representing approximately 56.66% of the issued share capital of CNPC (Hong Kong) Limited.
 
The acquisition is a business combination under common control since the Company and Sun World Limited are under the common control of CNPC. As a result, the Company accounted for the acquisition in a manner similar to a uniting of interests, whereby the assets and liabilities acquired are accounted for at carryover predecessor values to CNPC (net assets of HK$6,038 or approximately RMB5,323 at the effective date).
 
The consolidated financial statements have been restated to give effect to the acquisition with all periods presented as if the operations of the Group and Sun World Limited have always been combined. The difference between the consideration of RMB6,693 and the net assets of Sun World Limited acquired has been adjusted against equity.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
The summarized results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 and the financial position as at December 31, 2007 for the separate entities and on a consolidation basis are set out below:
 
                         
    The Group
       
    (as previously
  Sun World
   
    reported)   Limited   Consolidated
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Results of operations of 2006:
                       
Revenue
    688,978       4,301       690,512  
Income for the year
    149,397       3,114       150,148  
Basic and diluted net income per share for income attributable to equity holders of the Company (RMB)
    0.79       0.01       0.80  
Results of operations of 2007:
                       
Revenue
    835,037       3,753       836,353  
Income for the year
    155,229       2,824       155,176  
Basic and diluted net income per share for income attributable to equity holders of the Company (RMB)
    0.81       0.01       0.82  
Financial position as at December 31, 2007:
                       
Total assets
    1,060,131       11,642       1,067,680  
Total liabilities
    283,784       1,711       285,580  
Net assets
    776,347       9,931       782,100  
 
Pursuant to the resolutions passed at the Board of Directors’s meeting held on October 26, 2005, the Company offered to acquire all of the outstanding shares from the minority shareholders of the following entities of the Group. These transactions were completed prior to December 31, 2007.
 
                             
                    Equity
   
    Number of
  Purchase
  Number of
  Total Cash
  Interest Held
   
    Outstanding
  Price per
  Shares
  Consideration
  after the
   
Entity Name
 
Shares
 
Share
 
Acquired
 
Paid
 
Acquisition%
   
 
Jinzhou PetroChemical Company Limited (“JCPL”)
 
150,000,000
A shares
 
RMB4.25 yuan
per A share
 
150,000,000
A shares as of
June 30, 2007
 
RMB638 as of
December 31,
2007
   
100.00
   
JCPL was delisted from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on January 4, 2006.
                            In November 2007, the Liaoning Administration for Industry and Commerce approved JCPL’s deregistration as an incorporated company.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
                             
                    Equity
   
    Number of
  Purchase
  Number of
  Total Cash
  Interest Held
   
    Outstanding
  Price per
  Shares
  Consideration
  after the
   
Entity Name
 
Shares
 
Share
 
Acquired
 
Paid
 
Acquisition%
   
 
Jilin Chemical Industrial Company Limited (“JCIC”)
 
200,000,000
A shares
 
RMB5.25 yuan
per A share
 
200,000,000
A shares as of
December 31,
2007
 
RMB3,862 as of
December 31,
2007
   
100.00
   
JCIC was delisted from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on February 20, 2006.
    964,778,000
H shares
(including
American
Depositary
Shares)
(“ADS”)
  HK$2.80 per
H share
  964,778,000
H shares
(including
ADS) as of
December 31,
2007
              JCIC was delisted from the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the New York Stock Exchange on January 23, 2006 and February 15, 2006, respectively.
                            In December 2007, the Jilin Administration for Industry and Commerce approved JCIC’s deregistration as an incorporated company.
Liaohe Jinma Oilfield Company Limited (“LJOCL”)
 
200,000,000
A shares
 
RMB8.80 yuan
per A share
 
200,000,000
A shares as of
June 30, 2007
 
RMB1,763 as of
December 31,
2007
   
100.00
   
LJOCL was delisted from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on January 4, 2006.
                            In May 2007, the Liaoning Administration for Industry and Commerce approved LJOCL’s deregistration as an incorporated company.
 
The excess of the cost of purchase over the carrying value of the underlying assets and liabilities of the above non-wholly owned principal subsidiaries and other non-wholly subsidiaries acquired was recorded in equity, and this amounted to RMB2,156 and RMB113 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.
 
36  GOVERNMENT GRANTS
 
Government grants amounted to RMB611, RMB1,197 and RMB16,914 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Government grants primarily comprise financial support measures provided by the PRC government to ensure supply of crude oil and refined products in the domestic market implemented from 2008.
 
37  EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE
 
On January 13, 2009, the Company issued the first tranche of its medium-term notes for the year 2009 amounting to RMB15 billion for a term of 3 years at an interest rate of 2.70% per annum.
 
On March 19, 2009, the Company issued the second tranche of its medium-term notes for the year 2009 amounting to RMB15 billion for a term of 3 years at an interest rate of 2.28% per annum.

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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
At the Annual General Meeting for the Year 2008 on May 12, 2009, the shareholders approved the granting of a general mandate to the Board of Directors to issue debt financing instruments in the aggregate principal amount of up to RMB100 billion on the terms and conditions to be determined by the Board of Directors.
 
38  APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The financial statements were approved for issuance by the Board of Directors on March 25, 2009 and approved by the Company’s shareholders at the annual general meeting held on May 12, 2009.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
In accordance with US Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 69, Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing Activities, this section provides supplemental information on oil and gas exploration and producing activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) and also the Group’s investments that are accounted for using the equity method.
 
Results of Operations
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Sales and other operating revenues
                       
Sales to third parties
    83,255       93,040       124,387  
Intersegment sales
    316,421       339,436       433,384  
                         
      399,676       432,476       557,771  
Production costs excluding taxes
    (55,563 )     (63,257 )     (74,879 )
Exploration expenses
    (18,827 )     (20,956 )     (21,879 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (32,163 )     (37,022 )     (50,827 )
Taxes other than income taxes
    (41,896 )     (56,554 )     (105,813 )
Accretion expense
    (796 )     (1,202 )     (1,746 )
                         
Income before income taxes
    250,431       253,485       302,627  
Income taxes
    (66,335 )     (58,245 )     (62,322 )
                         
Results of operations from producing activities
    184,096       195,240       240,305  
                         
Income from producing activities of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    4,402       5,244       9,872  
                         
 
Capitalized Costs
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Property costs
                 
Producing assets
    431,057       504,199       592,122  
Support facilities
    150,149       171,590       197,919  
Construction-in-progress
    25,519       43,097       59,078  
                         
Total capitalized costs
    606,725       718,886       849,119  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (237,407 )     (269,242 )     (317,233 )
                         
Net capitalized costs
    369,318       449,644       531,886  
                         
Share of net capitalized costs of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    25,043       14,191       17,237  
                         


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
Costs Incurred in Property Acquisitions, Exploration and Development Activities
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
Property acquisition costs
                 
Exploration costs
    30,975       36,420       37,668  
Development costs
    79,902       96,449       124,855  
                         
Total
    110,877       132,869       162,523  
                         
Share of costs of property acquisition, exploration, and development of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
    4,303       2,798       4,003  
                         
 
Proved Reserve Estimates
 
Oil and gas proved reserves cannot be measured exactly. Reserve estimates are based on many factors related to reservoir performance that require evaluation by the engineers interpreting the available data, as well as price and other economic factors. The reliability of these estimates at any point in time depends on both the quality and quantity of the technical and economic data, and the production performance of the reservoirs as well as engineering judgment. Consequently, reserve estimates are subject to revision as additional data become available during the producing life of a reservoir. When a commercial reservoir is discovered, proved reserves are initially determined based on limited data from the first well or wells. Subsequent data may better define the extent of the reservoir and additional production performance, well tests and engineering studies will likely improve the reliability of the reserve estimate. The evolution of technology may also result in the application of improved recovery techniques such as supplemental or enhanced recovery projects, or both, which have the potential to increase reserves.
 
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions. Proved developed reserves are those reserves, which can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Proved undeveloped reserves are those reserves which are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where relatively major expenditure is required.
 
The Ministry of Land and Resources in China issues production licenses to applicants on the basis of the reserve reports approved by relevant authorities. Administrative rules issued by the State Council provide that the maximum term of a production license is 30 years. However, in accordance with a special approval from the State Council, the Ministry of Land and Resources issued production licenses effective from March 2000 to the Group for all of its crude oil and natural gas reservoirs with terms similar to the projected productive life of those reservoirs, ranging up to 55 years. Production licenses to be issued to the Group in the future will be subject to the 30-year limit unless additional special approvals can be obtained from the State Council. Each of the Group’s production licenses is renewable upon application by the Group 30 days prior to expiration. Future oil and gas price increases may extend the productive lives of crude oil and natural gas reservoirs beyond the current terms of the relevant production licenses.
 
Proved reserve estimates as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were based on reports prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton and Gaffney, Cline & Associates, independent engineering consultants. The Group’s reserve estimates were prepared for each oil and gas field within oil and gas regions and adjusted for the estimated


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
effects of using prices and costs prevailing at the end of the period. The Company’s reserve estimates include only crude oil and natural gas, which the Company believes can be reasonably produced within the current terms of production licenses.
 
Estimated quantities of net proved oil and condensate and natural gas reserves and of changes in net quantities of proved developed and undeveloped reserves for each of the periods indicated are as follows:
 
                 
    Crude Oil and
   
    Condensate   Natural Gas
    (Millions of barrels)   (Billions of cubic feet)
 
Proved developed and undeveloped
               
Reserves at January 1, 2006
    11,536       48,123  
Changes resulting from:
               
Revisions of previous estimates
    197       686  
Improved recovery
    81        
Extensions and discoveries
    635       6,248  
Production
    (831 )     (1,588 )
                 
Reserves at December 31, 2006
    11,618       53,469  
                 
Changes resulting from:
               
Revisions of previous estimates
    84       (1,062 )
Improved recovery
    79        
Extensions and discoveries
    764       6,331  
Production
    (839 )     (1,627 )
                 
Reserves at December 31, 2007
    11,706       57,111  
                 
Changes resulting from:
               
Revisions of previous estimates(i)
    (574 )     (637 )
Improved recovery
    75        
Extensions and discoveries
    885       6,579  
Production
    (871 )     (1,864 )
                 
Reserves at December 31, 2008
    11,221       61,189  
                 
Proved developed reserves at:
               
December 31, 2006
    9,185       22,564  
December 31, 2007
    9,047       26,047  
December 31, 2008
    8,324       26,667  
Proportional interest in proved reserves of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
               
December 31, 2006
    543       105  
December 31, 2007
    141       79  
December 31, 2008
    372       65  
 
 
(i) The revision to previous estimates during the current year is mainly due to a significant change in crude oil prices used in estimating proved reserves at December 31, 2008.


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
 
At December 31, 2008, 10,576 million barrels of crude oil and condensate and 60,247 billion cubic feet of natural gas proved developed and undeveloped reserves are located within China and 645 million barrels of crude oil and condensate and 942.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas proved developed and undeveloped reserves are located overseas.
 
Standardized Measure
 
The following disclosures concerning the standardized measure of future cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves are presented in accordance with the US Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69, Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing Activities. The amounts shown are based on prices and costs at the end of each period, currently enacted tax rates and a 10 percent annual discount factor. Since prices and costs do not remain static, and no price or cost changes have been considered, the results are not necessarily indicative of the fair market value of estimated proved reserves, but they do provide a common benchmark which may enhance the users’ ability to project future cash flows.
 
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows related to proved oil and gas reserves at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
         
    RMB
 
At December 31, 2006
       
Future cash inflows from sales of oil and gas
    5,611,306  
Future production costs
    (1,620,761 )
Future development costs
    (296,175 )
Future income tax expense
    (1,202,980 )
         
Future net cash flows
    2,491,390  
Discount at 10% for estimated timing of cash flows
    (1,336,045 )
         
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
    1,155,345  
         
At December 31, 2007
       
Future cash inflows from sales of oil and gas
    8,714,483  
Future production costs
    (3,049,226 )
Future development costs
    (437,946 )
Future income tax expense
    (1,569,898 )
         
Future net cash flows
    3,657,413  
Discount at 10% for estimated timing of cash flows
    (1,835,343 )
         
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
    1,822,070  
         


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PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in millions unless otherwise stated)
 
         
    RMB
 
At December 31, 2008
       
Future cash inflows from sales of oil and gas
    4,426,893  
Future production costs
    (1,521,416 )
Future development costs
    (381,498 )
Future income tax expense
    (522,158 )
         
Future net cash flows
    2,001,821  
Discount at 10% for estimated timing of cash flows
    (1,046,896 )
         
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
    954,925  
         
Share of standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of equity affiliates and jointly controlled entities
       
At December 31, 2006
    59,825  
At December 31, 2007
    33,543  
At December 31, 2008
    17,912  
 
Future net cash flows were estimated using period-end prices and costs, and currently enacted tax rates.
 
Changes in the standardized measure of discounted net cash flows for the Group for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 are as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2006   2007   2008
    RMB   RMB   RMB
 
CHANGES IN STANDARDISED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS
                       
Beginning of the year
    1,386,194       1,155,345       1,822,070  
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net of production costs
    (328,001 )     (309,269 )     (375,269 )
Net changes in prices and production costs and other
    (317,593 )     804,330       (1,448,443 )
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery
    166,249       256,476       139,058  
Development costs incurred
    (47,551 )     (39,031 )     67,673  
Revisions of previous quantity estimates
    32,306       (3,567 )     (46,105 )
Accretion of discount
    200,771       171,389       260,643  
Net change in income taxes
    62,970       (213,603 )     535,298  
                         
End of the year
    1,155,345       1,822,070       954,925  
                         

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