Premier extends festive greetings to oil workers

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday went to the Longdong area of Changqing oilfield in northwest China's Gansu Province to extend lunar New Year greetings to oil workers.

Wen arrived at the production command headquarters of Changqing oilfield Longdong oil and gas exploration area at about 4 p.m. Saturday to learn about the production and development of the oilfield and extend greetings to the workers.

Located in the provinces and autonomous regions of Gansu, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi, Changqing oilfield has over recent years become the country's fastest-growing oil and gas field in terms of proven reserves and output.

The total oil and gas output of Changqing oilfield exceeded 40 million tonnes of oil and gas equivalent in 2011. Its output is expected to rise to 50 million tonnes of oil and gas equivalent in 2013.

Cadres and workers of Daqing oilfield, Tarim oilfield, Lanzhou Petrochemical Company and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Sudan branch also briefed Wen on their production through video links.

Wen said that cadres and workers in the oil industry, braving tough working conditions, have made significant contributions in safeguarding the country's energy security.

"Through arduous work, you have ensured the west-to-east natural gas transfer, national oil supply and, subsequently, economic and social development," Wen told the oil workers.