Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Latest EU sanctions largely toothless
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
BP’s long stay in Russia
After failed attempts to find a buyer for its stake in Russia’s largest oil producer, BP may be able to avoid the harsh treatment meted out to ExxonMobil and Shell when they exited—and could even restart operations if geopolitical conditions improve
Arbitration with Gazprom: How to collect
A number of companies have filed arbitration claims against Gazprom over non-deliveries of contracted gas or other matters—and won. The next step is to collect the award, but this is no easy task
Difficult times for Germany’s downstream
Europe’s refining sector is desperately trying to adapt to a shifting global energy landscape and nowhere is this more apparent than in its largest economy
Power of Siberia 2: Deal or no deal?
There is a good strategic case for China to sign a deal for gas supplies via the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, but Beijing’s concerns around over-dependence on a single supplier and desire to drive down the price make it relatively unlikely a contract will be finalised this year
China creates two-tier oil dynamic
There is a bifurcation in the global oil market as China’s stockpiling contrasts with reduced inventories elsewhere
Trump’s Russia threat rings hollow
The reaction to proposed sanctions on Russian oil buyers has been muted, suggesting trader fatigue with Trump’s frequent bold and erratic threats
Waiting for Arctic LNG 2
Without sanctions relief, there is little reason to believe the latest potential attempt at exports from the Russian liquefaction project will be more successful than the one last summer
China’s oil output to scale new heights
New discoveries and stabilisation of legacy fields’ output have helped China reverse the decline and be a top-five producer in recent years
India to help Asia spearhead global refining
Shifting demand patterns leaves most populous nation primed to become downstream leader as China and the West retreat
The value of China’s imports from Russia in April have hit record heights
Opinion
China Russia Oil markets
Shi Weijun
Beijing
6 June 2022
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

Letter from China: Beijing backs Moscow

China’s energy imports have offered Russia a lifeline as Western sanctions bite

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three months ago prompted speculation as to how much support China would be prepared to provide to its northern neighbour and ‘strategic partner’. The most recent energy trade data from the world’s second-largest economy appears to provide an answer. While Beijing has declined to provide direct diplomatic support, it has boosted energy imports from Russia, offering a lifeline to Moscow that has enabled it to withstand Western economic and financial sanctions. The value of China’s imports from Russia in April hit a record high of $8.89bn, up by 56.6pc from a year earlier and 13.3pc higher than March, according to Chinese customs figures. Purchases of oil, gas and

Also in this section
OPEC+ off-target in July
8 August 2025
The producers’ group missed its output increase target for the month and may soon face a critical test of its strategy
The great OPEC+ reset
7 August 2025
The quick, unified and decisive strategy to return all the barrels from the hefty tranche of cuts from the eight producers involved in voluntary curbs signals a shift and sets the tone for the path ahead
Latest EU sanctions largely toothless
7 August 2025
Without US backing, the EU’s newest sanctions package against Russia—though not painless—is unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s oil and gas revenues or its broader economy
A third distillate disruption
6 August 2025
Diesel market disruptions have propelled crude prices above $100/bl twice in this century, and now oil teeters on the brink of another crude quality crisis

Share PDF with colleagues

Rich Text Editor, message-text
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Rich Text Editor, txt-link-message
Editor toolbarsBasic Styles Bold ItalicParagraph Insert/Remove Numbered List Insert/Remove Bulleted List Decrease Indent Increase IndentLinks Link Unlinkabout About CKEditor
Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search

  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search