In February, the heads of China's three state-controlled oil and gas majors -- China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), Sinopec and China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) -- met one of Russia's most influential players in the energy sector, Igor Sechin, chief executive of state-owned oil company Rosneft.

CNN: China eyes Arctic options in energy, transport

In June, China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) won a 60% stake in the privatization of Aktyubinsk (see map next page) in Kazakstan's northwest, a deal that got it two major fields -- Zhanazhol with reserves of 1 billion barrels and Kenkayak with 300 million.

CNN: THE BIG OIL SHOCK