China Xinjiang mulls 4 oil refining bases

China’s western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is planning a capacity upgrade to 10 million tons for each of its four petroleum refining bases, in a bid to craft itself into a leading market player in the coming years. The four refining bases are located in the region’s Dushanzi, Karamay, Urumqi and Kuche County. Xinjiang is expected to rise as the largest petroleum and natural gas refining base in China. Latest public data show that the oil and chemical industry in Xinjiang gained more than 10% year-on-year in the January to August period. (October 14, 2010)