"In order to speed up the exploration of oil in the Tarim Basin and upgrade China's prospecting capability, nine risk exploration zones will open to the international oil firms. The open area will reach 110,000 square meters. And it is the first time for China to open such a large exploration area to the outside world." Sun Longde, general manager of the Tarim Oilfield Company affiliated with China National Petrolum Corporation (CNPC), disclosed recently.

He also said the open areas, mainly risk exploration zones, are located chiefly in the southeast, middle and east of the Tarim basin. The open pattern will follow the example of the "risk exploration" mode usually adopted internationally.

By People's Daily Online