To implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on the work of central state-owned enterprises and accelerate the Party committee’s deployment of scientific and technological innovation, on January 19, Chen Xinhuan, Party Secretary and Chairman of Sinochem Bureau (Group), led a delegation to the Sinopec Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute for exchanges and discussions. The two sides conducted in-depth talks on key topics including coordinated exploration of oil, gas and chemical mineral resources, new energy resource development, joint technological breakthroughs, and talent cultivation, reaching multiple cooperation consensuses and building a solid bridge for cross-sector collaboration between central enterprises.

At the symposium, Chen Xinhuan stated that Sinochem Bureau (Group) will remain committed to its original mission of “serving the nation through geology,” uphold its responsibility to address major national needs, and resolutely implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and instructions. By fully leveraging the three core roles of central enterprises—technological innovation, industrial control, and safety support—the Group will demonstrate new responsibilities in serving national strategies. Against the backdrop of concluding the “14th Five-Year Plan” and launching the “15th Five-Year Plan,” Sinochem Bureau (Group) aims to build a “geological science and technology engine,” focusing on strategic minerals such as phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, boron and fluorite to achieve breakthroughs in prospecting and scientific research. As an internationally renowned research institution with outstanding contributions to China’s oil reserve growth and production increase, the Sinopec E&P Research Institute serves as a benchmark for learning. Chen noted broad cooperation potential between the two sides in areas including integrated exploration of oil with potash and lithium, lithium and potassium extraction from brines, deep-earth resource exploration, and green and ecological exploration.

Chen Xinhuan proposed six areas of cooperation:
First, focusing on core technological breakthroughs by jointly tackling the coexistence mechanisms of oil and gas with associated minerals such as potash and lithium, and co-applying for national and provincial research projects.
Second, exploring the establishment of joint laboratories, sharing equipment and data, and jointly developing industry technical standards to promote application of results.
Third, jointly advancing cooperation in key overseas regions to build resource bases and explore coordinated development models.
Fourth, jointly cultivating high-quality talent through two-way exchange mechanisms.
Fifth, enhancing the academic standing of the journal Chemical Mine Geology by inviting high-level experts to join its advisory team and strengthening academic influence.
Sixth, establishing regular communication and joint research mechanisms.

Guo Xusheng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chief Geologist of Sinopec Corp., and President of the E&P Research Institute, warmly welcomed the delegation and endorsed the six cooperation proposals. He noted that Sinochem Bureau (Group), with a 74-year history, is China’s only specialized bureau for chemical mineral resources, possessing strong technical capabilities and a solid foundation for cooperation. The Group has made outstanding contributions in the exploration and development of strategic minerals such as phosphate and potash, with comprehensive qualifications and deep industry experience, and is a core force in China’s new round of prospecting breakthrough initiatives. Guo suggested taking the signing of a cooperation memorandum as a starting point to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism, coordinating scientific research and results transformation under the cross-sector model of “oil and gas + chemical minerals,” which aligns with China’s new national system for major innovation efforts.

After the meeting, the delegation visited Sinopec’s key laboratories, learning about research equipment and applications in oil and gas, shale gas, and hydraulic fracturing technologies. The two sides will next refine cooperation details and accelerate implementation to achieve synergistic innovation and win-win development.