The Changing Dynamics of Chinese Oil and Gas Engagements in Africa

Abstract

This chapter examines the changing patterns of Chinese state oil corporations’ engagements with African petro-states through investments in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors, and their potential for Africa’s development within the context of evolving China–Africa relations. It conceptually frames such relations, analyzes the contextual shifts and interests involved, and cautions against rather alarmist or biased readings of China–Africa relations that neglect or gloss over the ‘facts on the ground’ and specificities. It also unpacks the notion of African agency in the context of Africa–China economic relations, particularly in the ways Chinese state oil corporations operating in Africa’s oilfields—traditionally dominated by Western oil multinationals—have been exposed to opportunities, risks, structural challenges, and regulation by African petro-states. This provides a sound basis for understanding how lessons learnt and experiences on both sides define the place of China–Africa oil engagements as a key element for potential economic transformation.

Climate risk assessment in petroleum operations: A review of CSR practices for sustainable Resilience in the United States and Africa

“…Petroleum companies may encounter challenges in adopting and integrating these technologies, particularly in regions with limited technological infrastructure. Obtaining accurate and up-to-date data for risk assessment can also be challenging, impacting the precision of the assessments (Dhali, Hassan & Subramaniam, 2023, Krause & Pullman, 2021, Obi, 2019.…”

Climate Risk Assessment in Petroleum Operations: A Review of CSR Practices for Sustainable Resilience in the United States and Africa

“…Petroleum companies may encounter challenges in adopting and integrating these technologies, particularly in regions with limited technological infrastructure. Obtaining accurate and up-to-date data for risk assessment can also be challenging, impacting the precision of the assessments (Dhali, Hassan & Subramaniam, 2023, Krause & Pullman, 2021, Obi, 2019. Economic pressures, particularly in regions heavily dependent on petroleum revenue, may limit the resources available for climate risk assessment and comprehensive CSR initiatives.…”

Below the Belt? Territory and Development in China's International Rise

“…The history of Chinese oil companies is beyond the scope of this article but goes back to a range of ministerial reforms and restructurings over the 1990s (Taylor, 2014) which saw the creation of three large national oil companies (NOCs) — Sinopec, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). In terms of Jones and Zeng's (2019) framing of ‘state transformation’ these NOCs were partially privatized so that commercial pressures began to outweigh geopolitical ones, particularly around energy security (Obi, 2019). For example, CNPC's entry into Sudan in the mid‐1990s was driven by the company rather than any geopolitical directive from Beijing (Patey, 2014).…”

“…changes in leadership, etc.) are seeing shifts towards joint ventures by Chinese NOCs with African NOCs and/or IOCs (Obi, 2019). In addition to mergers and acquisitions, Chinese NOCs and SOEs have entered into resource swaps.…”

“…The implications of China's international rise for the political economy of development are profound, but our analytical tools are relatively blunt, particularly the spatial lenses we use. As others have noted, ‘China’ is often treated as homogeneous (Klinger and Muldavin, 2019) which in turn produces stark assessments of China's development impact as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ (Obi, 2019). This homogenizing tendency is compounded when we consider where China engages, with broad‐brush analysis of things like ‘China–Africa’ relations that treat ‘Africa’ as a single entity (Chan, 2008).…”