Read it here first: China’s Latin American Oil Grab

"In recent months, though, China’s voracious economy has brought it to Venezuela, and much of South America, in search of fuel."

How’s that for a money quote to grab your attention? It comes from an article in today’s NYT (China’s Oil Diplomacy in Latin America).

If you read it, you will recognize some of the issues. Last month, we discussed China’s Oil Grab in  Russia and Venezuela. That comes on top of our May 16, 2004, discussion of Chinese Oil Demand.

Give credit to the NY Times for being the first of the majors to recognize this for what it is: a naked grab for scarce commodities:

"BOGOTÁ, Colombia, Feb. 28 – Latin America is becoming a rich destination for China in its global quest for energy, with the Chinese quickly signing accords with Venezuela, investing in largely untapped markets like Peru and exploring possibilities in Bolivia and Colombia.

China’s sights are focused mostly on Venezuela, which ships more than 60 percent of its crude oil to the United States. With the largest oil reserves outside the Middle East, and a president who says that his country needs to diversify its energy business beyond the United States, Venezuela has emerged as an obvious contender for Beijing’s attention.

The Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chávez, accompanied by a delegation of 125 officials and businessmen, and Vice President Zeng Qinghong of China signed 19 cooperation agreements in Caracas late in January. They included long-range plans for Chinese stakes in oil and gas fields, most of them now considered marginal but which could become valuable with big investments.

Mr. Chávez has been engaged in a war of words with the Bush administration since the White House gave tacit support to a 2002 coup that briefly ousted him. Still, Venezuela is a major source for American oil companies, one of four main providers of imported crude oil to the United States, inexorably linking the two countries’ interests."

And China is not stopping with just one country:


China’s Latin American Oil Manuevers

Venezuela     Oil
Chile     Tin
Bolivia     Gas
Brazil     joint operations in refining, pipelines and exploration gas pipeline
Bolivia     Shengli International Petroleum Development earmarked $1.5 billion investment fund
Ecuador     China National Petroleum and Sinopec oil blocks
Peru    China National Petroleum oil production; Also, memorandum of understanding for more exploration deals
Colombia     exploration and production

As many people blame "speculators" for the rise in oil prices, I
once again need to remind people that  China accounts for 40 percent of
global growth in oil demand over the past four years (Source: NYT,
DOE). I expect their demand to triple over the next 3 decades. At
present, China consumes 5.56 million barrels per day versus the United
States 20.4 million daily barrels. Of that amout, the US imports ~12
million.

Expect this to be an ongoing story. Those pundits who blame high oil prices on "speculators" remind me of the CEOs who blame their low stock price on the "shorts:"  Both groups are either fools, liars — or worse. 

>

Sources:
Penobscot Princess
Morning Comment — Tuesday, February 2, 2005
subscription only electronic distribution

China’s Oil Diplomacy in Latin America
JUAN FORERO
NYT, March 1, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/01/business/worldbusiness/01oil.html

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What's been said:

Discussions found on the web:
  1. wcw commented on Mar 1

    While I find your fundamental thesis to be sound and hence am hardly short fuels, neither am I long mercantilism.

    How are these “grabs” any more than it is when Chevron signs a deal with Qatar or Angola?

  2. Chibi commented on Mar 1

    Slight loophole in the Monroe Doctrine. No mention of China!

  3. Eric commented on Mar 1

    Cheveron is not an agent of the American government. Its dealmaker is the president of a multinational corporation–not the president of a state.

  4. wcw commented on Mar 1

    Two words: George Schulz. Secretary of State under Reagan, board member for Chevron.

    Funny how these things work, huh?

  5. wcw commented on Mar 1

    Hamfingers: Schultz. Apologies.

  6. Thinker commented on Mar 5

    In recent years, Latin America has become more and more restive under American hegemony – particularly since the Bush administration took office.

    For them, playing the China card provides an opportunity to get out from under the Bush administration thumb.

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  19. BARRISTER GANI FAWEHINMI commented on Jun 20

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    Sir,

    LETTER OF INTRODUCTION.
    Let us introduce Croil Delta Company to you as an Oil& Gas Company. With our past histrory in the Oil and gas sector as a Consultant,we bring a deversified level of expertise to the energy market.Croil Delta’s increase in stregth has result in accepting more responsibilities in 2005 from a consultancy concern to concentrating our efforts on supply of crude oil and its by products both locally and internationally has enable us to become more price conscious in today’s competitive markets.
    Croil Delta Company in Collaboration with Oilfield Group Company and a strong backing from NNPC/SHELL JOINT VENTURE we are ready and willing to supply crude oil and its by products with full confirmable allocation +Proof of Product(POP) from NNPC/SHELL SCREEN in London and other authorised offices as the case maybe.
    Our capability and experience translate into better,quicker response and faster completion of deals for our customers’ needs.
    We would like to be your supplier for:
    *CRUDE OIL, + LOADED CARGO IS AVAILABLE NOW.(BLCO) , LPFO,Russian D2, ROB on CIF/FOB.
    Large or Small Croil Delta and Oil Field Group are the names to remember for Petroleum products.
    NOTE: PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DRAFT CONTRACT FOR CIF(BLCO).
    If accepted by your reputable company, send us buyer representative name and company name so we can address Offer + Proof of Product for your confirmation immediately.

    If you have any question or would like further information, please contact us.
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  21. Godwin Nabor commented on Jan 10

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