EDINBURGH, Scotland, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said there was "substantial" interest in the North Sea expressed by Chinese energy companies during his trip to China.
Salmond arrived Sunday in Edinburgh to deliver updates about his trip to China. He said energy issues topped the agenda during his visit.
"[I] conducted senior-level meetings with major oil companies [China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.] and [China National Offshore Oil Corp.], both of which have substantial interests in the North Sea, opening the door for our vastly experienced industry at the very highest level which will lead to creating opportunities to open up supply chains to these huge businesses," he said in a statement.
China's expanding economy has positioned the country as a world leader in terms of energy demand.
Salmond said workers from his country have the experience from North Sea operations necessary to help China capitalize on its domestic energy supplies. In the North Sea, meanwhile, the Scottish government estimates there are nearly 24 billion barrels of recoverable oil remaining.
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