20-F 1 form20-f.htm FORM 20-F form20-f.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
 
£
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
OR
 
 
S
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
 
OR
 
 
£
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
OR
 
 
£
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
DATE OF EVENT REQUIRING THIS SHELL COMPANY REPORT ……………….
 
FOR THE TRANSACTION PERIOD FORM ____________ TO __________
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-15138
_______________________
 
中国石油化工股份有限公司
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________
 
The People’s Republic of China
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
_______________________
 
22 Chaoyangmen North Street
Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100728
The People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
_______________________

Mr. Huang Wensheng
22 Chaoyangmen North Street
Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100728
The People’s Republic of China
Tel: +86 (10) 5996 0028
Fax: +86 (10) 5996 0386
(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
________________________
 
 
1

 
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act.

Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange
On Which Registered
American Depositary Shares, each representing
100 H Shares of par value RMB 1.00 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
     
H Shares of par value RMB 1.00 per share
 
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.*
 
 
 
*
Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depository Shares.
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15 (d) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
 

 
H Shares, par value RMB 1.00 per share
25,513,438,600
A Shares, par value RMB 1.00 per share
92,766,957,040
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes X                      No__
 
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes __                    No X
Note - Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes                    No__
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)*
 
Yes__                    No__
*This requirement does not apply to the registrant in respect of this filing.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer X
 
Accelerated filer __
 
Non-accelerated filer __
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
 
U.S. GAAP ___
 
International Financial Reporting Standards X as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
 
Other ___

If “Other” has been checked in  response to the previous question,  indicate by check mark which  financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
 
Item 17__                    Item 18__
 
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes __                    No X
 
 
2

 
 
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. *
Yes__                    No__
*This requirement does not apply to the registrant in respect of this filing.

 
3

 

Table of Contents
 
Page
ITEM 1.
     
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
 
9
ITEM 2.
     
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
 
9
ITEM 3.
     
KEY INFORMATION
 
9
   
A.
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
9
   
B.
 
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
 
11
   
C.
 
REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
11
   
D.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
11
ITEM 4.
     
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
 
19
   
A.
 
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
 
19
   
B.
 
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
 
21
   
C.
 
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
 
37
   
D.
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
37
ITEM 4A.
     
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
38
ITEM 5.
     
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
38
   
A.
 
GENERAL
 
38
   
B.
 
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
41
   
C.
 
DISCUSSIONS ON RESULTS OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS
 
47
   
D.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
54
ITEM 6.
     
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
 
57
   
A.
 
DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
 
57
   
B.
 
COMPENSATION
 
64
   
C.
 
BOARD PRACTICE
 
65
   
D.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
66
   
E.
 
SHARE OWNERSHIP
 
66
ITEM 7.
     
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
67
   
A.
 
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
 
67
   
B.
 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
67
   
C.
 
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
 
68
ITEM 8.
     
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
68
   
A.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
68
   
B.
 
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
 
69
ITEM 9.
     
THE OFFER AND LISTING
 
69
   
A.
 
OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
 
69
ITEM 10.
     
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
70
   
A.
 
SHARE CAPITAL
 
70
   
B.
 
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
 
70
   
C.
 
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
 
78
   
D.
 
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
 
78
   
E.
 
TAXATION
 
78
   
F.
 
DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
 
83
   
G.
 
STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
 
83
   
H.
 
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
 
83
   
I.
 
SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
 
83
ITEM 11.
     
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
83
ITEM 12.
     
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
 
87
ITEM 13.
     
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
 
88
ITEM 14.
     
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
88
   
A.
 
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS TO SECURITIES HOLDERS
 
88
   
B.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
88
ITEM 15.
     
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
88
ITEM 16.
     
RESERVED
 
89
ITEM 16A.
     
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
 
89
ITEM 16B.
     
CODE OF ETHICS
 
89
ITEM 16C.
     
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
89
ITEM 16D.
     
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
 
90
ITEM 16E.
     
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
 
90
 
 
4

 
 
ITEM 16F.
     
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
90
ITEM 16G.
     
COMPARISON OF NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES AND CHINA CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES FOR LISTED COMPANIES
 
90
ITEM 16H.
     
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
 
94
ITEM 17.
     
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
94
ITEM 18.
     
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
94
ITEM 19.
     
EXHIBITS
 
94
 
 
5

 

CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
 
Definitions
 
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report to:
 
 
·
“Sinopec Corp.”, “we”, “our” and “us” are to China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, a PRC joint stock limited company, and its subsidiaries;
 
 
·
“Sinopec Group Company” are to our controlling shareholder, China Petrochemical Corporation, a PRC limited liability company;
 
 
·
“Sinopec Group” are to the Sinopec Group Company and its subsidiaries other than Sinopec Corp. and its subsidiaries;
 
 
·
“provinces” are to provinces and to provincial-level autonomous regions and municipalities in China which are directly under the supervision of the central PRC government;
 
 
·
“RMB” are to Renminbi, the currency of the PRC;
 
 
·
“HK$” are to Hong Kong dollar, the currency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC; and
 
 
·
“US$” are to US dollars, the currency of the United States of America.
 
Conversion Conventions
 
Unless otherwise specified, conversions of crude oil from tonnes to barrels are made at a rate of one tonne to 7.35 barrels for crude oil we purchase from external sources, one tonne to 7.10 barrels for crude oil we produced domestically and one tonne to 7.22 barrels for crude oil we produced overseas, representing the American Petroleum Institute (“API”) gravity of the respective source of crude oil. Conversions of natural gas from cubic meters to cubic feet are made at a rate of one cubic meter to 35.31 cubic feet; and 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas is converted to one BOE.
 
Glossary of Technical Terms
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the context, references to:
 
 
·
“BOE” are to barrels-of-oil equivalent.
 
 
·
“primary distillation capacity” are to the crude oil throughput capacity of a refinery’s crude oil distillation units, calculated by estimating the number of days in a year that such crude oil distillation units are expected to operate, excluding downtime for regular maintenance, and multiplying that number by the amount equal to the units’ optimal daily crude oil throughput.
 
 
·
“rated capacity” are to the output capacity of a given production unit or, where appropriate, the throughput capacity, calculated by estimating the number of days in a year that such production unit is expected to operate, excluding downtime for regular maintenance, and multiplying that number by an amount equal to the unit’s optimal daily output or throughput, as the case may be.
 
 
6

 

CURRENCIES AND EXCHANGE RATES
 
We publish our financial statements in Renminbi. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations from Renminbi to US dollars were made at the averages of mid-point exchange rate of Renminbi as published by the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange (the “SAFE”).
 
The following table sets forth noon buying rate for US dollars in Renminbi for the periods indicated, as provided by the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.  We do not represent that Renminbi or US dollar amounts could be converted into US dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates below or at all. On April 3, 2015, the noon buying rate was RMB 6.1930 to US$1.00.
 
   
Noon Buying Rate(1)
 
Period
  End    
Average(2)
    High     Low  
    (RMB per US$1.00)  
                         
2010
    6.6000       6.7603       6.8330       6.6000  
2011
    6.2939       6.4475       6.6364       6.2939  
2012
    6.2301       6.2990       6.3879       6.2221  
2013
    6.0537       6.1412       6.2438       6.0537  
2014
    6.2046       6.1620       6.2591       6.0402  
October 2014
    6.1124       6.1251       6.1385       6.1107  
November 2014
    6.1429       6.1249       6.1429       6.1117  
December 2014
    6.2046       6.1886       6.2256       6.1490  
January 2015
    6.2495       6.2181       6.2535       6.1870  
February 2015
    6.2695       6.2518       6.2695       6.2399  
March 2015
    6.1990       6.2386       6.2741       6.1955  
April 2015 (through April 3, 2015)
    6.1930       6.1958       6.1976       6.1930  
__________
 
(1)
The exchange rates reflect those set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.
(2)
Annual averages are determined by averaging the rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant period. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.
 
 
7

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This annual report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this annual report that address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are hereby identified as forward-looking statements for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words such as believe, intend, expect, anticipate, project, estimate, predict, plan and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements address, among others, such issues as:
 
 
·
amount and nature of future exploration and development,
 
·
future prices of and demand for our products,
 
·
future earnings and cash flow,
 
·
development projects and drilling prospects,
 
·
future plans and capital expenditures,
 
·
estimates of proved oil and gas reserves,
 
·
exploration prospects and reserves potential,
 
·
expansion and other development trends of the petroleum and petrochemical industry,
 
·
production forecasts of oil and gas,
 
·
expected production or processing capacities, including expected rated capacities and primary distillation capacities, of units or facilities not yet in operation,
 
·
expansion and growth of our business and operations, and
 
·
our prospective operational and financial information.
 
These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in particular circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including the risks set forth in “Item 3. Key Information ¾ Risk Factors” and the following:
 
 
·
fluctuations in crude oil prices,
 
·
fluctuations in prices of our products,
 
·
failures or delays in achieving production from development projects,
 
·
potential acquisitions and other business opportunities,
 
·
general economic, market and business conditions, and
 
·
other risks and factors beyond our control.
 
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this annual report are qualified by these cautionary statements and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements should be considered in light of the various important factors set forth above and elsewhere in this Form 20-F.  In addition, we cannot assure you that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected effect on us or our business or operations.
 
 
8

 
 
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
 
 
A.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The selected consolidated statement of income data (except per ADS data) and consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected consolidated statement of income data and consolidated cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included elsewhere in this annual report and the financial statements of the acquired businesses described below.
 
We acquired from Sinopec Group Company part of interest in Sonangol Sinopec International Limited (“SSI”) in 2010. As we and these companies are under the common control of Sinopec Group Company, our acquisitions are reflected in our consolidated financial statements as combination of entities under common control that is accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interests. Accordingly, the acquired assets and related liabilities have been accounted for at historical cost and our consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the combinations have been restated to include the financial condition and the results of operation of these companies on a combined basis.
 
On May 9, 2014, our shareholders approved at the annual general meeting the declaration and payment of a cash dividend of RMB 0.15 per share for 2013.
 
Moreover, the selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
 
 
9

 
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
    2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  
   
(RMB in millions, except per share, per ADS data and number of shares)
 
Consolidated Statement of Income Data(1):                              
Operating revenues
    1,913,182       2,505,683       2,786,045       2,880,311       2,825,914  
Operating expenses
    (1,808,208 )     (2,400,153 )     (2,687,383 )     (2,783,526 )     (2,752,427 )
Operating income
    104,974       105,530       98,662       96,785       73,487  
Earnings before income tax
    103,663       104,565       90,642       95,052       65,504  
Tax expense
    (25,681 )     (26,120 )     (23,846 )     (24,763 )     (17,571 )
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
    71,782       73,225       63,879       66,132       46,466  
Basic earnings per share(2) 
    0.637       0.650       0.566       0.570       0.398  
Basic earnings per ADS(2) 
    63.69       65.00       56.62       56.96       39.77  
Diluted earnings per share(2)
    0.631       0.625       0.545       0.534       0.397  
Diluted earnings per ADS(2)
    63.08       62.46       54.46       53.41       39.74  
Cash dividends declared per share
    0.146       0.177       0.231       0.244       0.240  
Segment Results
                                       
Exploration and production
    47,149       71,631       70,054       54,793       47,057  
Refining
    15,851       (35,780 )     (11,444 )     8,599       (1,954 )
Marketing and distribution
    30,760       44,696       42,652       35,143       29,449  
Chemicals
    15,011       26,732       1,178       868       (2,181 )
Corporate and others
    (2,342 )     (2,640 )     (2,443 )     (3,412 )     (1,063 )
Elimination of inter-segment sales
    (1,455 )     891       (1,335 )     794       2,179  
Operating income
    104,974       105,530       98,662       96,785       73,487  
Shares
                                       
Basic weighted average number of A and H shares
    112,713,267,514       112,713,299,453       112,853,724,741       116,102,910,373       116,822,487,451  
Diluted weighted average number of A and H shares
    114,126,836,287       116,733,935,215       118,412,133,133       121,858,818,276       117,242,396,710  
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2010
    2011     2012     2013     2014  
   
(RMB in millions)
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data(1):
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
    17,008       24,647       10,456       15,046       9,355  
Total current assets
    260,229       342,755       365,015       373,010       360,144  
Total non-current assets
    727,642       794,423       892,929       1,009,906       1,091,224  
Total assets
    987,871       1,137,178       1,257,944       1,382,916       1,451,368  
Total current liabilities
    (336,406 )     (444,240 )     (513,373 )     (571,822 )     (604,257 )
Short-term debts and loans from Sinopec Group Company and its affiliates (including current portion of long-term debts)
    (35,828 )     (80,373 )     (115,982 )     (163,870 )     (178,148 )
Long-term debts and loans from Sinopec Group Company and its affiliates (excluding current portion of long-term debts)
    (174,075 )     (154,457 )    
(162,116
)     (145,590 )     (150,932 )
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
    (419,604 )     (472,328 )     (510,914 )     (568,803 )     (593,041 )
Total equity
    (451,036 )     (507,344 )     (548,036 )     (621,626 )     (645,577 )
 
 
10

 
 
   
Year Ended December 31
 
   
2010
    2011     2012     2013     2014  
   
(RMB in millions)
 
Statement of Cash Flow and Other Financial Data(1):
                             
Net cash generated from operating activities
    170,333       150,622       142,380       151,893       148,347  
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities
    (56,294 )     (2,516 )     5,628       31,519       (21, 421 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (105,788 )     (140,449 )     (162,197 )     (178,740 )     (132,633 )
Capital expenditure
                                       
Exploration and production
    53,801       62,050       79,071       105,311       80,196  
Refining
    20,015       25,767       32,161       26,064       27,957  
Marketing and distribution
    30,829       30,387       31,723       29,486       26,989  
Chemicals
    18,422       16,980       23,616       19,189       15,850  
Corporate and others
    1,894       2,488       2,397       5,076       3,648  
Total
    124,961       137,672       168,968       185,126       154,640  
__________
(1)
The acquisition of 55% equity interest of Sonangol Sinopec International Limited (SSI) in 2010 from Sinopec Group Company were considered as “combination of entities under common control” and accounted in a manner similar to pooling-of-interests.  Accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities have been accounted for at historical cost and the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the combinations have been restated to include the financial condition and results of operation of these acquired companies on a combined basis.  The considerations for these acquisitions were treated as equity transactions.
(2)
Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income attributable to equity shareholders of our company by the weighted average number of shares in issue. Basic and diluted earnings per ADS have been computed as if all of our issued or potential ordinary shares, including domestic shares and H shares, are represented by ADSs during each of the years presented. Each ADS represents 100 shares. The weighted average number of shares for the years prior to January 1, 2013 has been retrospectively adjusted as a result of the issuance of bonus shares and capitalization in 2013, and accordingly the basic earnings and diluted earnings per share have been adjusted retrospectively.

 
B.
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
 
Not applicable.
 
 
C.
REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Not applicable.
 
 
D.
RISK FACTORS
 
Risks Relating to Our Business Operation
 
We are exposed to risks associated with price fluctuations of crude oil and refined petroleum products. 
 
We consume a large amount of crude oil to produce our refined petroleum products and petrochemical products.  Increases in crude oil prices may result in cost inflation, and high prices may also reduce demand for our products which might adversely affect our profitability. Decreases in crude oil and refined product prices may cause us to incur impairment to our investment and assets. A prolonged period of oil price drop may impact our profit and ability to maintain our long-term investment projects. In addition, while we try to adjust the sale prices of our products to track international crude oil price fluctuations, our ability to pass on the increased cost resulting from crude oil price increases to our customers may be limited, and is dependent on international and domestic market conditions as well as the PRC government’s price control policies over refined petroleum products. For instance, the PRC government could exercise price control over refined petroleum products when international crude oil prices experience a sustained rise or become significantly volatile. As a result, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially affected by the fluctuation of crude oil and refined petroleum product prices.
 
Our continued business success depends in part on our ability to replace reserves and develop newly discovered reserves.
 
Our ability to achieve our growth objectives is dependent in part on our level of success in discovering or acquiring additional oil and natural gas reserves. Our exploration and development activities for additional reserves also expose us to inherent risks associated with drilling, including the risk that no proved oil or natural gas reservoirs might be discovered. Exploring for, developing and acquiring reserves is highly risky and capital intensive. The fluctuation in the prices of crude oil and natural gas will impact the base of our proved oil or natural gas reserves. Without reserve additions through further exploration and development or acquisition activities, or if the prices of crude oil and natural gas fall sharply, our reserves and production will decline over time, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
 
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We rely heavily on outside suppliers for crude oil and other raw materials, and we may even experience disruption of our ability to obtain crude oil and other raw materials.
 
We purchase a significant portion of crude oil and other feedstock from outside suppliers located in different countries and regions in the world. In 2014, approximately 82.5% of the crude oil required for our refinery business was sourced from international suppliers, and an insignificant amount is from countries or regions that are on the sanction list published and administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, of the US Department of Treasury, including Iran and Sudan. In addition, our development requires us to source an increasing amount of crude oil from outside suppliers. We are subject to the political, geographical and economic risks associated with these countries and areas. If one or more of our material supply contracts were terminated or disrupted due to any natural disasters or political events, it is possible that we would not be able to find sufficient alternative sources of supply in a timely manner or on commercially reasonable terms. As a result, our business and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
 
Our business faces operation risks and natural disasters that may cause significant property damages, personal injuries and interruption of operations, and we may not have sufficient insurance coverage for all the financial losses incurred by us.
 
Exploring for, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas and producing and transporting refined oil products and chemical products involves a number of operating hazards. Our operations are subject to significant hazards and risks inherent in refining operations and in transporting and storing crude oil, intermediate products and refined oil products. These hazards and risks include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, fires, explosions, pipeline ruptures and spills, third-party interference and mechanical failure of equipment at our or third-party facilities, any of which could result in production and distribution difficulties and disruptions, environmental pollution, personal injury or wrongful death claims and other damage to our properties and the property of others. There is also risk of mechanical failure and equipment shutdowns both in general and following unforeseen events. In such situations, undamaged refinery processing units may be dependent on or interact with damaged process units and, accordingly, are also subject to being shut down.  Even though we have a strong institutional focus on the safety of our operations and have implemented health, safety and environment (“HSE”) management system within our company with the view to preventing accidents, and reducing personal injuries, property losses and environment pollution, our preventative measures may not be effective. We also maintain insurance coverage on our property, plant, equipment and inventory, but our insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover all the financial losses caused by the operation risks and natural disasters.  Significant operating hazards and natural disasters may cause interruption to our operations, property or environmental damages as well as personal injuries, and each of these incidents could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
The oil and natural gas reserves data in this annual report are only estimates, and our actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves may differ materially from these estimates.
 
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves, and in the timing of development expenditures and the projection of future rates of production. Adverse changes in economic conditions may render it uneconomical to develop certain reserves. Our actual production, revenues, taxes and fees payable and development and operating expenditures with respect to our reserves may likely vary from these estimates.
 
The reliability of reserves estimates depends on:
 
 
·
the quality and quantity of technical and economic data;
 
 
·
the prevailing oil and gas prices applicable to our production;
 
 
·
the production performance of the reservoirs; and
 
 
·
extensive engineering judgments.
 
In addition, new drilling, testing and production results following the estimates may cause substantial upward or downward revisions in the estimates.
 
 
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Oilfield exploration and drilling involves numerous risks, including risks that no commercially productive crude oil or natural gas reserves can be discovered and risks of failure to acquire or retain reserves.
 
Our oil and gas business is currently involved in exploration activities in various regions, including in some areas where natural conditions may be challenging and where the costs of such exploration activities may be high. As a result, our oil and gas business may incur cost overruns or may be required to curtail, delay or cancel drilling operations because of many factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
 
 
·
unexpected drilling conditions;
 
 
·
pressure or irregularities in geological formations;
 
 
·
equipment failures or accidents;
 
 
·
oil well blowouts;
 
 
·
adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
 
 
·
compliance with existing or enhanced environmental regulations;
 
 
·
governmental requirements and standards; or
 
 
·
delays in the availability of drilling rigs and delivery and maintenance of equipment.
 
The future production of our oil and gas business depends significantly upon our success in finding or acquiring additional reserves and retaining and developing such reserves. If our oil and gas business fails to conduct successful exploration activities or to acquire or retain assets holding proved reserves, it may not meet its production or growth targets, and its proved reserves will decline as it extracts crude oil and natural gas from the existing reservoirs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We have been actively pursuing business opportunities outside China to supplement our domestic resources. However, there can be no assurance that we can successfully locate sufficient alternative sources of crude oil supply or at all due to the complexity of the international political, economic and other conditions. If we fail to obtain sufficient alternative sources of crude oil supply, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
 
Our exploration, development and production activities and our refining and petrochemical business require substantial expenditure and investments and our plans for and ability to make such expenditures and investments are subject to various risks.
 
Exploring, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas fields are capital-intensive activities involving a high degree of risk. Our ability to undertake exploration, development and production activities and make the necessary capital expenditures and investments is subject to many risks, contingencies and other uncertainties, which may prevent our oil and gas business from achieving the desired results, or which may significantly increase the expenditures and investments that our oil and gas business makes, including, but not limited to, the following:
 
 
·
ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to finance its expenditures, investments and other requirements, which are affected by changes in crude oil and natural gas prices and other factors;
 
 
·
availability and terms of external financing;
 
 
·
mix of exploration and development activities conducted on an independent basis and those conducted jointly with other partners;
 
 
·
extent to which its ability to influence or adjust plans for exploration and development related expenditures is limited under joint operating agreements for those projects in which it has partners;
 
 
·
government approvals required for exploration and development-related expenditures and investments in jurisdictions in which it conducts business; and
 
 
·
economic, political and other conditions in jurisdictions in which it conducts business.
 
 
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We intend to expand our exploration and production activities and, from time to time, construct new and/or revamp existing refining and petrochemical facilities, which require substantial capital expenditures and investments, there can be no assurance that the cash generated by our operations will be sufficient to fund these development plans or that our actual future capital expenditures and investments will not significantly exceed our current planned amounts. Our inability to obtain sufficient funding for development plans could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our development projects and production activities involve many uncertainties and operating risks that can prevent us from realizing profits and cause substantial losses.
 
Our development projects and production activities may be curtailed, delayed or cancelled for many reasons, including equipment shortages or failures, natural hazards, unexpected drilling conditions or reservoir characteristics, pressure or irregularities in geological formations, accidents, mechanical and technical difficulties and industrial action. These projects and activities, which include projects focused on non-conventional oil and gas exploration and development, will also often require the use of new and advanced technologies, which may be expensive to develop, purchase and implement, and may not function as expected. There is a risk that development projects that we undertake may not yield adequate returns. In addition, our development projects and production activities, particularly those in remote areas, could become less profitable, or unprofitable, if we experience a prolonged period of low oil or gas prices or cost overruns.
 
Our business may be adversely affected by actions and regulations prompted by global climate changes.
 
As the international society has reach consensus on the importance and urgency of addressing climate change, the oil and gas industry in which we operate is drawing increasing concerns about global climate change in recent years.  A number of international, national and regional measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions have been enacted. The implementation of such measures in a number of countries and other potential legislation limiting emissions could affect the global demand for fossil fuels. If China or other countries in which we operate or desire to operate enact new laws that focus on limiting greenhouse gas emissions, it could result in substantial capital expenditure from compliance with these laws, and revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities could also be adversely impacted. In November 2014, China and the United States made joint announcement against the threat of climate change, whereby China undertook to peak CO2 emissions around 2030 or earlier if possible, and to increase the non-fossil fuel share of all energy to around 20 percent by 2030.  Following the pledge, the National Development and Reform Commission of China (“NDRC”) adopted the Provisional Measures on the Management of Carbon Emission Trading on December 10, 2014, with the aim of fully implementing the whole China-wide greenhouse gas emissions trading market from 2016.  As a result, a majority of our subsidiaries operating in China may be subject to mandatory emissions trading and required to obtain emission quota, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
 
Our overseas businesses may be adversely affected by changes of overseas government policies and business environment.
 
We have operations and assets and may seek new opportunities in various countries and regions, including countries in Africa, South America and Central Asia and certain other regions, some of which are deemed to be subject to a high degree of political risk.  These countries have experienced and/or may experience in future political instability, changes to the regulatory environment, changes in taxation and foreign exchange controls, frequent disease outbreaks and deterioration in social security. Any of these conditions occurring could disrupt or curtail our operations or development activities. These may in turn cause production to decline, limit our ability to pursue new opportunities, affect the recoverability of our assets or cause us to incur additional costs, particularly due to the long-term nature of many of our projects and significant capital expenditure required.
 
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes, which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to United States investors in the H shares or ADSs.
 
Depending upon the value of our assets, which may be determined based, in part, on the market price of our H shares or ADSs, and the nature of our assets and income over time, we could be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes. Based on our current income and assets and the market price of our H shares or ADSs, we do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or in the foreseeable future.  Because PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year on the basis of the composition of our income and the value of our active versus passive assets for that year, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. The overall level of our passive assets will be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend our liquid assets. Under circumstances where gross income from activities
 
 
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that produce passive income significantly increase relative to our gross income from activities that produce non-passive income or where we determine not to deploy significant amounts of cash for active purposes, our risk of becoming classified as a PFIC may substantially increase. If we were to be or become classified as a PFIC, a US Holder (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information – E. Taxation – United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”) may incur significantly increased United States income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the H shares or ADSs and on the receipt of distributions on the H shares or ADSs to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the United States federal income tax rules. For more information see “Item 10. Additional Information – E. Taxation— United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
 
Risks Relating to Our Industry
 
Our operations may be adversely affected by the global and domestic economic conditions.
 
Our results of operations are materially affected by economic conditions in China and elsewhere around the world. Although nations around the world have adopted various economic policies to mitigate the negative influences caused by factors such as the slowdown of world economic development and the European financial crisis, it is uncertain how soon the world economy can be fully recovered. Our operations may also be adversely affected by factors such as some countries’ trade protection policies which may affect the export and some regional trade agreements which may affect the import.
 
Our operations may be adversely affected by the cyclical nature of the market.
 
Most of our revenues are attributable to sales of refined petroleum products and petrochemical products, and certain of these businesses and related products have historically been cyclical and sensitive to a number of factors that are beyond our control. These factors include the availability and prices of feedstock and general economic conditions, such as changes in industry capacity and output levels, cyclical changes in regional and global economic conditions, prices and availability of substitute products and changes in consumer demand. Although we are an integrated company with upstream, midstream and downstream businesses, we have limited ability to mitigate the adverse influence of the cyclicality of global markets.
 
We face strong competition from domestic and foreign competitors.
 
Among our competitors, some are major integrated petroleum and petrochemical companies within and outside China, which have recently become more significant participants in the petroleum and petrochemical industry in China. On December 4, 2006, Ministry of Commerce of the PRC promulgated the “Administrative Rules for Crude Oil Market” and “Administrative Rules for Refined Petroleum Products Market”, which open the wholesale market of crude oil and refined petroleum products to new market entrants. As a result, we face more competition in both crude oil and refined petroleum product markets. We also expect to face competition in both domestic and international petrochemical product market as a result of our domestic and international competitors’ increasing production capacity. Increased competition may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Risks Relating to Our Controlling Shareholder
 
We engage in related party transactions with Sinopec Group from time to time which may create potential conflict of interest.
 
We have engaged from time to time and will continue to engage in a variety of transactions with Sinopec Group, which provides us with a number of services, including, but not limited to, ancillary supply, engineering, maintenance, transport, lease of land use right, lease of buildings, as well as educational and community services. The nature of our transactions with Sinopec Group is governed by a number of service and other contracts between Sinopec Group and us. We have established various schemes in those agreements so that these transactions, when entered into, are under terms that are at arm’s length. However, we cannot assure you that Sinopec Group Company or any of its members would not take actions that may favor its interests or its other subsidiaries’ interests over ours.
 
We are controlled by Sinopec Group Company, our ultimate controlling shareholder, whose interest in certain businesses compete or are likely to compete with our business.
 
Sinopec Group Company has interests in certain businesses, such as oil refining, petrochemical producing and overseas exploration and development, which compete or are likely to compete, either directly or indirectly, with our businesses. To avoid the adverse effects brought by the competition between us and Sinopec Group Company to the
 
 
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maximum extent possible, we and Sinopec Group Company have entered into a non-competition agreement. In 2012, we received from Sinopec Group Company an undertaking to avoid its competition with us. For details, please refer to the descriptions under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders”. Notwithstanding the foregoing contractual arrangements, because Sinopec Group Company is our controlling shareholder, Sinopec Group Company may take actions that may conflict with our own interests.
 
It is possible that the current or future activities of our ultimate controlling shareholder, Sinopec Group Company, or its affiliates in or with certain countries that are the subject of economic sanctions under relevant U.S. laws could result in negative media and investor attention to us and possible imposition of sanctions on Sinopec Group Company or its affiliates, which could materially and adversely affect our shareholders or our company.
 
Sinopec Group Company undertakes, from time to time and without our involvement, overseas investments and operations in the oil and gas industry, including exploration and production of oil and gas, refining and Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG, and chemical projects.  Sinopec Group Company’s overseas asset portfolio includes oil and gas development projects in Iran, Sudan and Syria, which countries are targets of U.S. sanctions administrated by OFAC and by the U.S. Department of State. In 2013, Sinopec International Petroleum E&P Hongkong Overseas Limited, a joint venture owned by Sinopec Group Company and us on an equal basis, acquired from Sinopec Group Company 49% interest in Taihu which is engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production business in Russia. Starting from 2014, OFAC imposed economic sanctions against Russia focusing on trading activities involving certain Russia’s financial and energy entities.  We currently do not believe that our investment in Taihu will result in any direct sanctions imposed by OFAC. However, events in or relating to Russia, including further trade restrictions and other sanctions, could adversely impact our investment in Russia. In addition, the United States may expand its sanctions regime to include other countries or regions where Sinopec Group Company or its affiliates, including us, may have assets or operations. We cannot predict the interpretation or implementation of government policy at the U.S. federal, state or local levels with respect to any current or future activities by Sinopec Group Company or its affiliates, including us, in countries or with individuals or entities that are the subject of U.S. sanctions.  Similarly, we cannot predict whether U.S. sanctions will be further tightened, or the impact that such actions may have on Sinopec Group Company and us.  It is possible that the United States could subject Sinopec Group Company and us to sanctions due to these activities.  Certain U.S. state and local governments and colleges have restrictions on the investment of public funds or endowment funds, respectively, in companies that are members of corporate groups with activities in certain countries that are the subject of U.S. sanctions. These investors may not wish to invest, and may divest their investment, in us because of our relationship with Sinopec Group Company and its investments and activities in those OFAC sanctioned countries. It is possible that, as a result of activities by Sinopec Group Company or its affiliates in countries that are the subject of U.S. sanctions, we may be subject to negative media or investor attention, which may distract management, consume internal resources and affect investors’ perception of our company.
 
Further, the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended, and other U.S. laws and Executive Orders, authorize the imposition of sanctions on companies that engage in certain activities in and with Iran, especially in Iran’s energy sector. It is possible that Sinopec Group Company or its affiliates engage in activities that are targeted for sanctions by U.S. laws. It is possible that the U.S. government would determine, and in the event that the U.S. government so determines, that Sinopec Group Company or an entity it owns or controls, had engaged in any such activities and if the most extreme sanction, blocking, was applied to Sinopec Group Company’s property, including controlled subsidiaries, Sinopec Group Company could be prohibited from engaging in business activities in the United States or with U.S. individuals or entities, and U.S. transactions in our securities and distributions to U.S. individuals and entities with respect to our securities could also be prohibited.
 
Risks Relating to the PRC
 
Government regulations may limit our activities and affect our business operations.
 
The PRC government, though gradually liberalizing its regulations on entry into the petroleum and petrochemical industry, continues to exercise certain controls over the petroleum and petrochemical industry in China. These control mechanisms include granting the licenses to explore and produce crude oil and natural gas, granting the licenses to market and distribute crude oil and refined petroleum products, regulating the upper limit of the retail prices for gasoline and diesel; collecting special oil income levies, deciding import and export quotas and procedures, setting safety, environmental and quality standards, and formulating policies to save energy and reduce emission; meanwhile, there could be potential changes to macroeconomic and industry policies such as further improvement of pricing mechanism of petroleum products, reforming and improvement of pricing mechanism of natural gas, and reforming in resource tax and environmental tax, which could impact our production and operations. Such control mechanisms may have material effects on our operations and profitability.
 
 
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On the other hand, the PRC government has been gradually relaxing the control over imports of crude oil and refined oil products, which may result in refining overcapacity in China and intensify competition among refining companies in China. Such relaxation of the import control may have material and adverse effects on our refining margin, including procurement cost of imported crude oil and lower prices of refined oil products.
 
The PRC governmental authorities, from time to time, audit or inspect our ultimate controlling shareholder. We cannot predict the impact if any, of their outcome on our reputation, business and financial condition as well as the trading prices of our ADSs and H shares.
 
The PRC governmental authorities, from time to time, perform audits, inspections, inquiries or similar actions on state-owned companies, such as Sinopec Group Company, our ultimate controlling shareholder. Such inspections are not conducted on a regular basis with specific targets, and therefore we cannot predict the outcome of these governmental activities. If, as a result of such audits, inspections or inquiries, (i) material irregularities are found within Sinopec Group Company or us or our employees or (ii) Sinopec Group Company or we become the target of any negative publicity, our reputation, business and financial condition as well as the trading prices of our ADSs and H shares may be materially and negatively impacted.
 
Our business operations may be adversely affected by present or future environmental regulations.
 
As an integrated petroleum and petrochemical company, we are subject to extensive environmental protection laws and regulations in China. These laws and regulations permit:
 
 
·
the imposition of fees for the discharge of waste substances;
 
 
·
the levy of fines and payments for damages for serious environmental offenses;
 
 
·
the government, at its discretion, to close any facility which fails to comply with orders and require it to correct or stop operations causing environmental damage; and
 
 
·
litigations and liabilities arising from pollutions and damages to the environment and public interests.
 
Our production activities produce substantial amounts of liquid, gas and solid waste materials. In addition, our production facilities require operating permits that are subject to renewal, modification and revocation. We have established a system to treat waste materials to prevent and reduce pollution. However, the PRC government has moved, and may move further, toward more rigorous enforcement of applicable laws, and toward the adoption of more stringent environmental standards, which, in turn, would require us to incur additional expenditures on environmental matters.
 
In recent years, we have commenced exploration and production of unconventional oil and gas resources, such as shale oil and gas and coal bed methane, through the application of relatively advanced and expensive technologies. As a result, our unconventional oil and gas operations are subject to the limitations of unproven technology and expose us to higher environmental compliance standards and requirements. In the event of any failure to comply with such standards and requirements, we may be subject to public concerns about our unconventional oil and gas operations, which may also harm our corporate reputation.
 
Some of our development plans require compliance with state policies and governmental regulation.
 
We are currently engaged in a number of construction, renovation and expansion projects. Some of our large construction, renovation and expansion projects are subject to governmental confirmation and registration. The timing and cost of completion of these projects will depend on numerous factors, including when we can receive the required confirmation and registration from relevant PRC government authorities and the general economic condition in China. If any of our key projects required for our future growth are not confirmed or registered, or not confirmed or registered in a timely manner, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
 
Government control of currency conversion and exchange rate fluctuation may adversely affect our operations and financial results.
 
We receive a significant majority of our revenues in Renminbi. A portion of such revenues will need to be converted into other currencies to meet our foreign currency needs, which include, among other things:
 
 
·
import of crude oil and other materials;
 
 
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·
debt service on foreign currency-denominated debt;
 
 
·
purchases of imported equipment;
 
 
·
payment of the principals and interests of bonds issued overseas; and
 
 
·
payment of any cash dividends declared in respect of the H shares (including ADS).
 
The existing foreign exchange regulations have significantly reduced government foreign exchange controls for transactions under the current account, including trade and service related foreign exchange transactions and payment of dividends.  Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, or to obtain foreign exchange.  The PRC government has stated publicly that it intends to make the Renminbi freely convertible in the future. However, we cannot predict whether the PRC government will continue its existing foreign exchange policy and when the PRC government will allow free conversion of Renminbi.
 
The exchange rate of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies fluctuates and is affected by, among other things, the changes in the PRC’s and international political and economic conditions.  On July 21, 2005, the PRC government introduced a floating exchange rate system to allow the value of the Renminbi to fluctuate within a regulated band based on market supply and demand and by reference to a basket of foreign currencies. On June 19, 2010, the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”) decided to further promote the reform of exchange rate regime and enhance the flexibility of Renminbi exchange rate. Most of our crude oil purchases are settled in foreign currencies calculated on the basis of prices in U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollars and certain other foreign currencies may adversely affect our oil and gas business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Risks relating to enforcement of shareholder rights; Mandatory arbitration.
 
Currently, the primary sources of shareholder rights are our articles of association, the PRC Company Law and the Listing Rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which, among other things, impose certain standards of conduct, fairness and disclosure on us, our directors and our controlling shareholder. In general, their provisions for protection of shareholder’s rights and access to information are different from those applicable to companies incorporated in the United States, the United Kingdom and other Western countries. In addition, the mechanism for enforcement of rights under the corporate framework to which we are subject may also be relatively undeveloped and untested. To our knowledge, there has not been any published report of judicial enforcement in the PRC by H share shareholders of their rights under constituent documents of joint stock limited companies or the PRC Company Law or in the application or interpretation of the PRC or Hong Kong regulatory provisions applicable to PRC joint stock limited companies. We cannot guarantee that our shareholders will enjoy protections that they may be entitled in other jurisdictions.
 
China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the United States, the United Kingdom or most other Western countries, and therefore recognition and enforcement in China of judgments of a court in any of these jurisdictions in relation to any matter not subject to a binding arbitration provision may not be assured. Our articles of association as well as the Listing Rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange provide that most disputes between holders of H shares and us, our directors, supervisors, officers or holders of domestic shares, arising out of the articles of association or the PRC Company Law concerning the affairs of our company, are to be resolved through arbitration by arbitration organizations in Hong Kong or the PRC, rather than through a court of law. On June 18, 1999, an arrangement was made between Hong Kong and the PRC for the mutual enforcement of arbitral awards. This new arrangement was approved by the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC and the Hong Kong Legislative Council, and became effective on February 1, 2000. We are uncertain as to the outcome of any action brought in China to enforce an arbitral award granted to shareholders.
 
Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
 
Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. Because our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of
 
 
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the PRC authorities, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms, is currently not inspected by PCAOB.
 
Inspections of other firms that PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in China may prevent PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor’s audits and quality control procedures. The inability of PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.
 
Additional remedial measures imposed on certain PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in proceedings brought by the SEC alleging the firms’ failure to meet specific criteria, could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
 
In December 2012, the SEC brought administrative proceedings against the “Big Four” accounting firms in China, including our independent registered public accounting firm, alleging that these firms had refused to produce audit work papers and other documents related to certain other China-based companies whose securities are publicly traded in the United States. On January 22, 2014, an initial administrative law decision was issued, censuring these accounting firms and barring these firms from practicing before the SEC for a period of six months. The decision is neither final nor legally effective unless and until it is endorsed by the SEC. In February 2015, each of the four PRC-based accounting firms agreed to a censure and to pay a settlement fine to the SEC to settle the dispute and avoid suspension of their ability to practice before the SEC. The settlement requires the firms to follow detailed procedures to seek to provide the SEC with access to Chinese firms’ audit documents via the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “CSRC”) in response to future document requests by the SEC made through the CSRC.  If the firms fail to comply with the documentation production procedures that set forth in the settlement agreement or if these required information fails to be provided to the SEC by the CSRC for reasons out of these firms’ control, the SEC could impose penalties such as suspensions, or it could restart the administrative proceedings.
 
In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined to not be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about the proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, United States-listed companies and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.
 
If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delay or abandonment of this offering, delisting of our ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of our ADSs in the United States.
 
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
 
 
A.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
 
Our legal and commercial name is China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. Our head office is located at 22 Chaoyangmen North Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100728, the People’s Republic of China, our telephone number is (8610) 5996-0028 and our fax number is (8610) 5996-0386. We have appointed our representative office in the United States, located at 410 Park Avenue, 6/F, New York, NY 10022, USA (telephone number: (212) 759-5085; fax number: (212) 759-6882) as our agent for service of processes for actions brought under the U.S. securities laws.
 
We were established as a joint stock limited company on February 25, 2000 under the Company Law of the PRC with Sinopec Group Company as the sole shareholder at our inception. Our principal businesses consist of petroleum and petrochemical businesses transferred to us by Sinopec Group Company pursuant to a reorganization agreement.  Such businesses include:
 
 
·
exploration for, development, production and marketing of crude oil and natural gas;
 
 
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·
refining of crude oil and marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products, including transportation, storage, trading, import and export of petroleum products; and
 
 
·
production and sales of petrochemical products.
 
Sinopec Group Company’s continuing activities consist, among other things, of:
 
 
·
exploring and developing oil and gas reserves overseas;
 
 
·
operating certain petrochemical facilities and small capacity refineries;
 
 
·
providing geophysical exploration, and well drilling, survey, logging and downhole operational services;
 
 
·
manufacturing production equipment and providing equipment maintenance services;
 
 
·
providing construction services;
 
 
·
providing utilities, such as electricity and water; and
 
 
·
providing other operational services including transportation services.
 
Sinopec Group Company transferred the businesses to us either by transferring its equity holdings in subsidiaries or by transferring their assets and liabilities. Sinopec Group Company also agreed in the reorganization agreement to transfer to us its exploration and production licenses and all rights and obligations under the agreements in connection with its core businesses transferred to us. The employees relating to these assets were also transferred to us.
 
In order to expand our core businesses, prevent competition between us and members of Sinopec Group and reduce related party transactions, between 2001 and 2009 we have acquired Sinopec National Star Petroleum Company, Sinopec Group Maoming Petrochemical Company, Tahe Oilfield Petrochemical Factory and Xi’an Petrochemical Main Factory, certain Petrochemical and Catalyst Assets, certain Refinery Plants and certain service stations, certain Oil Production Plants, Sinopec Hainan and certain downhole operation assets, 100% equity interest of Sinopec Qingdao Petrochemical Company Limited and certain other assets relating to exploration and production, refining and marketing and distribution segments and assets of certain research institutes from Sinopec Group Company. We have also sold and disposed of certain auxiliary assets and chemical assets. In addition, we completed the privatization of Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and Sinopec Zhenhai Refinery and Chemicals Co., Ltd. and the tender offers for the acquisition of publicly-held A-shares of four subsidiaries formerly listed on stock exchanges in China, namely Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Sinopec Zhongyuan Petroleum Co., Ltd., and Shengli Oil Field Dynamic Co., Ltd.
 
In 2010, we acquired a 55% equity interest of SSI, from Sinopec Overseas Oil & Gas Limited, a subsidiary of Sinopec Group Company, for a cash consideration of US$1.678 billion. SSI owns a 50% interest in Angola Block 18.
 
In 2011, we issued RMB 23 billion convertible bonds which are convertible into our A shares. As of December 31, 2014, an aggregate of 1,832,955,041 A shares have been converted from these convertible bonds. As of February 17, 2015, an aggregate of 4,623,769,047 A shares have been converted from these convertible bonds. On the same date, we exercised our redemption right and redeemed all the outstanding amount of these convertible bonds.
 
In 2012, we received from Sinopec Group Company an undertaking to avoid its competition with us.  For details, please refer to the descriptions under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders”.
 
On February 14, 2013, we completed a placing of an aggregate of 2,845,234,000 new H shares at a price of HK$8.45 per share. The net proceeds from such placing are approximately HK$23.97 billion.
 
In 2013, Sinopec International Petroleum E&P Hongkong Overseas Limited, a joint venture owned by Sinopec Group Company and us on an equal basis, acquired from Sinopec Group Company (i) 50% interest in Caspian Investment Resources Ltd. (“CIR”), (ii) 49% interest in Taihu Limited (“Taihu”), and (iii) 50% interest in Mansarovar Energy Colombia Ltd. (“Mansarovar”), for a cash consideration of US$2.711 billion in the aggregate. Each of CIR, Taihu and Mansarovar is engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production business, with CIR based in Kazakhstan, Taihu in Russia and Mansarovar in Colombia.
 
 
20

 

On February 19, 2014, our board of directors unanimously approved a proposal to restructure our marketing and distribution business and to diversify the ownership of this segment by way of introducing private capital investments, pursuant to which the shareholding percentage for private investors will be determined according to the market conditions. Our board of directors authorized our Chairman, for so long as the aggregate shareholding percentage of private investors does not exceed 30%, to determine the investors, their respective shareholding percentages and the terms and conditions of their participation in the marketing segment and to organize the implementation of the plans for such participation. In April 2014, our ownership, management and control of the assets in the marketing and distribution segment have been transferred to Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd., one of our wholly owned subsidiaries. On September 12, 2014, Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd. entered into a capital injection agreement with 25 domestic and foreign investors, pursuant to which the investors will subscribe for certain equity interest in Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd. As of March 6, 2015, the 25 investors have made an aggregate capital contribution of RMB 105.04 billion, representing 29.58% equity interest in Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd.
 
On September 12, 2014, in connection with our plan to spin off Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Company Limited (“Yizheng Chemical”), in which we originally owned 40.25% equity interest, we entered into a disposal agreement and a share repurchase agreement with Yizheng Chemical, pursuant to which Yizheng Chemical agreed to transfer to us all of its assets and liabilities. As consideration, our 40.25% equity interest in Yizheng Chemical was repurchased and cancelled by Yizheng Chemical. Subsequently, through a series of inter-group company restructuring steps, Yizheng Chemical was spun off from us in December 2014.
 
On October 30, 2014, Sinopec Overseas Investment Holdings Limited (“SOI”) and Sinopec Chemical Commercial Holdings Company Limited (“SCC”), two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into acquisition agreements with two subsidiaries of Sinopec Group Company, pursuant to which SOI and SCC acquired 99% and 1% membership interests in Sinopec Century Bright Capital Investment (Netherlands) Cooperation U.A. (“COOP”), respectively, from the two subsidiaries of Sinopec Group Company with an aggregate consideration of US$562 million. Upon completion of the acquisition, we indirectly held 100% interest in COOP, which holds 37.5% interest in Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (YASREF) Limited (“YASREF”). The remaining 62.5% interest in YASREF is held by Saudi Arabian Oil Company. YASREF is mainly engaged in the production and sale of gasoline and diesel oil, petroleum coke and sulfur, benzene and other products in Saudi Abrabia and has a designed processing capability of 3,890 thousand barrels per day, with Saudi Abrabia heavy oil as raw material.
 
 
B.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
 
Exploration and Production
 
Overview
 
We currently explore for, develop and produce crude oil and natural gas in a number of areas in China and overseas. As of December 31, 2014, we held 197 production licenses in China, with an aggregate acreage of 22,912 square kilometers and with terms ranging from 10 to 80 years. Our production licenses may be renewed upon our application at least 30 days prior to the expiration date, which are renewable for unlimited times. During the term of our production license, we pay an annual production license fee of RMB 1,000 per square kilometer.
 
As of December 31, 2014, we held 288 exploration licenses in China for various blocks in which we engaged in exploration activities, with an aggregate acreage of approximately 960,981 square kilometers and with the maximum term of seven years. Our exploration licenses may be renewed upon our application at least 30 days prior to the expiration date, with each renewal for a maximum two-year term. We are obligated to make an annual minimum exploration investment in each of the exploration blocks which we obtained the exploration licenses. We are also obligated to pay an annual exploration license fee ranging from RMB 100 to RMB 500 per square kilometer. Under the PRC laws and regulations, however, we are entitled for reduction and exemption of exploration license fee for exploration in the western region, northeast region and offshore of China.
 
As of December 31, 2014, our overseas subsidiary held two production licenses, with an aggregate acreage of 323 square kilometers. It currently does not have exploration licenses. Our overseas equity-accounted investments held 70 production licenses, with an aggregate acreage of 4,686 square kilometers, and two exploration licenses.
 
Properties
 
We currently operate 16 oil and gas production fields in China, each of which consists of many oil and gas producing fields and blocks.
 
 
21

 

Shengli production field is our most important crude oil production field. It consists of 70 producing blocks of various sizes extending over an area of 2,564 square kilometers in northern Shandong province, all of which are our net developed acreage. Most of Shengli’s blocks are located in the Jiyang trough with various oil producing layers. In 2014, Shengli production field produced 198 million barrels of crude oil and 17.66 billion cubic feet of natural gas, with an average daily production of 550 thousand BOE.
 
As of December 31, 2014, the total acreage of our oil and gas producing fields and blocks in China was 10,580 square kilometers, including 8,383 square kilometers of developed acreage, all of which were net developed acreage; and 2,197 square kilometers of gross undeveloped acreage, all of which were net undeveloped acreage.
 
As of December 31, 2014, the total acreage of our oil and gas producing fields and blocks of our overseas subsidiary was 323 square kilometers, including 169 square kilometers of developed acreage, of which 57 square kilometers were net developed acreage; and 154 square kilometers of gross undeveloped acreage, of which 52 square kilometers were net undeveloped acreage.
 
As of December 31, 2014, the total acreage of our oil and gas producing fields and blocks of our overseas equity-accounted investments was 1,768 square kilometers, including 1,546 square kilometers of developed acreage, of which 650 square kilometers were net developed acreage; and 222 square kilometers of gross undeveloped acreage, of which 62 square kilometers were net undeveloped acreage.
 
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
 
As of December 31, 2014, our estimated proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas in China were 3,819 million BOE (including 2,700 million barrels of crude oil and 6,715 billion cubic feet of natural gas), and our estimated proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas outside of China, which included a share of the estimated proved reserves of our equity-accounted investments, were 353.5 million BOE. Our estimated proved reserves do not include additional quantities recoverable beyond the term of the relevant production licenses, or that may result from extensions of currently proved areas, or from application of improved recovery processes not yet tested and determined to be economical.
 
The following tables set forth our proved developed and undeveloped crude oil and natural gas reserves by region as of December 31, 2014.

   
As of December 31, 2014
 
Crude Oil Proved Reserves
 
(in millions of barrels)
 
       
Developed
     
Subsidiaries
     
China
     
Shengli
    1,917  
Others
    548  
Overseas(1)  
    64  
Subtotal
    2,529  
Equity-accounted investments
       
Overseas(2)
    253  
Subtotal
    253  
Total Developed
    2,782  
Undeveloped
       
Subsidiaries
       
China
       
Shengli
    105  
Others
    130  
Overseas(1)
    8  
Subtotal
    243  
Equity-accounted investments
       
Overseas(2)
    23  
Subtotal
    23  
Total Undeveloped
    266  
Total Proved Reserves
    3,048  
 
 
22

 


   
As of December 31, 2014
 
Natural Gas Proved Reserves
 
(in billions of cubic feet)
 
       
Developed
     
Subsidiaries
     
China
     
Puguang
    2,663  
Others(1)
    3,324  
Overseas
    -  
Subtotal
    5,987  
Equity-accounted investments
       
Overseas(2)
    24  
Subtotal
    24  
Total Developed
    6,011  
Undeveloped
       
Subsidiaries
       
China
       
Puguang
    -  
Others
    728  
Overseas(1)
    -  
Subtotal
    728  
Equity-accounted investments
       
Overseas(2)
    2  
Subtotal
    2  
Total Undeveloped
    730  
Total Proved Reserves
    6,741  
 ______________________
(1)
In 2010, we acquired from Sinopec Group Company part of its interests in Angola Block 18. The proved reserves amount of our overseas subsidiary is the net reserves amount of SSI after deducting the government’s amount-sharing. We hold a 55% equity interests in SSI.
(2)
In 2013, a joint venture, owned by Sinopec Group Company and us on an equal basis, acquired from Sinopec Group Company (i) 50% interest in CIR, (ii) 49% interest in Taihu, and (iii) 50% interest in Mansarovar. The proved reserves amount reflects the joint venture’s shares in CIR, Taihu and Mansarovar.

As of December 31, 2014, approximately 266 million barrels of our crude oil proved reserves and 730 billion cubic feet of our natural gas proved reserves were classified as proved undeveloped reserves in China and overseas, among which approximately 4.67 million barrels of our crude oil proved reserves and 62.87 billion cubic feet of our natural gas proved reserves in China were classified as proved undeveloped reserves for more than five years, due to international factors. These reserves are mostly located in our Shanghai branch.

During 2014, a total of 1,427 wells were drilled by us in China and 323 wells were drilled overseas. We converted 144 million barrels of proved undeveloped crude oil reserves and 182 billion cubic feet of proved undeveloped natural gas reserves into proved developed reserves in 2014. Total capital expenditure incurred in converting proved undeveloped reserves into proved developed reserves amounted to RMB 5,366 million, including RMB 4.1 billion and RMB 1,266 million incurred in connection with our operations in China and overseas, respectively, in 2014.

We manage our reserves estimation through a two-tier management system. Our Oil and Natural Gas Reserves Management Committee, or the RMC, at our headquarters level oversees the overall reserves estimation process and reviews the reserves estimation of our company. Each of our Branches has a reserves management committee that manages the reserves estimation process and reviews the reserves estimation report at the branches level.

Our RMC is chaired by Mr. Wang Zhigang, one of our senior vice presidents, and is co-led by our deputy chief geologist and our director general of our exploration and production segment. Mr. Wang holds a Ph.D. degree in geology from Geology and Geo-physics Research Institute of the China Academy of Science and has over 30 years of experience in oil and gas industry. Our RMC also consists of 31 other members who are senior management members in charge of exploration and development activities at production bureau level. A majority of our RMC members hold doctor’s or master’s degrees and our RMC members have an average of 20 years of technical experience in relevant industry fields, such as geology, engineering and economics.

 
23

 

Our reserves estimation is guided by procedural manuals and technical guidance. Initial collection and compilation of reserves information are conducted by different working divisions, including exploration, development, financial and legal divisions, at production bureau level. Exploration and development divisions collectively prepare the initial report on reserves estimation. Together with technical experts, reserves management committees at production bureau level then review to ensure the qualitative and quantitative compliance with technical guidance and accuracy and reasonableness of the reserves estimation. At headquarter level, the RMC is primarily responsible for the management and coordination of the reserves estimation process, review and approval of annual changes and results in reserves estimation and disclosure of our proved reserves. We also engage outside consultants who assist us to be in compliance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. Our reserves estimation process is further facilitated by a specialized reserves database which is improved and updated periodically.

Oil and Natural Gas Production
 
In 2014, we produced an average of 1,177 thousand BOE per day in China, of which approximately 72.38% was crude oil and 27.62% was natural gas. We produced an average of 139 thousand BOE per day overseas, of which 98.6% was crude oil and 1.4% was natural gas.

The following tables set forth our average daily production of crude oil and natural gas sold for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The production of crude oil includes condensate.

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(in thousands of barrels)
 
Average Daily Crude Oil Production
                 
China
                 
Shengli
    536       540       542  
Others
    304       312       310  
Overseas
                       
Subsidiary(1)
    59       59       42  
Equity-accounted investments(2)
    -       10       95  
Total Crude Oil Production                                                                             
    899       921       989  

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(in millions of cubic feet)
 
Average Daily Natural Gas Production
                 
China
                 
Puguang
    732       784       761  
Others
    905       1024       1,190  
Overseas
    -       -       11  
Total Natural Gas Production                                                                             
    1,637       1,808       1,962  

______________________
(1)
The average daily production of our overseas subsidiary is the net production of SSI after deducting the government’s sharing of production. We hold 55% equity interest of SSI.
(2)
The average daily production of our equity-accounted investments reflects our shares of the production in CIR, Taihu and Mansarovar, starting from our acquisition in 2013 of (i) 50% interest in CIR, (ii) 49% interest in Taihu, and (iii) 50% interest in Mansarovar, through a joint venture owned by Sinopec Group Company and us.
 
Lifting Cost & Realized Prices
 
The following table sets forth our average lifting costs per BOE of crude oil produced, average sales prices per barrel of crude oil and average sales prices per thousand cubic meters of natural gas for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 
24

 
 
   
Weighted Average
   
China
   
Overseas(1)
 
   
(RMB)
 
For the year ended December 31, 2014
                 
Average petroleum lifting cost per BOE
    113.1       113.4       105.07  
Average realized sales price
                       
Per barrel of crude oil
    554.71       552.73       597.24  
Per thousand cubic meters of natural gas
    1,598.99       1,598.99       -  
For the year ended December 31, 2013
                       
Average petroleum lifting cost per BOE
    112.56       113.63       91.27  
Average realized sales price
                       
Per barrel of crude oil
    590.86       584.35       671.17  
Per thousand cubic meters of natural gas
    1,359.23       1,359.23       -  
For the year ended December 31, 2012
                       
Average petroleum lifting cost per BOE
    110.64       111.47       92.55  
Average realized sales price
                       
Per barrel of crude oil
    632.51       625.79       704.17  
Per thousand cubic meters of natural gas
    1,291.65       1,291.65       -  
_______________________
(1)
The exchange rates we used for overseas data in this table was the average exchange rates for each year ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, which were RMB 6.3125 to US$1.00, RMB 6.1928 to US$ 1.00, and RMB 6.1428 to US$1.00, respectively.

Exploration and Development Activities
 
In 2014, we made remarkable progresses in our exploration and development activities by leveraging our management and innovation capabilities. We accelerated the development progress of Fuling shale gas project, which is the first large-scale shale gas field in China. We continue making steady growth in our crude oil and natural gas production while having the increase of per unit production cost effectively contained. With respect to our oil exploration, we enhanced our exploration efficiency by optimizing the reserves utilization in new fields, increasing the recovery rate in mature fields and effectively curbing the growth in lifting costs. With respect to our natural gas production, we strengthen our management in Puguang and adjusted our marketing and sales strategy to increase sales volumes. With respect to our shale gas development, the first phase of our Fuling project with a production capacity of 5 billion cubic meters is under construction and the average daily production of our production wells in Fuling have surpassed our expected output. In 2014, we added 431 million barrels to our proved oil reserves.

The following table sets forth the numbers of our exploratory and development wells, including a breakdown of productive wells and dry wells we drilled during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

   
Total
   
China
   
Overseas
 
         
Shengli
   
Others
   
Subsidiary
   
Equity-accounted investments
 
For the year ended December 31, 2014
                             
Exploratory
                             
Productive
    337       141       193       -       3  
Dry
    187       64       123       -       -  
Development
                                       
Productive
    3,964       2,027       1,614       6       317  
Dry
    56       30       26       -       -  
For the year ended December 31, 2013
                                       
Exploratory
                                       
Productive
    350       112       238       -       -  
Dry
    352       96       256       -       -  
Development
                                       
Productive
    4,513       2,490       2,016       5       2  
Dry
    83       39       44       -       -  
For the year ended December 31, 2012
                                       
Exploratory
                                       
Productive
    329       101       228       -       -  
Dry
    682       89       593       -       -  
Development
                                       
Productive
    3,583       2,047       1,532       4       -  
Dry
    35       6       29       -       -  
 
 
25

 
 
The following table sets forth the number of wells being drilled by us as of December 31, 2014, as compared to December 31, 2013:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
 
China
                       
Shengli
    93       93       63       63  
Others
    174       174       247       246  
Overseas
                               
Subsidiary
    1       -       1       -  
Equity-accounted investments
    1       -       2       1  
Total Wells Drilling
    269       267       313       310  

The following table sets forth our number of productive wells for crude oil and natural gas as of December 31, 2014, as compared to December 31, 2013:

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
 
Productive Wells for Crude Oil
 
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
 
China
                       
Shengli
    28,844       28,844       30,534       30,534  
Others
    17,281       17,281       18,058       18,058  
Overseas
                               
Subsidiary
    23       7       25       8  
Equity-accounted investments              
    1,604       468       7,102       2,778  
Total
    47,752       46,600       55,719       51,378  

   
As of December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
 
Productive Wells for Natural Gas
 
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
 
China
                       
Puguang
    53       53       54       54  
Others
    4,179       4,159       4,496       4,471  
Overseas
    -       -       -       -  
Total
    4,232       4,212       4,550       4,525  

Refining
 
Overview
 
In 2014, our refinery throughputs were approximately 235 million tonnes. We produce a full range of refined petroleum products. The following table sets forth our production of our principal refined petroleum products for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(in million tonnes)
 
Gasoline
    40.55       45.56       51.22  
Diesel
    77.39       77.40       74.26  
Kerosene and jet fuel
    15.01       17.43       20.75  
Light chemical feedstock
    36.33       37.97       39.17  
Liquefied petroleum gas
    9.92       10.56       11.25  
Fuel oil
    2.38       3.17       2.48  
 
 
26

 

Gasoline and diesel are our largest revenue producing products, and are sold mostly through our marketing and distribution segment through both wholesale and retail channels. We use most of our production of chemical feedstock as feedstock for our own chemical operations. Most of our refined petroleum products were sold in China to a wide variety of industrial and agricultural customers, and a small amount are exported.
 
Refining Facilities
 
Currently we operate 34 refineries in China. As of December 31, 2014, our total primary distillation capacity of crude oil was 292.40 million tonnes per annum.
 
The following table sets forth our total primary distillation capacity per annum of crude oil and refinery throughputs as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
 
   
As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
Primary distillation capacity of crude oil (million tonnes per annum)
    260.90       282.20       292.40  
Refinery throughputs (million tonnes)
    221.31       231.95       235.38  
_______________________
Notes:
(1) The primary distillation capacity and refinery throughputs of joint ventures are fully included in our statistics.
(2) When calculating refinery throughputs, conversion from tonnes to barrels are made at a rate of one tonne to 7.35 barrels.

In 2014, measured by the total output from our refineries, our gasoline yield was 21.76%, diesel yield was 31.55%, kerosene yield was 8.82%, and light chemical feedstock yield was 16.65%. Other products include lubricant, liquefied petroleum gas, solvent, asphalt, petroleum coke, paraffin and fuel oil. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, our overall yield for all refined petroleum products at our refineries was 95.15%, 94.82% and 94.66% , respectively.
 
The following table sets forth the primary distillation capacity per annum as of December 31, 2014 of each of our refineries with the primary distillation capacity of 8 million tonnes or more per annum.
 
Refinery
 
Primary Distillation Capacity as of December 31, 2014
   
(in million tonnes per annum)
Maoming
 
23.50
Zhenhai
 
23.00
Jinling
 
21.00
Shanghai
 
16.00
Qilu
 
14.00
Fujian
 
14.00
Yangzi
 
14.00
Tianjin
 
13.80
Yanshan
 
13.50
Guangzhou
 
13.20
Gaoqiao
 
13.00
Qingdao
 
12.00
Changling
 
11.50
Shijiazhuang
 
10.00
Hainan
 
9.20
Luoyang
 
8.00
Wuhan
 
8.00
Anqing
 
8.00
 
 
27

 

In 2014, our primary distillation capacity of crude oil increased by 10.2 million tonnes per annum, which included an increase of 5.5 million tonnes per annum in the distillation capacity of sour crude. In addition, in 2014, our hydrofining capacity increased by 17.1 million tonnes per annum. The revamping projects for a number of refining facilities to improve refined petroleum product quality were also completed and put into operation.
 
Source of crude oil
 
In 2014, approximately 82.5% of the crude oil required for our refinery business was sourced from international suppliers.
 
Marketing and Sales of Refined Petroleum Products
 
Overview
 
We operate the largest sales and distribution network for refined petroleum products in China. In 2014, we distributed and sold approximately 170.97 million tonnes of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and kerosene.  Most of the refined petroleum products sold by us are produced internally. In 2014, approximately 81.1% of our gasoline sales volume and approximately 75.2% of our diesel sales volumes were produced internally.
 
The table below sets forth a summary of key data in the marketing and sales of refined petroleum products in the years of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
Total sales volume of refined petroleum products
    173.15       179.99       189.17  
(in million tonnes)                        
Domestic sales volume of refined petroleum products
    158.99       165.42       170.97  
(in million tonnes)
                       
Retail
    107.85       113.73       117.84  
Wholesale and Distribution
    51.14       51.69       53.13  
Average annual throughput of service stations (in tonnes per station)
    3,498       3,707       3,858  
                         
   
As of December 31,
 
      2012       2013       2014  
Total number of service stations under Sinopec brand
    30,836       30,536       30,551  
Self-operated service stations
    30,823       30,523       30,538  

 
Retail
 
All of our retail sales are made through a network of service stations and petroleum shops operated under the Sinopec brand. Through this unified network we are more able to implement consistent pricing policies, maintain both product and service quality standards and more efficiently deploy our retail network.
 
In 2014, we sold approximately 117.84 million tonnes of gasoline, diesel and kerosene through our retail network, representing approximately 68.9% of our total domestic gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and kerosene sales volume. Our retail network mainly consists of service stations that are wholly-owned and operated by us, and jointly-owned and generally operated or leased by us, all of which are operated under the Sinopec brand. We also franchised the Sinopec brand to third parties services stations. As of December 31, 2014, we had 13 franchised service stations that are owned and operated by third parties. In 2014, the average annual throughput of our service stations increased by 4.1% from 2013, and we have further strengthened our leading position in our principal market, and further improved our brand awareness and customer loyalty.
 
 
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Wholesale and Distribution
 
In 2014, we sold approximately 53.13 million tonnes of refined petroleum products, including 4.95 million tonnes of gasoline, 13.14 million tonnes of diesel and 35.04 million tonnes of kerosene, through wholesale and distribution to long-term large-scale end users and independent distributors such as domestic industrial enterprises, railways, airlines, hotels, restaurants and agricultural producers.
 
For our wholesale and distribution business, we operate 383 storage facilities with a total capacity of approximately 16.20 million cubic meters, substantially all of which are wholly-owned by us. These storage facilities are connected to our refineries by railway, waterway and pipelines. We also own some dedicated railways, oil wharfs and oil barges, as well as a number of rail tankers and oil trucks.
 
Chemicals
 
Overview
 
We are the largest petrochemicals producer in China. We produce a full range of petrochemical products including intermediate petrochemicals, synthetic resins, synthetic fiber monomers and polymers, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber and chemical fertilizers. Synthetic resins, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber and some intermediate petrochemicals comprise a significant majority of our external sales. Synthetic fiber monomers and polymers and intermediate petrochemicals, on the other hand, are mostly internally consumed as feedstock for the production of other chemical products. Our chemical operations are integrated with our refining businesses, which supply a significant portion of our chemical feedstock such as naphtha. We also adjust our petrochemical production lines by strategic investments.
 
Products
 
Intermediate Petrochemicals
 
We are the largest ethylene producer in China. Our rated ethylene capacity as of December 31, 2014 was 10.37 million tonnes per annum. In 2014, we produced 10.70 million tonnes of ethylene. Nearly all of our olefins production is used as feedstock for our petrochemical operations.
 
We produce aromatics mainly in the forms of benzene and para-xylene, which are used primarily as feedstock for purified terephthalic acid, or PTA, the preferred raw material for polyester. We are the largest aromatics producer in China.
 
Chemicals extracted from olefins and aromatics are mainly used to produce synthetic resins, synthetic rubber and synthetic fibers, as well as intermediate petrochemicals.
 
The following table sets forth our rated capacity per annum, production volume and major plants of production as of or for the year ended December 31, 2014 for our principal intermediate petrochemical products.
 
   
Our Rated Capacity
   
Our Production
 
Major Plants of Production
   
(thousand tonnes per annum)
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
Ethylene
    10,370       10,698  
Yanshan, Shanghai, Yangzi, Qilu, Maoming, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Zhongyuan, SECCO*, BASF-YPC*, Fujian*, Zhongsha (Tianjing)*, Zhenhai and Sino-Korean (Wuhan)*
Propylene
    9,610       8,887  
Yanshan, Shanghai, Yangzi, Qilu, Maoming, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Zhongyuan, SECCO*, BASF-YPC*, Gaoqiao, Anqing, Jinan, Jingmen, Fujian*, Zhongsha (Tianjing)*, Zhenhai and Sino-Korean (Wuhan)*
Benzene
    5,256       3,996  
Yanshan, Shanghai, Yangzi, Qilu, Guangzhou, Zhenhai, Tianjin, Luoyang, SECCO* and BASF-YPC*
Styrene
    2,126       2,003  
Yanshan, Qilu, Guangzhou, Maoming, SECCO* and Zhenhai
Para-xylene
    4,839       4,791  
Shanghai, Yangzi, Qilu, Tianjin, Luoyang, Zhenhai, Jinling, Fujian* and Hainan
Phenol
    608       630  
Yanshan, Gaoqiao and Zhongsha (Tianjin)
_______________________
* Joint ventures, of which the production capacities and outputs are fully included in our statistics.

 
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Synthetic Resins
 
We are the largest producer of polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene and supplier of major synthetic resins products in China.
 
The following table sets forth our rated capacity per annum, production volumes and major plants of production for each of our principal synthetic resins as of or for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
   
Our Rated Capacity
   
Our Production
 
Major Plants of Production
   
(thousand tonnes per annum)
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
Polyethylene
    6,889       7,111  
Yanshan, Shanghai, Yangzi, Qilu, Maoming, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Zhongyuan, SECCO*, BASF-YPC*, Fujian*, Zhongsha (Tianjing)*, Zhenhai and Sino-Korean (Wuhan)*
Polypropylene
    6,605       6,212  
Yanshan, Shanghai, Yangzi, Qilu, Guangzhou, Maoming, Tianjin, Zhongyuan, SECCO*,  Jingmen, Fujian*, Zhongsha (Tianjing)*, Zhenhai and Sino-Korean (Wuhan)*
Polyvinyl chloride
    600       224  
Qilu
Polystyrene
    750       649  
Yanshan, Qilu, Maoming, Guangzhou, BASF-YPC* and SECCO*
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
    200       108  
Gaoqiao
_______________________
* Joint ventures, of which the production capacities and outputs are fully included in our statistics.

Synthetic Fiber Monomers and Polymers
 
Our principal synthetic fiber monomers and polymers are purified terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol, acrylonitrile, caprolactam, polyester, polyethylene glycol and polyamide fiber. Based on our 2014 production, we are the largest producer of ethylene glycol and caprolactam in China.  Most of our production of synthetic fiber monomers and polymers are used as feedstock for synthetic fibers.
 
The following table sets forth our rated capacity per annum, our production volume and major plants of production as of or for the year ended December 31, 2014 for each type of our principal synthetic fiber monomers and polymers.
 
   
Our Rated Capacity
   
Our Production
 
Major Plants of Production
   
(thousand tonnes per annum)
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
Purified terephthalic acid
    3,119       2,476  
Shanghai, Yangzi, Yizheng, Tianjin and Luoyang
Ethylene glycol
    2,809       1,935  
Yanshan, Shanghai, Yangzi, Tianjin, Maoming, BASF-YPC*, Zhongsha (Tianjing)*, Zhenhai and Hubei
Acrylonitrile
    810       737  
Shanghai, Anqing, Qilu and SECCO*
Caprolactam
    660       530  
Shijiazhuang and Baling
Polyester                                     
    3,168       2,588  
Shanghai, Yizheng, Tianjin and Luoyang
_______________________
* Joint ventures, of which the production capacities and outputs are fully included in our statistics.

 
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Synthetic Fibers
 
We are the largest producer of acrylic fibers in China. Our principal synthetic fiber products are polyester fiber and acrylic fiber.
 
The following table sets forth our rated capacity per annum, production volume and major plants of production for each type of our principal synthetic fibers as of or for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
   
Our Rated Capacity
   
Our Production
 
Major Plants of Production
   
(thousand tonnes per annum)
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
Polyester fiber                                     
    1,227       1,053  
Yizheng, Shanghai, Tianjin and Luoyang
Acrylic fiber                                     
    265       257  
Shanghai, Anqing and Qilu

Synthetic Rubbers
 
Our principal synthetic rubbers are cis-polybutadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, or SBR, styrene butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer and isobutadiene isoprene rubber, or IIR. Based on our 2014 production, we are the largest producer of SBR and cis-polybutadiene rubber in China.
 
The following table sets forth our rated capacity per annum, production volume and major plants of production as of or for the year ended December 31, 2014 for each of our principal synthetic rubbers.
 
   
Our Rated Capacity
   
Our Production
 
Major Plants of Operation
   
(thousand tonnes per annum)
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
Cis-polybutadiene rubber
    540       418  
Yanshan, Qilu, Maoming and Gaoqiao
Styrene butadiene rubber
    430       403  
Yanshan, Qilu, Maoming and Gaoqiao and Yangzi
Styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomers
    140       93  
Yanshan and Maoming
Isobutylene isoprene rubber
    135       26  
Yanshan
Isoprene rubber
    30       0  
Yanshan

Synthetic Ammonia and Urea
 
We produce synthetic ammonia which is used to manufacture caprolactam and acrylic nitrile and for external sale. We have ceased production of urea in the first half of 2014.
 
The major companies of our production for synthetic ammonia for the year ended December 31, 2014 were Sinopec Anqing Company, Sinopec Baling Company and Sinopec Hubei Chemical Fertilizer Company.
 
Marketing and Sales of Petrochemicals
 
Most of our sales revenue come from China. Price and volume of petrochemical sales are primarily market driven. The southern and eastern regions in China, where most of our petrochemical plants are located, constitute the major petrochemical market in China. Our proximity to the major petrochemical market gives us a geographic advantage over our competitors.
 
Our principal sales and distribution channels consist of direct sales to end-users, most of which are large- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, and sales to distributors. We also provided after-sale services to our customers, including technical support. We continuously strive to improve our product mix and enhance our product quality to meet market needs.
 
 
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Competition
 
Refining and Marketing of Refined Petroleum Products
 
Market participants compete primarily on the basis of wide-established sales network and logistics system, quality of products and service, efficiency of operations including proximity to customers, awareness of brand name and price. While we constantly face competition from other market participants, we believe that we have a competitive advantage in our principal market against our competitors.
 
Chemicals
 
We compete with domestic and foreign chemicals producers in the chemicals market.  We believe our proximity to customers has given us significant geographical advantages. Most of our petrochemical production facilities are located in the eastern and southern regions in China, an area which has experienced higher economic growth rates in China in the past thirty years. Proximity of our production facilities to our markets has given us an advantage over our competitors in terms of easy access to our customers, resulting in lower transportation costs, more reliable delivery of products and better service to customers.
 
Patents and Trademarks
 
In 2014, we were granted 3,011 patents in China and overseas. As of December 31, 2014, we owned a total of 14,580 patents in China and overseas.
 
Business Operations Relating to Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012
 
In 2014, we sourced a small amount of crude oil from Iran, and such amount represented 4.1% of our total refinery throughputs. In addition, we engaged in a small amount of trading activities with an Iranian company with net profit of approximately US$1.62 million.

Based on feedback to our inquiries to Sinopec Group Company, our controlling shareholder, Sinopec Group Company engaged in a small amount of business activities in Iran such as providing engineering services and designs. Sales revenue from these business activities accounted for 0.018% of its total unaudited sales revenue.

Since we have performance obligations under our Iran-related contracts, we are legally required to continue our performance of part of Iran related contracts in 2015.

Regulatory Matters
 
Overview
 
China’s petroleum and petrochemical industry has seen significant liberalization in the past ten years. However, the exploration, production, marketing and distribution of crude oil and natural gas, as well as the production, marketing and distribution of certain refined petroleum products are still subject to regulation of many government agencies including:

National Development and Reform Commission (the “NDRC”)

The NDRC is responsible for formulating and implementing key policies in respect of petroleum and petrochemical industry, including:

 
·
Formulating guidance plan for annual production, import and export amount of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products nationwide based on its forecast on macro-economic conditions in China;
 
 
·
Setting the pricing policy for refined oil products;
 
 
·
Approving certain domestic and overseas resource investment projects which are subject to NDRC’s approval as required by the Catalogue of Investment Projects Approved by the Government (2014); and
 
The Ministry of Commerce (the “MOFCOM”)

 
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MOFCOM is responsible for examining and approving Sino-foreign equity joint venture contracts and Sino-foreign cooperation joint venture contracts for oil and gas development within the PRC. It is also responsible to issue the enterprise overseas investment certificate and quotas and licenses for import and export of crude oil and refined oil products.

In November 2010, we were approved by four Ministries including MOFCOM to become one of the first trial enterprises to cooperate with international business partners and develop coal bed methane  resources (MOFCOM Circular 984[2010]).

Ministry of Land and Resources (the “MLR”)

The MLR is responsible for issuing the licenses that are required to explore and produce crude oil and natural gas in China.

Regulation of Exploration and Production
 
Exploration and Production Rights
 
The PRC Constitution provides that all mineral and oil resources belong to the state. In 1986, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the Mineral Resources Law which authorizes the Ministry of Land and Resources, or the MLR, to exercise administrative authority over the exploration and production of the mineral and oil resources within the PRC, including its territorial waters. The Mineral Resources Law and its supplementary regulations provide the basic legal framework under which exploration licenses and production licenses are granted. The MLR has the authority to grant exploration licenses and production licenses on a competitive bidding or other basis it considers appropriate. Applicants for these licenses must be companies approved by the State Council to engage in oil and gas exploration and production activities.  Currently, only we, PetroChina, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Yanchang Petroleum Group Ltd. have received such exploration licenses and production licenses in oil and gas industry. In addition, pursuant to the Regulation on the Administration of Geological Survey Qualifications promulgated by the State Council, which became effective from July 1, 2008, any entity engaging in geological survey activities shall obtain a geological survey qualification certificate. Oil and natural gas survey qualifications, among others, shall be examined, approved and granted by the MLR.
 
Applicants for exploration licenses must first submit applications to the MLR with respect to blocks in which they intend to engage in exploration activities. The holder of an exploration license is obligated to make an annual minimum exploration investment and pay annual exploration license fees, ranging from RMB 100 to RMB 500 per square kilometer, relating to the exploration blocks in respect of which the license is issued. The maximum term of an exploration license for oil and natural gas is 7 years. The exploration license may be renewed upon application by the holder at least 30 days prior to expiration date, with each renewal for a maximum two-year term.
 
At the exploration stage, an applicant can also apply for a progressive exploration and production license that allows the holder to test and develop reserves not yet fully proved. The progressive exploration and production license for oil and natural gas has a maximum term of 15 years. When the reserves become proved for a block, the holder must apply for a full production license in order to undertake production.
 
The MLR issues full production licenses to applicants on the basis of the reserve reports approved by relevant authorities. The maximum term of a full production license is 30 years unless a special dispensation is given by the State Council. Due to a special dispensation granted to us by the State Council, the maximum term of our full production licenses is 80 years. The full production license is renewable upon application by the holder at least 30 days prior to expiration of the original term. A holder of the full production license has to pay an annual full production right usage fee of RMB 1,000 per square kilometer.
 
Exploration and production licenses do not grant the holders the right to enter upon any land for the purpose of exploration and production. Holders of exploration and production licenses must separately obtain the right to use the land covered by the licenses, and if permissible under applicable laws, current owners of the rights to use such land may transfer or lease the land to the license holder.
 
Incentives for Shale Gas Development
 
China National Energy Administration issued the Shale Gas Industry Policy (the “Policy”) on October 22, 2013, which classifies shale gas as a “national strategic new industry” and calls for more fiscal support for exploration and development of shale gas. In particular, according to the Notice on Introduction of Subsidy Policy for Development and
 
 
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Utilization of Shale Gas jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and China National Energy Administration, subsidies should be given directly to a shale gas production company according to the amount of its shale gas development and utilization. Local governments are also encouraged to provide subsidies to shale gas production companies, with the subsidy amount to be determined by local fiscal authorities.
 
Price Controls on Crude Oil
 
According to the Measures for Administration of Petroleum Products Price (Trial) issued by the NDRC on March 26, 2013, the crude oil price shall be determined by the enterprises on their own accord, by reference to the international market price. The price for supplying crude oil by us and CNPC to each other shall be determined by both the parties upon consultation in accordance with the principle that the cost for transporting domestic crude oil to the refinery is equivalent to the cost for importing crude oil from international market to the refinery. The price for providing crude oil by us and the CNPC to local refineries shall be determined in reference to the supply prices between the two corporations. The price of crude oil produced by CNOOC or other enterprises shall be determined on their own accord by reference to the international market price.
 
Price Controls on Natural Gas
 
In June, 2013, the NDRC released the Circular on Adjustment of the Price of Natural Gas (Fagai Jiage Circular 1246[2013]). Pursuant to the circular, a dynamic adjustment mechanism shall be established by linking prices of natural gas to the prices of alternative energy to reflect market demands. A reference ceiling price is set by the government bench-marked against city-gate price, and suppliers and buyers may determine the specific prices through negotiations below the price ceiling. The natural gas prices of stock gas and incremental gas shall be differentiated, and the price of incremental gas shall be adjusted in one-go to maintain a reasonable correlations with such alternative energies as fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas (with the weight of 60% and 40%); stock gas shall refer to the 2012 actual consumption amount, the price of stock gas shall be adjusted step by step to keep pace with the price of incremental gas, and great efforts shall be made to achieve full adjustment at the end of the “12th Five-Year Plan” period.  City-gate prices shall be applied to domestic onshore natural gas and imported pipeline natural gas.  Control over the ex-factory prices of shale gas, coal-bed gas, and coal gas and the gas source price of liquefied natural gas shall be lifted and such prices shall be determined by both the supplier and the buyer through negotiation. Where it is necessary to transmit such gases in a mixed manner in long-distance pipelines and sell them together, the uniform city-gate price shall be implemented; where such gases are transmitted in a mixed manner in long-distance pipelines, but are sold separately, the gas source price shall be determined by the supplier and the buyer through negotiation and transportation expenses shall be paid to the pipeline transportation service provider at the pipeline transportation price as prescribed by the state.
 
In August 2014, the NDRC released the Circular on Adjustment of the Price of Non-Residential Stock Natural Gas (Fagai Jiage Circular 1835[2014]), which was implemented from September 2014. Ceiling city-gate prices for stock non-residential natural gas will be increased by RMB 0.4 per cubic meter, the ceiling city-gate prices for incremental gas will remain unchanged. Due to then stagnant fertilizer market, the adjustment to fertilizer gas price was postponed and the ceiling city-gate prices for residential natural gas was not adjusted.  The circular further lifted control over gas source price of imported LNG and ex-factory prices of shale gas, coal-bed gas, and coal gas. Where it is necessary to transmit such gases in a mixed manner with domestic onshore gas and imported pipeline gas and sell them together, the supplier and the user may enter into separate purchase and transportation contracts for different gas sources. The gas source price and ex-factory price shall be market oriented, the pipeline transportation price shall be subject to relevant regulations. In 2015, the stock natural gas and incremental natural gas prices shall be unified.
 
Pursuant to scheduled implementation of natural gas pricing reform, the NDRC released the Circular on Rationalizing the Price of Non-Residential Natural Gas (Fagai Jiage Circular 351[2015]) in February 2015 to unify stock gas and incremental gas prices. This circular will be implemented from April 2015.
 
Regulation of Refining and Marketing of Refined Petroleum Products
 
Gasoline and Diesel Prices
 
Gasoline and diesel prices are government-guided.
 
In March 2013, the NDRC released Circular on Establishment of Sound Price Formation Mechanism of Refined Oil Products (Fagai Jiage Circular 624[2013]), which specified that a reformed refined oil product price formation mechanism shall include: shortening of the refined oil product price adjustment period to 10 working days; elimination of the 4% price fluctuation on international market as a prerequisite for price adjustment; adjustment of the composition of benchmarked crude oil as a reference for domestic oil product prices. To save social resources, if the assessed adjustment
 
 
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in domestic refined oil product prices is less than RMB 50 per tonne, the adjustment will be postponed to next period.  In cases of special conditions such as significant increase in domestic CPI, significant emergencies or significant fluctuations of crude oil price on international market which may trigger adjustment of domestic refined oil price, the NDRC may implement ad hoc suspension, delay or narrowing of price adjustment upon the approval by the State Council. Upon elimination of the special conditions, the price formation mechanism may resume operation after the NDRC obtains the State Council’s for approval.
 
Jet Fuels Price
 
During the transition period, the ex-factory price of the jet fuels (standard) will temporarily be determined by the buyers and the sellers, subject to a limit of no more than the CIF post-duty price in the Singapore market.
 
On September 16, 2013, a Circular of Relevant Opinions on Pricing Policies for Upgrading Oil Product Quality was promulgated by the NDRC. The Circular provides that the prices of gasoline and diesel products shall be increased if the quality of such products is upgraded. For standard gasoline and diesel products that are upgraded to GB IV standards, their prices shall be raised by RMB 290 per tonne and RMB 370 per tonne, respectively; for gasoline and diesel products that are upgraded from GB IV to GB V standards, their price shall be raised by RMB 170 per tonne and RMB 160 per tonne, respectively.  Prices for regular diesel shall be benchmarked against automobile diesel with same specification.
 
Regulation of Crude Oil and Refined Petroleum Products Market
 
On December 4, 2006, Ministry of Commerce of the PRC promulgated the “Administrative Rules for Crude Oil Market” and “Administrative Rules for Refined Petroleum Products  Market” to open the wholesale market of crude oil and refined petroleum products to new market entrants, respectively. The rapid entrance of foreign enterprises into Chinese petroleum, chemical and other related business will change the current horizon of crude oil resource, as well as petroleum and chemical products market.
 
Investment
 
Under the State Council’s Decision on Investment System Reform, investments without the use of government funds are only subject to a licensing system or a registration system, as the case may be. Under the current system, only significant projects and the projects of restrictive nature are subject to approval so as to maintain social and public interests, and all other projects of any investment scale are only subject to a registration system.
 
On October 31, 2014, the State Council issued the Catalogue of Investment Projects Requiring Government Approval (2014) (“2014 Catalogue”), and on December 27, 2014, the NDRC issued the Administrative Measures for Approval and Filing of overseas Investment Projects, according to which, overseas investment projects involving sensitive countries or regions or sensitive industries shall be approved by the NDRC, among which, those projects with the amount of Chinese investment over US$ 2 billion shall be subject to an examination opinion of the NDRC after being reported to the State Council for confirmation. All other projects, including those by enterprises directly administered by the SASAC and local enterprises with an investment size over US$3 billion, will require only a filing with the NDRC. According to the Administrative Measures for Overseas Investment which was issued by the MOFCOM in September 2014 and implemented in October 2014, enterprise overseas investments involving sensitive countries or regions or sensitive industries shall be submitted to MOFCOM for approval, and other overseas investments will only need to submit a filing with MOFCOM. Investments by enterprises directly administered by the SASAC shall apply for MOFCOM’s approval or submit a filing with the MOFCOM.
 
Pursuant to the Anti-Monopoly Law of the PRC which became effective on August 1, 2008, when market concentration by business carriers through merger, acquisition of control through shares or assets acquisition, or acquisition of control or the ability to exercise decisive influence over other business carriers by contract or by other means reaches a threshold of declaration level prescribed by the State Council, the business carriers shall declare in advance to the Anti-monopoly Law enforcement agency, otherwise, the business carriers shall not implement such market concentration.
 
Taxation, Fees and Royalty
 
Companies which operate petroleum and petrochemical businesses in China are subject to a variety of taxes, fees and royalties.
 
Effective from December 1, 2014, the rate of mineral resource compensation charges on crude oil and natural gas is reduced to zero, and the applicable resource tax rate is correspondingly increased from 5% to 6%.
 
 
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Effective from January 1, 2015, the threshold of the special oil income levy is increased from US$55 to 65 per barrel, and a five-level progressive rate is applied to special oil income levy collection based on the sale prices.
 
From November 29, 2014 to January 12, 2015, the unit tax amount of consumption tax on gasoline, naphtha, solvent and lubricant have been adjusted three times and the current applicable consumption tax rates are set forth in the table below. For further information about consumption tax rates, see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
Applicable tax, fees and royalties on refined petroleum products and other refined oil products generally payable by us or by other companies in similar industries are shown below.
 
Tax Item
 
Tax Base
 
Tax Rate
 
Enterprise income tax
 
Taxable income
 
25% effective from January 1, 2008.
         
Value-added tax
 
Revenue
 
13% for liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and low density polyethylene for production of agricultural film and fertilizers and 17% for other items. We generally charge value-added tax to our customers at the time of settlement on top of the selling prices of our products on behalf of the taxation authority. We may directly claim refund from the value-added tax collected from our customers for value-added tax that we paid for (i) purchasing materials consumed during the production process; and (ii) charges paid for drilling and other engineering services.
         
Consumption tax
 
Aggregate volume sold or self-consumed
 
Effective from January 13, 2015, RMB 1.52 per liter for gasoline, naphtha, solvent and lubricant, and RMB 1.2 per liter for diesel, fuel oil and jet kerosene.
         
Import tariff
 
CIF China price
 
5% for gasoline, 6% for diesel, 9% for jet kerosene and 6% for fuel oil. Beginning on July 1, 2011, the applicable tax rates for gasoline, fuel oil, diesel and jet kerosene are 1%, 1%, 0% and 0%, respectively.  Starting from 2014, the applicable tax rate for diesel is 1%.
         
Resource tax
 
Aggregate volume sold or self-consumed
 
Effective from December 1, 2014, for domestic production of crude oil and natural gas, the applicable tax rate is increased from 5% to 6% of the sales revenue, exemption or deduction may apply if qualified.
         
Compensatory fee for mineral resources
 
Revenue of crude oil and natural gas
 
Starting from December 1, 2014, the rate of compensatory fees for mineral resources on crude oil and natural gas is reduced from 1% to zero.
         
Exploration license fee
 
Area
 
RMB 100 to RMB 500 per square kilometer per annum.
         
Production license fee
 
Area
 
RMB 1,000 per square kilometer per annum.
         
Royalty fee(1)
 
Production volume
 
Progressive rate of 0-12.5% for crude oil and 0-3% for natural gas.
         
City construction tax
 
Total amount of value-added tax, consumption tax and business tax
 
1%, 5% and 7%.
 
 
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Education Surcharge and local education surcharge
 
Total amount of value-added tax, consumption tax and business tax
 
3% and 2%.
         
Special Oil Income Levy
 
Any revenue derived from sale of domestically produced crude oil when the realized crude oil price exceeds US$65 per barrel.
 
Progressive rate of 20% to 40% for revenues derived from crude oil with realized price in excess of US$65 per barrel.
__________
(1)
Sino-foreign oil and gas exploration and development cooperative projects whose contracts were signed prior to November 1, 2011 and have not yet expired are still subject to royalty fee, and the project companies of those cooperative projects are not subject to any other resource taxes or fees. Sino-foreign oil and gas exploration cooperative projects whose contracts are signed after November 1, 2011 are not subject to royalty fee, but are subject to resource taxes.
         
 
C.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
 
For a description of our relationship with Sinopec Group Company, see “Item 4. Information on the Company ¾ A. History and Development of the Company” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.” For a description of our significant subsidiaries, see Note 34 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
D.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
We own substantially all of our properties, plants and equipment relating to our business activities.  See “Item 4. Information on the Company ¾ B. Business Overview” for description of our property, plant and equipment.
 
Environmental Matters
 
We are subject to various national environmental laws and regulations and also environmental regulations promulgated by the local governments in whose jurisdictions we have operations. For example, national regulations promulgated by the central government set discharge standards for emissions into air and water. They also set forth schedules of discharge fees for various waste substances. These schedules usually provide for discharge fee increases for each incremental amount of discharge up to a certain level. Above a certain level, the central regulations permit the local government to order any of our facilities to cure certain behavior causing environmental damage and subject to the central government’s approval, the local government may also issue orders to close any of our facilities that fail to comply with the existing regulations. In addition, we have incurred capital expenditure specifically in compliance with the various environmental protection objectives set by the PRC government for the petroleum and chemical industry, to promote energy saving and environmental protection in China.
 
Each of our production subsidiaries has implemented policies to control its pollutant emissions and discharge and to oversee compliance with the PRC environmental regulations. In January 2013, we integrated our environmental protection functions such as low-carbon development strategy and energy-saving mission by setting up a new department named Energy Management and Environmental Protection Department. The main functions of this new department are environmental management functions such as energy saving, emission reduction, environmental protection, water saving, comprehensive utilization of resources and clean production.
 
Our production facilities have their own facilities to treat waste water, solid waste and waste gases on site. Waste water first goes through preliminary treatment at our own waste water treatment facilities. Thereafter, the water is sent to nearby waste water treatment centers operated either by us or by Sinopec Group for further treatment. All solid waste materials generated by our production facilities are buried at disposal sites or burned in furnaces either operated by us or by Sinopec Group. Waste gases are generally treated and burned in furnaces before dissipation and the ash is disposed in accordance with our solid waste disposal procedures.
 
Environmental regulations also require companies to file an environmental impact report to the environmental bureau for approval before undertaking any construction of a new production facility or any major expansion or renovation of an existing production facility. Such an undertaking will not be permitted to operate until the environmental bureau has performed an inspection and is satisfied that environmentally sound equipment has been installed for the facility.
 
 
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We believe our environmental protection systems and facilities are adequate for us to comply with current applicable national and local environmental protection regulations. The PRC government, however, may impose stricter regulations which require additional expenditure on compliance with environmental regulations.
 
Our environmental protection expenditures were approximately RMB 4.8 billion in 2012, RMB 5.2 billion in 2013, and RMB 5.4 billion in 2014.
 
Insurance
 
In respect of our refining, petrochemical production, and marketing and sales operations, we currently maintain with Sinopec Group Company, under the terms of its Safety Production Insurance Fund (“SPI Fund”), approximately RMB 718.3 billion of coverage on our property and plants and approximately RMB 122.9 billion of coverage on our inventory. In 2014, we paid an insurance premium of approximately RMB 2.0 billion to Sinopec Group Company for such coverage.  Transportation vehicles and products in transit are not covered by Sinopec Group Company and we maintain insurance policies for those assets with insurance companies in the PRC.
 
The insurance coverage under SPI Fund applies to all domestic enterprises controlled by Sinopec Group Company under regulations published by the Ministry of Finance. We believe that, in the event of a major accident, we will be able to recover most of our losses from insurance proceeds paid under the SPI Fund or by insurance companies.
 
Pursuant to an approval of the Ministry of Finance, Sinopec Group Company entered into an agreement with PICC Property and Casualty Company Limited on January 29, 2002 to purchase a property and casualty policy which would also cover our assets. The policy provides for an annual maximum cumulative claim amount of RMB 4.0 billion and a maximum of RMB 2.36 billion per occurrence.
 
In November 2013, our Donghuang II pipeline located in Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone ruptured, resulting in oil leakage into the covered municipal drainage trench. The municipal drainage trench exploded and caused severe casualties and injuries to the surrounding pedestrians, residents and rescue team. The accident caused 62 deaths and 136 injuries and a direct economic loss of RMB 751.7 million, according to the investigation report issued by the State Council investigation team. We have taken the responsibility for paying our portion of required compensation to third parties. Our payments would be funded mainly from our Safe Production Insurance Fund that have been accumulated in the past years, as well as claims under the business catastrophe insurance policy that we maintained with a third-party commercial insurance company.
 
ITEM 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
 
None.

ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
 
A.
GENERAL
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. Certain financial information presented in this section is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial data presented on a consolidated basis or by segment, are presented net of inter-segment transactions (i.e., inter-segment and other intercompany transactions have been eliminated).
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our reported consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that underlie the preparation of our financial statements.  We base our assumptions and estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable and which form the basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources.  On an on-going basis, our management evaluates its estimates.  Actual results may differ from those estimates as facts, circumstances and conditions change.
 
The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors to be considered when reviewing our financial statements.  Our principal accounting policies are set forth in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
 
 
38

 

statements.  We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
 
Oil and gas properties and reserves
 
The accounting for our upstream oil and gas activities is subject to special accounting rules that are unique to the oil and gas business.  There are two methods to account for oil and gas business activities, the successful efforts method and the full cost method.  We have elected to use the successful efforts method.
 
The successful efforts method reflects the volatility that is inherent in exploring for mineral resources in that costs of unsuccessful exploratory efforts are charged to expense as they are incurred.  These costs primarily include dry hole costs, seismic costs and other exploratory costs.  Under the full cost method, these costs are capitalized and written-off (depreciation) over time.
 
Engineering estimates of our oil and gas reserves are inherently imprecise and represent only approximate amounts because of the subjective judgments involved in developing such information.  There are authoritative guidelines regarding the engineering criteria that have to be met before estimated oil and gas reserves can be designated as “proved”.  Proved and proved developed reserves estimates are updated at least annually and take into account recent production and technical information about each field.  In addition, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate of proved and proved developed reserves also changes.  This change is considered a change in estimate for accounting purposes and is reflected on a prospective basis in related depreciation rates.
 
Future dismantlement costs for oil and gas properties are estimated with reference to engineering estimates after taking into consideration the anticipated method of dismantlement required in accordance with industry practices in similar geographic area, including estimation of economic life of oil and gas properties, technology and price level.  The present values of these estimated future dismantlement costs are capitalized as oil and gas properties with equivalent amounts recognized as provision for dismantlement costs.
 
Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, these estimates are used in determining depreciation expense, impairment expense and future dismantlement costs, and in disclosing the supplemental standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas properties.  Depreciation rates are determined based on estimated proved developed reserve quantities (the denominator) and capitalized costs of producing properties (the numerator).  Producing properties’ capitalized costs are amortized based on the units of oil or gas produced.  Therefore, assuming all other variables are held constant, an increase in estimated proved developed reserves decreases our depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.  Also, estimated reserves are often used to calculate future cash flows from our oil and gas operations, which serve as an indicator of fair value in determining whether a property is impaired or not. The larger the estimated reserves, the less likely the property is impaired.  There have been no significant changes to the original reserve estimates during any of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
 
Impairment for long-lived assets
 
If circumstances indicate that the net book value of a long-lived asset, including oil and gas properties, may not be recoverable, the asset may be “impaired”, and an impairment loss may be recognized.  The carrying amounts of long-lived assets are reviewed periodically in order to assess whether the recoverable amounts have declined below the carrying amounts. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated annually. These assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their recorded carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of the net selling price and the value in use.  It is difficult to precisely estimate selling price because quoted market prices for our assets or cash-generating units are not readily available. In determining the value in use, expected cash flows generated by the asset or the cash-generating unit are discounted to their present value, which requires significant judgment relating to level of sales volume, selling price and amount of operating costs. We use all readily available information in determining an amount that is a reasonable approximation of recoverable amount, including estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections of reserve quantities, sales volume, selling price and amount of operating costs.
 
Impairment losses recognized for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in our statement of income on long-lived assets are summarized as follows:
 
 
39

 
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(RMB in millions)
 
Exploration and production
    1,006       2,523       2,436  
Refining
    -       88       29  
Marketing and distribution
    8       35       40  
Chemicals
    -       -       1,106  
Corporate and others
    -       15       8  
Total
    1,014       2,661       3,619  
                         
Depreciation
 
Property, plant and equipment (other than oil and gas properties) are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, after taking into account the estimated residual value. We review the estimated useful lives of the assets regularly in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives are based on our historical experience with similar assets and take into account anticipated technological changes. The depreciation expense for future periods is adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates.  There have been no changes to the estimated useful lives and residual values during each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
 
Impairment of accounts receivable for bad and doubtful debts
 
We estimate impairment of accounts receivable for bad and doubtful debts resulting from the inability of our customers to make the required payments. We base our estimates on the aging of our accounts receivable balance, customer credit-worthiness, and historical write-off experience. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, actual write-offs would be higher than estimated.  The changes in the impairment losses for bad and doubtful accounts are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(RMB in millions)
 
Balance as of January 1
    1,012       699       574  
Impairment losses recognized for the year
    44       36       44  
Reversal of impairment losses
    (155 )     (38 )     (15 )
Written off 
    (202 )     (123 )     (57 )
Others
    -       -       (16 )
Balance as of December 31
    699       574       530  
                         
Allowance for diminution in value of inventories
 
If the costs of inventories become higher than their net realizable values, an allowance for diminution in value of inventories is recognized.  Net realizable value represents the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.  We base the estimates on all available information, including the current market prices of the finished goods and raw materials, and historical operating costs.  If the actual selling prices were to be lower or the costs of completion were to be higher than estimated, the actual allowance for diminution in value of inventories could be higher than estimated.  Allowance for diminution in value of inventories is analyzed as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(RMB in millions)
 
Balance as of January 1
    1,382       491       1,751  
Allowance for the year    
    7,419       1,453       3,327  
Reversal of allowance on disposal
    (378 )     (1 )     (136 )
Written off
    (7,943 )     (192 )     (1,327 )
Others
    11       -       (12 )
Balance as of December 31
    491       1,751       3,603  
                         
 
 
40

 

Recently Pronounced International Financial Reporting Standards
 
Information relating to the recently pronounced IFRS is presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Overview of Our Operations
 
We are the largest integrated petroleum and petrochemical company in China and one of the largest in Asia in terms of operating revenues. We engage in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas, operating refineries and petrochemical facilities and marketing crude oil, natural gas, refined petroleum products and petrochemicals. We have reported our consolidated financial results according to the following four principal business segments and the corporate and others segment.
 
 
·
Exploration and Production Segment, which consists of our activities related to exploring for and developing, producing and selling crude oil and natural gas;
 
 
·
Refining Segment, which consists of purchasing crude oil from our exploration and production segment and from third parties, processing of crude oil into refined petroleum products, selling refined petroleum products principally to our marketing and distribution segment;
 
 
·
Marketing and Distribution Segment, which consists of purchasing refined petroleum products from our refining segment and third parties, and marketing, selling and distributing refined petroleum products by wholesale to large customers and independent distributors and retail through our retail network;
 
 
·
Chemicals Segment, which consists of purchasing chemical feedstock principally from the refining segment and producing, marketing, selling and distributing chemical products; and
 
 
·
Corporate and Others Segment, which consists principally of trading activities of the import and export subsidiaries and our research and development activities.
 
B.         CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
In 2014, our total operating revenues were RMB 2,825.9 billion, representing a decrease of 1.9% over 2013.  Our operating income was RMB 73.5 billion, representing a decrease of 24.1% over 2013.
 
The following table sets forth major revenue and expense items in the consolidated statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
   
Change from 2013 to
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(RMB in millions)
   
%
 
Operating revenues 
    2,825,914       2,880,311       (1.9 )
Sales of goods
    2,781,641       2,833,247       (1.8 )
Other operating revenues
    44,273       47,064       (5.9 )
Operating expenses
    (2,752,427 )     (2,783,526 )     (1.1 )
Purchased crude oil, products and operating supplies and expenses
    (2,334,399 )     (2,371,858 )     (1.6 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (68,374 )     (69,928 )     (2.2 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (90,097 )     (81,265 )     10.9  
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
    (10,969 )     (12,573 )     (12.8 )
Personnel expenses
    (57,233 )     (55,353 )     3.4  
Taxes other than income tax
    (191,202 )     (190,672 )     0.3  
Other operating (expenses)/income, net
    (153 )     (1,877 )     (91.8 )
Operating income
    73,487       96,785       (24.1 )
Net finance costs
    (14,229 )     (4,246 )     235.1  
Investment income and income from associates and jointly controlled entities
    6,246       2,513       148.5  
Earnings before income tax
    65,504       95,052       (31.1 )
Tax expense
    (17,571 )     (24,763 )     (29.0 )
Net income
    47,933       70,289       (31.8 )
Attributable to:
                       
Equity shareholders of the Company
    46,466       66,132       (29.7 )
Non-controlling interests
    1,467       4,157       (64.7 )
                         
 
 
41

 

Operating revenues
 
In 2014, our sales of goods were RMB 2,781.6 billion, representing a decrease of 1.8% over 2013. This was mainly attributable to the price decline of crude oil and petroleum products.
 
The following table sets forth our external sales volume, average realized prices and the respective rates of change from 2013 to 2014 for our major products:
 
   
Sales Volume
    Change from 2013 to 2014    
Average Realized Price
    Change from 2013 to 2014  
   
2014
   
2013
       
2014
   
2013
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
                                     
Crude oil
    8,864       7,604       16.6       4,008       4,253       (5.8 )
Domestic
    8,780       7,582       15.8       4,001       4,252       (5.9 )
Oversea
    84       22       281.8       4,691       4,678       0.3  
Natural gas
    16,661       15,907 (1)     4.7       1,589       1,336 (2)     18.9  
Gasoline
    64,083       59,482       7.7       8,339       8,498       (1.9 )
Diesel
    102,724       99,855       2.9       6,647       7,050       (5.7 )
Kerosene
    21,845       20,162       8.3       5,710       6,116       (6.6 )
Basic chemical feedstock
    27,277       25,838       5.6       6,151       6,870       (10.5 )
Synthetic fiber monomer and polymer
    6,479       6,856       (5.5 )     7,223       8,167       (11.6 )
Synthetic resin
    11,584       10,696       8.3       9,684       9,631       0.6  
Synthetic fiber
    1,430       1,488       (3.9 )     9,436       10,356       (8.9 )
Synthetic rubber
    1,205       1,346       (10.5 )     10,554       12,214       (13.6 )
Chemical fertilizer
    598       1,129       (47.0 )     1,686       1,698       (0.7 )
____________

(1)
million cubic meters
(2)
RMB per thousand cubic meters


Sales of crude oil and natural gas
 
Most of crude oil and a portion of natural gas we produced were used internally for refining and chemical production and the remaining were sold to other customers. In 2014, the total revenue from crude oil, natural gas and other upstream products that were sold externally amounted to RMB 69.6 billion, representing an increase of 14.3% over 2013. The change was mainly due to the increase in the sales volume of crude oil and the sale volume and price of natural gas in 2014.
 
Sales of refined petroleum products
 
In 2014, our refining segment and marketing and distribution segment sell petroleum products (mainly consisting of gasoline, diesel and kerosene which are referred to as the refined oil products and other refined petroleum products) to external parties. The external sales revenue realized by these two segments were RMB 1,633.9 billion, accounting for 58.7% of our operating revenues and representing a decrease of 2.8% over 2013. The decrease was mainly because of the decline in prices and sales volumes of various petroleum products, which offset the increase in sales volumes of gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The sales revenue of gasoline, diesel and kerosene was RMB 1,342.0 billion, accounting for 82.1% of the total revenue of petroleum products and representing an increase of 0.7% over 2013. Sales revenue of other refined petroleum products was RMB 291.9 billion, accounting for 17.9% of the total revenue of petroleum products and representing a decrease of 16.0% over 2013.
 
 
42

 

Sales of chemical products
 
Our external sales revenue of chemical products was RMB 357.0 billion, accounting for 12.8% of our operating revenues and representing a decrease of 4.6% over 2013. This was mainly attributable to the price decline of chemical product which offset the sales volume increase of basic chemical feedstock and synthetic resin.
 
Revenue from corporate and others
 
In 2014, our corporate and others realized sales revenue of RMB 721.2 billion, accounting for 25.9% of our operating revenue and representing a slight increase of 0.5% over 2013.
 
Operating expenses
 
In 2014, our operating expenses were RMB 2,752.4 billion, representing a decrease of 1.1% over 2013, among which:
 
Purchased crude oil, products and operating supplies and expenses were RMB 2,334.4 billion, representing a decrease of 1.6% over 2013, accounting for 84.8% of the total operating expenses, of which:
 
 
·
crude oil purchase expenses were RMB 837.4 billion, representing a decrease of 4.2% over 2013. In 2014, the total throughput of crude oil that was purchased externally was 177.29 million tonnes (excluding the amount processed for third parties), representing a decrease of 0.6% over 2013; the average unit processing cost for crude oil purchased externally was RMB 4,724 per tonne, representing a decrease of 3.6% over 2013; and
 
 
·
other purchasing expenses were RMB 1,497.0 billion, remaining consistent with that of 2013.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled RMB 68.4 billion, representing a decrease of 2.2% over 2013.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization was RMB 90.1 billion, representing an increase of 10.9% over 2013. This was mainly due to the increase of expenditure on fixed assets.
 
Exploration expenses, including dry holes were RMB 11.0 billion, representing a decrease of 12.8% over 2013, reflecting our optimization of exploration investment, which improve the exploration efficiency and reduce exploration costs.
 
Personnel expenses were RMB 57.2 billion, representing an increase of 3.4% over 2013.
 
Taxes other than income tax were RMB 191.2 billion, representing an increase of 0.3% over 2013. This was mainly due to an increase of RMB 3.4 billion in consumption tax resulting from the increase of the consumption tax rate of petroleum products as compared with 2013, an increase of RMB 0.6 billion in city construction tax and education surcharge, and a decrease in special oil income levy by RMB 3.4 billion resulting from the decreased oil price.
 
Other operating expenses, net were RMB 0.2 billion.
 
Operating income
 
In 2014, our operating income was RMB 73.5  billion, representing a decrease of 24.1% over 2013.
 
Net finance costs
 
In 2014, our net finance costs were RMB 14.2 billion, representing an increase of 235.1% over 2013.  This increase in finance costs was mainly attributable to (i) the net interest expenses of RMB 9.4 billion, representing an increase of RMB 0.4 billion over 2013; (ii) decrease in net foreign exchange gain of RMB 2.9 billion due to the slowdown of Renminbi appreciation in 2014; and (iii) increase of RMB 6.6 billion in the losses arising from the change in fair value of our issued convertible bonds.
 
 
43

 

Earnings before income tax
 
In 2014, our earnings before income tax were RMB 65.5 billion, representing a decrease of 31.1% over 2013.
 
Tax expense
 
In 2014, we recognized income tax expense of RMB 17.6 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 7.2 billion over 2013.
 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
In 2014, our net income attributable to non-controlling interests was RMB 1.5 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 2.7 billion over 2013.
 
Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
 
In 2014, our net income attributable to our equity shareholders was RMB 46.5 billion, representing a decrease of 29.7% over 2013.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
In 2013, our total operating revenues were RMB 2,880.3 billion, representing an increase of 3.4% over 2012.  Our operating income was RMB 96.8 billion, representing a decrease of 1.9% over 2012.
 
The following table sets forth major revenue and expense items in the consolidated statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
   
Change from 2012 to 2013
 
   
2013
   
2012
     
   
(RMB in millions)
   
%
 
Operating revenues
    2,880,311       2,786,045       3.4  
Sales of goods
    2,833,247       2,733,618       3.6  
Other operating revenues
    47,064       52,427       (10.2 )
Operating expenses
    (2,783,526 )     (2,687,383 )     3.6  
Purchased crude oil, products and operating supplies and expenses
    (2,371,858 )     (2,301,199 )     3.1  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (69,928 )     (61,174 )     14.3  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (81,265 )     (70,456 )     15.3  
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
    (12,573 )     (15,533 )     (19.1 )
Personnel expenses
    (55,353 )     (51,767 )     6.9  
Taxes other than income tax
    (190,672 )     (188,483 )     1.2  
Other operating (expenses)/income, net
    (1,877 )     1,229       -  
Operating income
    96,785       98,662       (1.9 )
Net finance costs
    (4,246 )     (9,881 )     (57.0 )
Investment income and income from associates and jointly controlled entities
    2,513       1,861       35.0  
Earnings before income tax
    95,052       90,642       4.9  
Tax expense
    (24,763 )     (23,846 )     3.8  
Net income
    70,289       66,796       5.2  
Attributable to:
                       
Equity shareholders of the Company
    66,132       63,879       3.5  
Non-controlling interests
    4,157       2,917       42.5  
                         
Operating revenues
 
In 2013, our sales of goods were RMB 2,833.2 billion, representing an increase of 3.6% over 2012. This was mainly due to the active exploration of markets and increased trade income.
 
 
44

 

The following table sets forth our external sales volume, average realized prices and the respective rates of change from 2012 to 2013 for our major products:
 
   
Sales Volume
    Change from
2012 to 2013
   
Average Realized Price
    Change from
2012 to 2013
 
   
2013
   
2012
       
2013
   
2012
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
                                     
Crude oil
    7,604       6,221       22.2       4,253       4,579       (7.1 )
Natural gas
    15,907 (1)     14,431 (1)     10.2       1,336 (2)     1,281 (2)     4.3  
Gasoline
    59,482       53,488       11.2       8,498       8,615       (1.4 )
Diesel
    99,855       99,864       0.0       7,050       7,219       (2.3 )
Kerosene
    20,162       18,760       7.5       6,116       6,416       (4.7 )
Basic chemical feedstock
    25,838       23,387       10.5       6,870       6,740       1.9  
Synthetic fiber monomer and polymer
    6,856       6,943       (1.3 )     8,167       8,238       (0.9 )
Synthetic resin
    10,696       10,503       1.8       9,631       9,181       4.9  
Synthetic fiber
    1,488       1,458       2.1       10,356       10,790       (4.0 )
Synthetic rubber
    1,346       1,287       4.6       12,214       17,564       (30.5 )
Chemical fertilizer
    1,129       1,193       (5.4 )     1,698       2,052       (17.3 )
____________

(1)
million cubic meters
(2)
RMB per thousand cubic meters

Sales of crude oil and natural gas
 
Most of crude oil and a portion of natural gas we produced internally were used for refining and chemical production and the remaining were sold to other customers. In 2013, the total revenue from crude oil, natural gas and other upstream products that were sold externally amounted to RMB 60.8 billion, representing an increase of 13.2% over 2012, and accounted for 2.1% of our operating revenues. The change was mainly due to the increase in the sales volume of crude oil and the sale volume and price of natural gas.
 
Sales of refined petroleum products
 
In 2013, our refining segment and marketing and distribution segment sell petroleum products (mainly consisting of gasoline, diesel and kerosene which are referred to as the refined oil products and other refined petroleum products) to external parties. The external sales revenue realized by these two segments were RMB 1,680.5 billion, accounting for 59.3% of our operating revenues and representing an increase of 2.0% over 2012. The increase was mainly because of the increase of sales volume and prices for these products. The sales revenue of gasoline, diesel and kerosene was RMB 1,332.8 billion, accounting for 79.3% of the total revenue of petroleum products and representing an increase of 2.4% over 2012. Sales revenue of other refined petroleum products was RMB 347.7 billion, accounting for 20.7% of the total revenue of petroleum products and representing an increase of 0.8% over 2012.
 
Sales of chemical products
 
Our external sales revenue of chemical products was RMB 374.1 billion, accounting for 13.2% of our operating revenues and representing an increase of 5.0% over 2012. This was mainly attributable to expanded sales volume of chemical products.
 
Revenue from corporate and others
 
In 2013, our corporate and others realized sales revenue of RMB 717.8 billion, accounting for 25.3% of our operating revenue and representing an increase of 6.1% over 2012. This was mainly attributable to expanded sales volume, imports and exports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.
 
Operating expenses
 
In 2013, our operating expenses were RMB 2,783.5 billion, representing an increase of 3.6% over 2012, among which:
 
 
45

 

Purchased crude oil, products and operating supplies and expenses were RMB 2,371.9 billion, representing an increase of 3.1% over 2012, accounting for 85.2% of the total operating expenses, of which:
 
 
·
crude oil purchase expenses were RMB 874.3 billion, representing a decrease of 0.7% over 2012. In 2013, the total throughput of crude oil that was purchased externally was 178.43 million tonnes (excluding the amount processed for third parties), representing an increase of 5.8% over 2012; the average unit processing cost for crude oil purchased externally was RMB 4,900 per tonne, representing a decrease of 6.2% over 2012; and
 
 
·
other purchasing expenses were RMB 1,497.6 billion, representing an increase of 5.4% over 2012. This was mainly due to the expansion of our trading activities.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled RMB 69.9 billion, representing an increase of 14.3% over 2012. This was mainly attributable to an increase of RMB 6.7 billion in rent for land, community service and other expenses.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization was RMB 81.3 billion, representing an increase of 15.3% over 2012. This was mainly due to the increase of depreciation resulting from our continuous capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment.
 
Exploration expenses, including dry holes were RMB 12.6 billion, representing a decrease of 19.1% over 2012, reflecting our enhanced exploration activities, which improve the exploration efficiency and reduce exploration costs.
 
Personnel expenses were RMB 55.4 billion, representing an increase of RMB 3.6 billion, or 6.9%, over 2012.
 
Taxes other than income tax were RMB 190.7 billion, representing an increase of 1.2% over 2012. This was mainly due to an increase of RMB 4.3 billion in consumption tax resulting from the increased sales volume of gasoline as compared with 2012, an increase of RMB 1.5 billion in city construction tax and education surcharge, and a decrease in special oil income levy by RMB 3.8 billion resulting from the decreased oil price.
 
Other operating expenses, net were RMB 1.9 billion.
 
Operating income
 
In 2013, our operating income was RMB 96.8 billion, representing a decrease of 1.9% over 2012.
 
Net finance costs
 
In 2013, our net finance costs were RMB 4.2 billion, representing a decrease of 57.0% over 2012.  This decrease in finance costs was mainly attributable to (i) decrease in net interest expenses of RMB 0.9 billion; (ii) increase in net foreign exchange gain of RMB 2.6 billion; and (iii) increase of RMB 2.1 billion in the earnings arising from the change in fair value of our issued convertible bonds.
 
Earnings before income tax
 
In 2013, our earnings before income tax were RMB 95.1 billion, representing an increase of 4.9% over 2012.
 
Tax expense
 
In 2013, we recognized income tax expense of RMB 24.8 billion, representing an increase of RMB 0.9 billion over 2012.
 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
 
In 2013, our net income attributable to non-controlling interests was RMB 4.2 billion, representing an increase of RMB 1.2 billion over 2012.
 
 
46

 

Net income attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
 
In 2013, our net income attributable to our equity shareholders was RMB 66.1 billion, representing an increase of 3.5% over 2012.
 
 
C.
DISCUSSIONS ON RESULTS OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS
 
We divide our operations into four business segments (exploration and production segment, refining segment, marketing and distribution segment and chemicals segment) and corporate and others. Unless otherwise specified, the inter-segment transactions have not been eliminated in the financial data discussed in this section. In addition, the operating revenue d­ata of each segment have included the “other operating revenues” of the segment.
 
The following table sets forth the operating revenues by each segment, the contribution of external sales and inter-segment sales as a percentage of operating revenues before elimination of inter-segment sales, and the contribution of external sales as a percentage of consolidated operating revenues (i.e. after elimination of inter-segment sales) for the periods indicated.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
   
As a Percentage of Consolidated Operating Revenues Before Elimination of Inter-segment Sales
   
As a Percentage of Consolidated Operating Revenues After Elimination of Inter-segment Sales
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
(RMB in billions)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
 
Exploration and production
                                   
External sales(1)
    82       83       86       1.7       1.8       2.9       3.0  
Inter-segment sales
    175       159       142       3.3       3.0            
 
 
Total operating revenue
    257       242       228       5.0       4.8            
 
 
Refining
                                 
 
           
 
 
External sales(1)
    200       200       181       4.1       3.8       7.0       6.4  
Inter-segment sales
    1,071       1,111       1,092       22.9       23.2            
 
 
Total operating revenue
    1,271       1,311       1,273       27.0       27.0            
 
 
Marketing and distribution
                                 
 
           
 
 
External sales(1)
    1,462       1,496       1,471       30.8       31.2       51.9       52.1  
Inter-segment sales
    10       6       6       0.1       0.1            
 
 
Total operating revenue
    1,472       1,502       1,477       30.9       31.3            
 
 
Chemicals
                                 
 
           
 
 
External sales(1)
    364       382       365       7.9       7.7       13.2       12.9  
Inter-segment sales
    48       56       62       1.2       1.3            
 
 
Total operating revenue
    412       438       427       9.1       9.0            
 
 
Corporate and others
                                 
 
           
 
 
External sales(1)
    678       719       723       14.8       15.3       25.0       25.6  
Inter-segment sales
    635       640       587       13.2       12.5            
 
 
Total operating revenue
    1,313       1,359       1,310       28.0       27.8            
 
 
Total operating revenue before inter-segment eliminations
    4,725       4,852       4,715       100.0       100.0            
 
 
Elimination of inter-segment sales
    (1,939 )     (1,972 )     (1,889 )                          
 
 
Consolidated operating revenues
    2,786       2,880       2,826                       100.0       100.0  
                                                         
__________________________
(1)
include other operating revenues.
 
The following table sets forth the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating income/(loss) by each segment before elimination of the inter-segment transactions for the periods indicated, and the changes from 2013 to 2014.
 
 
47

 
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
    Change from 2013 to 2014  
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
     
   
(RMB in billions)
   
(%)
 
Exploration and production
                       
Total operating revenues
    257       242       228       (5.8 )
Total operating expenses
    (187 )     (187 )     (181 )     (3.2 )
Total operating income
    70       55       47       (14.5 )
Refining
                         
 
 
Total operating revenues
    1,271       1,311       1,273       (2.9 )
Total operating expenses
    (1,282 )     (1,302 )     (1,275 )     (2.1 )
Total operating income/(loss)
    (11 )     9       (2 )     -  
Marketing and distribution
                         
 
 
Total operating revenues
    1,472       1,502       1,477       (1.7 )
Total operating expenses
    (1,429 )     (1,467 )     (1,448 )     (1.3 )
Total operating income
    43       35       29       (17.1 )
Chemicals
                         
 
 
Total operating revenues
    412       438       427       (2.5 )
Total operating expenses
    (411 )     (437 )     (429 )     (1.8 )
Total operating income
    1       1       (2 )     -  
Corporate and others
                         
 
 
Total operating revenues
    1,313       1,359       1,310       (3.6 )
Total operating expenses
    (1,315 )     (1,362 )     (1,311 )     (3.7 )
Total operating loss
    (2 )     (3 )     (1 )     (66.7 )
Elimination of inter-segment income (loss)
    (1 )     1       2       -  
                                 
 
Exploration and Production Segment
 
Most of the crude oil and a portion of the natural gas produced by the exploration and production segment were used for our refining and chemicals operations. Most of our natural gas and a small portion of crude oil were sold to other customers.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
In 2014, the operating revenues of this segment were RMB 227.6 billion, representing a decrease of 6.0% over 2013. This was mainly attributable to the decrease of sales price and volume of crude oil.
 
The segment sold 43.37 million tonnes of crude oil and 17.98 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2014, representing a decrease of 2.0% and an increase of 5.8% over 2013, respectively. The average realized price of crude oil and natural gas were RMB 3,944 per tonne and RMB 1,599 per thousand cubic meters, respectively, representing a decrease of 6.0% and an increase of 17.6%, respectively, over 2013.
 
In 2014, the operating expenses of this segment were RMB 180.5 billion, representing a decrease of 3.6% over 2013. This was mainly due to:
 
 
·
The exploration expenses decreased by RMB 1.6 billion over 2013, reflecting our optimization of exploration investment which improve the exploration efficiency;
 
 
·
The special oil income levy, resource tax and other taxes decreased by RMB 3.4 billion due to the decline in crude oil price;
 
 
·
Other operation expenses decreased by 6.1 billion due to the decrease of raw material sales expenses which is related to the decline in sales revenue; and
 
 
·
The expense of depreciation, depletion and amortization increased by RMB 4.8 billion over 2013.
 
 
48

 

The lifting cost for oil and gas was RMB 804 per tonne in 2014, representing a slight increase of 0.5% over 2013. This was primarily due to the effectiveness of our cost control.
 
In 2014, the operating income of this segment was RMB 47.1 billion, representing a decrease of 14.1% over 2013, which was primarily due to the decrease in crude oil price.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
In 2013, the operating revenues of this segment were RMB 242.1 billion, representing a decrease of 5.9% over 2012. This is mainly attributable to the decreased sales price of crude oil.
 
The segment sold 44.24 million tonnes of crude oil and 17.0 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2013, representing an increase of 0.4% and an increase of 12.6% over 2012, respectively. The average realized price of crude oil and natural gas were RMB 4,195 per tonne and RMB 1,359 per thousand cubic meters, respectively, representing a decrease of 6.6% and an increase of 5.2%, respectively, over 2012.
 
In 2013, the operating expenses of this segment were RMB 187.3 billion, representing an increase of 0.1% over 2012. This was mainly due to:
 
 
·
The expenses of rent for land and community service expenses increased by RMB 4.0 billion over 2012;
 
 
·
The expense of depreciation, depletion and amortization increased by RMB 4.8 billion over 2012;
 
 
·
The exploration expenses decreased by RMB 3.0 billion over 2012, reflecting our enhanced exploration activities which improve the exploration efficiency; and
 
 
·
The special oil income levy, resource tax and other taxes decreased by RMB 4.4 billion.
 
The lifting cost for oil and gas was RMB 800 per tonne in 2013, representing an increase of 1.8% over 2012. This was primarily due to the increases in the price of fuels, power and labor expense.
 
In 2013, the operating income of this segment was RMB 54.8 billion, representing a decrease of 21.8% over 2012, which was primarily due to the decrease in crude oil price.
 
Refining Segment
 
Business activities of the refining segment consist of purchasing crude oil from third parties and from our exploration and production segment, processing crude oil into refined petroleum products, selling gasoline, diesel and kerosene to the marketing and distribution segment, selling a portion of chemical feedstock to our chemicals segment, and selling other refined petroleum products to the domestic and overseas customers.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
In 2014, the operating revenues of this segment were RMB 1,273.1 billion, representing a decrease of 2.9% over 2013. This was mainly attributable to the price decline of refined petroleum products.
 
The table below sets forth sales volume and average realized prices by product for 2014 and 2013, as well as the percentage changes in sales volume and average realized prices for the periods shown.
 
   
Sales volume
    Change from2013 to 2014    
Average realized prices
    Change from 2013 to 2014  
   
2014
   
2013
       
2014
   
2013
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
Gasoline
    47,786       42,759       11.8       7,784       7,879       (1.2 )
Diesel
    67,945       72,402       (6.2 )     6,288       6,571       (4.3 )
Kerosene
    12,410       11,944       3.9       5,705       6,116       (6.7 )
Chemical feedstock
    37,690       36,353       3.7       5,333       5,722       (6.8 )
Other refined petroleum products
    49,901       51,207       (2.6 )     3,943       4,136       (4.7 )
 
 
49

 

In 2014, our sales revenues of gasoline were RMB 372.0 billion, representing an increase of 10.4% over 2013; the sales revenues of diesel were RMB 427.2 billion, representing a decrease of 10.2% over 2013; the sales revenues of kerosene were RMB 70.8 billion, representing a decrease of 3.1% over 2013; the sales revenues of chemical feedstock were RMB 201.0 billion, representing a decrease of 3.4% over 2013; and the sales revenues of other refined petroleum products were RMB 196.8 billion, representing a decrease of 7.1% over 2013.
 
The segment’s operating expenses were RMB 1,275.0 billion in 2014, representing a decrease of 2.1% over 2013, which is mainly attributable to the decline in procurement cost of crude oil.
 
In 2014, the average unit cost of refining feedstock processed was RMB 4,695 per tonne, representing a decrease of 3.3% over 2013. Refining throughput were 223.88 million tonnes (excluding the volume processed for third parties), representing an increase of 0.3% over 2013. In 2014, the total costs of refining feedstock processed were RMB 1,051.2 billion, representing a decrease of 3.0% over 2013.
 
The refining margin was RMB 213.0 per tonne in 2014, representing a decrease of RMB 48.1 per tonne over 2013. This was mainly attributable to continuous decline in international crude oil price, and the relatively long period from procurement of raw materials to sales of products which reduced the spread between raw materials and products.
 
In 2014, the unit refining cash operating cost (defined as operating expenses less the purchase cost of crude oil and refining feedstock, depreciation and amortization, taxes other than income tax and other operating expenses, and divided by the refinery throughput) was RMB 165.9 per tonne, representing a decrease of 1.5% over 2013. This was mainly due to enhancement of internal management and reduction of various expenses.
 
The segment’s operating loss was RMB 2.0 billion in 2014, comparing to an operating income of RMB 8.6 billion in 2013.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
In 2013, the operating revenues of this segment were RMB 1,311.3 billion, representing an increase of 3.2% over 2012. This was mainly attributable to the increase in sales volumes of the refined petroleum products.
 
The table below sets forth sales volume and average realized prices by product for 2013 and 2012, as well as the percentage changes in sales volume and average realized prices for the periods shown.
 
   
Sales volume
    Change from 2012 to 2013    
Average realized prices
    Change from 2012 to 2013  
   
2013
   
2012
       
2013
   
2012
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
Gasoline
    42,759       38,473       11.1       7,879       7,957       (1.0 )
Diesel
    72,402       72,883       (0.7 )     6,571       6,682       (1.7 )
Kerosene
    11,944       10,262       16.4       6,116       6,379       (4.1 )
Chemical feedstock
    36,353       34,431       5.6       5,722       5,983       (4.4 )
Other refined petroleum products
    51,207       46,932       9.1       4,136       4,267       (3.1 )

 
In 2013, our sales revenues of gasoline were RMB 336.9 billion, representing an increase of 10.0% over 2012; the sales revenues of diesel were RMB 475.7 billion, representing a decrease of 2.3% over 2012; the sales revenues of kerosene were RMB 73.1 billion, representing an increase of 11.6% over 2012; the sales revenues of chemical feedstock were RMB 208.0 billion, representing an increase of 1.0% over 2012; and the sales revenues of other refined petroleum products were RMB 211.8 billion, representing an increase of 5.8% over 2012.
 
The segment’s operating expenses were RMB 1,302.7 billion in 2013, representing an increase of 1.6% over 2012, which is mainly attributable to the increase of cost related to upgrading oil quality and consumption tax related to the increased sales volume of refined oil products.
 
 
50

 

In 2013, the average unit cost of refining feedstock processed was RMB 4,856 per tonne, representing a decrease of 5.6% over 2012. Refining throughput were 223.24 million tonnes (excluding the volume processed for third parties), representing an increase of 5.3% over 2012. In 2013, the total costs of refining feedstock processed were RMB 1,084.0 billion, representing a decrease of 0.7% over 2012.
 
The refining margin was RMB 261.1 per tonne in 2013, representing an increase of RMB 104.6 per tonne over 2012. This was mainly attributable to the improvement of China’s pricing mechanism for oil products and the implementation of the policy which allows raising price of refined oil product with higher quality.
 
In 2013, the unit refining cash operating cost (defined as operating expenses less the purchase cost of crude oil and refining feedstock, depreciation and amortization, taxes other than income tax and other operating expenses, and divided by the refinery throughput) was RMB 168.5 per tonne, representing an increase of RMB 11.0 per tonne over 2012. This was mainly due to the increase in rent for land and external purchase prices of supporting materials, power and fuels for the purpose of upgrading the quality of oil products.
 
The segment’s operating income was RMB 8.6 billion in 2013, comparing to an operating loss of RMB 11.4 billion in 2012.
 
Marketing and Distribution Segment
 
The business activities of the marketing and distribution segment include purchasing refined oil products from our refining segment and third parties, making wholesale and direct sales to domestic customers, and retail of the refined oil products through the segment’s retail distribution network, as well as providing related services.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
In 2014, the operating revenues of this segment were RMB 1,476.6 billion, representing a decrease of 1.7% compared with 2013.
 
In 2014, the sales revenues of gasoline, diesel and kerosene were RMB 535.2 billion, RMB 686.4 billion and RMB 124.7 billion, representing an increase of 5.8%, a decrease of 3.1% and an increase of 0.8%, respectively, over 2013.
 
The following table sets forth the sales volumes, average realized prices and the respective rates of changes of the four major product categories in 2014 and 2013 in different forms of sales channels.
 
   
Sales Volume
    Change from 2013 to 2014    
Average Realized Prices
    Change from 2013 to 2014  
   
2014
   
2013
       
2014
   
2013
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
Gasoline
    64,190       59,523       7.8       8,338       8,498       (1.9 )
Retail sale
    53,003       49,733       6.6       8,585       8,690       (1.2 )
Wholesale and distribution
    11,187       9,791       14.3       7,166       7,524       (4.8 )
Diesel
    103,255       100,477       2.8       6,648       7,049       (5.7 )
Retail sale
    55,934       58,148       (3.8 )     7,029       7,325       (4.0 )
Wholesale and distribution
    47,322       42,328       11.8       6,196       6,671       (7.1 )
Kerosene
    21,845       20,232       8.0       5,710       6,116       (6.6 )
Fuel oil
    25,537       33,100       (22.8 )     4,016       4,333       (7.3 )

The operating expenses of the segment in 2014 was RMB 1,447.2 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 20.1 billion or 1.4%, over 2013, which was mainly attributable to the decrease of purchase costs as a result of price decline of oil products.
 
In 2014, the segment’s unit cash selling expenses of refined oil products per tonne (defined as the operating expenses less the purchasing costs, taxes other than income tax, depreciation and amortization and divided by the sales volume) was RMB 192.8 per tonne, representing a decrease of 1.7%.
 

 
51

 

The operating income of the segment in 2014 was RMB 29.4 billion, representing a decrease of 16.2% over 2013, mainly attributable to 11 consecutive price cuts of domestic refined oil products in the second half of 2014, which consumed the high-cost inventory.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
In 2013, the operating revenues of this segment were RMB 1,502.4 billion, representing an increase of 2.1% compared with 2012.
 
In 2013, the sales revenues of gasoline, diesel and kerosene were RMB 505.8 billion, RMB 708.3 billion and RMB 123.7 billion, representing an increase of 9.7%, a decrease of 2.6% and an increase of 2.9%, respectively, over 2012.
 
The following table sets forth the sales volumes, average realized prices and the respective rates of changes of the four major product categories in 2013 and 2012 in different forms of sales channels.
 
   
Sales Volume
    Change from2012 to 2013    
Average Realized Prices
    Change from 2012 to 2013  
   
2013
   
2012
       
2013
   
2012
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
Gasoline
    59,523       53,535       11.2       8,498       8,614       (1.4 )
Retail sale
    49,733       45,477       9.4       8,690       8,744       (0.6 )
Wholesale and distribution
    9,791       8,058       21.5       7,524       7,881       (4.5 )
Diesel
    100,477       100,790       (0.3 )     7,049       7,213       (2.3 )
Retail sale
    58,148       57,382       1.3       7,325       7,454       (1.7 )
Wholesale and distribution
    42,328       43,408       (2.5 )     6,671       6,895       (3.2 )
Kerosene
    20,232       18,741       8.0       6,116       6,416       (4.7 )
Fuel oil
    33,100       29,690       11.5       4,333       4,622       (6.3 )

The operating expenses of the segment in 2013 was RMB 1,467.3 billion, representing an increase of RMB 38.0 billion or 2.7%, over 2012, which was mainly attributable to the increase of purchase costs as a result of increased sales volume of oil products.
 
In 2013, the segment’s unit cash selling expenses of refined oil products per tonne (defined as the operating expenses less the purchasing costs, taxes other than income tax, depreciation and amortization and divided by the sales volume) was RMB 196.1 per tonne, representing an increase of 5.3%, which was mainly due to the increase in the rent for land as well as labor cost.
 
The operating income of the segment in 2013 was RMB 35.1 billion, representing a decrease of 17.6% over 2012.
 
Chemicals Segment
 
The business activities of the chemicals segment include purchasing chemical feedstock from our refining segment and third parties, producing, marketing and distributing petrochemical and inorganic chemical products.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
The operating revenues of the chemicals segment in 2014 were RMB 427.5 billion, representing a decrease of 2.3% over 2013, which was mainly attributable to the decrease in prices of chemical products.
 
The sales revenues of our six major categories of chemical products (namely basic organic chemicals, synthetic resins, synthetic fiber monomers and polymers for synthetic fiber, synthetic fiber, synthetic rubber and chemical fertilizer) of this segment in 2014 were approximately RMB 405.4 billion, representing a decrease of 2.6% compared with 2013, accounting for 94.8% of the operating revenues of this segment.
 
The following table sets forth the sales volume, average realized price and the respective rates of changes for each of these six categories of chemical products of this segment from 2013 to 2014.
 
 
52

 
 
   
Sales Volume
    Change from 2013 to 2014    
Average Realized Prices
    Change from 2013 to 2014  
   
2014
   
2013
       
2014
   
2013
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
Basic organic chemicals
    35,788       32,971       8.5       6,118       6,764       (9.6 )
Synthetic fiber monomers and polymers
    6,496       6,883       (5.6 )     7,220       8,161       (11.5 )
Synthetic resins
    11,603       10,700       8.4       9,679       9,631       0.5  
Synthetic fiber
    1,430       1,488       (3.9 )     9,436       10,356       (8.9 )
Synthetic rubber
    1,207       1,349       (10.5 )     10,549       12,203       (13.6 )
Chemical fertilizer
    598       1,129       (47.0 )     1,686       1,698       (0.7 )

 
The operating expenses of this segment in 2014 were RMB 429.7 billion, representing a decrease of 1.6% over 2013. This was mainly attributable to the decline in chemical feedstock prices which resulted in the decrease in raw material costs by RMB 12.1 billion or 3.3% over 2013.
 
In 2014, the operating loss of this segment was RMB 2.2 billion, compared with an operating profit of RMB 0.9 billion in 2013.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
The operating revenues of the chemicals segment in 2013 were RMB 437.6 billion, representing an increase of 6.2% over 2012, which was mainly attributable to our active exploration of the market resulting in an increase of 7.6% in sales volume of chemical products over 2012, despite of the decrease of 1.1% of the prices for chemical products over 2012.
 
The sales revenues of our six major categories of chemical products (namely basic organic chemicals, synthetic resins, synthetic fiber monomers and polymers for synthetic fiber, synthetic fiber, synthetic rubber and chemical fertilizer) of this segment in 2013 were approximately RMB 416.0 billion, representing an increase of 5.6% compared with 2012, accounting for 95.1% of the operating revenues of this segment.
 
The following table sets forth the sales volume, average realized price and the respective rates of changes for each of these six categories of chemical products of this segment from 2012 to 2013.
 
   
Sales Volume
    Change from 2012 to 2013    
Average Realized Prices
    Change from 2012 to 2013  
   
2013
   
2012
       
2013
   
2012
     
   
(thousand tonnes)
   
(%)
   
(RMB per tonne)
   
(%)
 
Basic organic chemicals
    32,971       29,873       10.4       6,764       6,667       1.5  
Synthetic fiber monomers and polymers
    6,883       6,972       (1.3 )     8,161       8,231       (0.9 )
Synthetic resins
    10,700       10,507       1.8       9,631       9,182       4.9  
Synthetic fiber
    1,488       1,458       2.1       10,356       10,790       (4.0 )
Synthetic rubber
    1,349       1,289       4.7       12,203       17,553       (30.5 )
Chemical fertilizer
    1,129       1,232       (8.4 )     1,698       2,044       (16.9 )

 
The operating expenses of this segment in 2013 were RMB 436.7 billion, representing an increase of 6.3% over 2012. This was mainly attributable to the increase in trade volume and the increase in raw material costs by RMB 25.1 billion or 7.4% over 2012.
 
In 2013, the operating income of this segment was RMB 0.9 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 0.3 billion or 26.3% against 2012, which was mainly because of significant drop of product prices (other than price for basic chemical products and synthetic resin) compared with 2012.
 
Corporate and Others
 
The business activities of corporate and others mainly consist of the import and export business activities of our subsidiaries, research and development activities of us and managerial activities of our headquarters.
 
 
53

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
In 2014, the operating revenue generated from corporate and others was RMB 1,310.2 billion, representing decrease of 3.6% over 2013, which was mainly attributable to the decrease in trading price of crude oil and refined oil products caused by the price cut of international crude oil. This includes operating revenue of RMB 1,306.1 billion from trading companies.
 
In 2014, the operating expenses of this segment was RMB 1,311.3 billion, representing a decrease of 3.8% over 2013. This includes the operating expense of RMB 1,304.3 billion from trading companies.
 
In 2014, the operating loss of this segment was RMB 1.1 billion. This includes operating profit of RMB 1.8 billion from trading companies.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
In 2013, the operating revenue generated from corporate and others was RMB 1,359.1 billion, representing an increase of 3.5% over 2012, which was mainly attributable to the increase in trade volume of crude oil and refined oil products. This includes operating revenue of RMB 1,354.9 billion from trading companies.
 
In 2013, the operating expenses of this segment was RMB 1,362.5 billion, representing an increase of 3.6% over 2012. This includes the operating expense of RMB 1,353.6 billion from trading companies.
 
In 2013, the operating loss of this segment was RMB 3.4 billion.
 
 
D.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Our primary sources of funding have been cash provided by our operating activities, along with short-term and long-term loans. Our primary uses of cash have been for working capital, capital expenditures and repayment of short-term and long-term loans. We arrange and negotiate financing with financial institutions to finance our capital resource requirement, and maintain a certain level of standby credit facilities to reduce liquidity risk. We believe that our current cash on hand, expected cash flows from operations and available standby credit facilities from financial institutions will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements and repay our short term debts and obligations when they become due.
 
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated statements of cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
Statement of cash flow data
 
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(RMB in millions)
 
Net cash generated from operating activities
    148,347       151,893       142,380  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (132,633 )     (178,740 )     (162,197 )
Net cash used/generated from financing activities
    (21,421 )     31,519       5,628  
Net decrease/increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (5,707 )     4,672       (14,189 )

 
The net cash generated from our operating activities in 2014 was RMB 148.3 billion, representing decrease of RMB 3.6 billion over 2013, which was mainly due to the decrease in profit before taxation and improvement on working capital.
 
The net cash generated from our operating activities in 2013 was RMB 151.9 billion, representing an increase of RMB 9.5 billion over 2012, which was mainly due to the increase in pre-tax profit, depreciation, depletion and amortization for the same period.
 
The net cash generated from our operating activities in 2012 was RMB142.4 billion, representing a decrease of RMB8.2 billion over 2011, which was mainly due to the decrease of pre-tax profit for the same period.
 
The net cash used in our investing activities in 2014 was RMB 132.6 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 46.1 billion over 2013, which was mainly due to our control on investment activities, of which capital expenditure and exploration expenses decreased by RMB 30.6 billion and oversea acquisitions and investments in associates and joint ventures decreased by RMB 17.1 billion, compared with 2013.
 
 
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The net cash used in our investing activities in 2013 was RMB 178.7 billion, representing an increase of RMB 16.5 billion over 2012, which was mainly due to the acquisition of equity interests in CIR, Taihu and Mansarovar.
 
The net cash used in our investing activities in 2012 was RMB162.2 billion, representing an increase of RMB21.7 billion over 2011, which reflected the growth of our investments as planned for our rapid development.
 
The net cash outflow from our financing activities in 2014 was RMB 21.4 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 52.9 billion over 2013. This reflected: (i) proceeds from issuing shares decreased by RMB 19.4 billion; (ii) contributions to subsidiaries from non-controlling shareholders decreased by RMB 8.6 billion and (iii) interest bearing debt financing decreased by RMB 23.5 billion.
 
The net cash inflow from our financing activities in 2013 was RMB 31.5 billion, representing an increase of RMB 25.9 billion over 2012. This reflected: (i) increase of cash inflow of RMB 19.4 billion as a result of our H share placement and issuance; (ii) increase of cash inflow of RMB 11.2 billion as a result of non-controlling shareholder’s investments, among which Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Development Co., Ltd. and Sinopec Kantons Holdings Co., Ltd. received RMB 9.2 billion and RMB 2.1 billion, respectively; and (iii) decrease of cash inflow of RMB 4.3 billion from interest-bearing debt financing against 2012.
 
The net cash inflow from our financing activities in 2012 was RMB 5.6 billion, representing an increase of RMB 8.1 billion comparing to a net cash outflow of RMB 2.5 billion in 2011. This reflected: (i) an increase of cash inflow of RMB 16.2 billion from RMB 41.8 billion of corporate bonds issued and bank loans borrowed in 2012; and (ii) an increase in cash outflow of RMB 8.1 billion as a result of dividend and interest payments of RMB 36.2 billion in 2012. In respect of our cash flows, we maintained ongoing and steady growth of operating cash flow throughout 2014 by seizing the favorable opportunities of stable international economic conditions and sound development of domestic economy to continually and consistently expand our operations.  We also further improved our centralized funds management, strictly controlled the size of amount of monetary funds and interest-bearing debts, reduced the level of idle funds and accelerated capital turnover, which contributed to the increase of our efficiency as a whole.
 
In respect of our debts and borrowings, we increased our debts to RMB 329.1 billion at the end of 2014 from RMB 309.5 billion from the beginning of 2014.  Our short-term debts increased by RMB 14.3 billion from the beginning of 2014, and the proportion of short term debts in our total debts increased to 54.1% from 53.0% at the beginning of 2014.  Our long-term debts increased by RMB 5.3 billion from the beginning of 2014, reflecting the increase of debt financing of our company and subsidiaries, and the proportion of long term debts in our total debts decreased to 45.9% from 47.0% at the beginning of 2014.  Our short-term debts primarily consist of revolving loans borrowed according to our business plan and operation needs, and overdrawing agreements entered into on the corporate bank account with our strategic-alliance banks to meet our intra-day payment requirements.
 
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
 
The following table sets forth our obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2014.
 
   
As of December 31, 2014
 
   
Total
   
less than
1 year
   
1-3 years
   
4-5 years
   
After 5 years
 
         
(RMB in millions)
 
Contractual obligations(1)
                             
Short-term debt
    179,437       179,437       -       -       -  
Long-term debt
    173,957       4,590       54,905       32,662       81,800  
Total contractual obligations
    353,394       184,027       54,905       32,662       81,800  
                                         
Other commercial commitments
                                       
Operating lease commitments
    363,974       13,909       26,593       26,047       297,425  
Capital commitments
    241,181       138,795       102,386       -       -  
Exploration and production licenses
    1,356       312       192       41       811  
Guarantees(2)
    5,720       5,720       -       -       -  
Total commercial commitments
    612,231       158,736       129,171       26,088       298,236  
                                         
 
 
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_________
(1)
Contractual obligations include the contractual obligations relating to interest payments.
(2)
Guarantee is not limited by time, therefore specific payment due period is not applicable. As of December 31, 2014, we have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements other than guarantees given to banks in respect of banking facilities granted to certain parties. As of December 31, 2014, the maximum amount of potential future payments under the guarantees was RMB 5.72 billion.  See Note 30 to the consolidated financial statements for further information of the guarantees.
(3)
In addition to these amounts, we have certain obligations that are not contractually fixed as to timing and amount, including obligations associated with decommissioning and restoration. See Note 27 to our consolidated financial statements for further information of the obligations.

Historical and Planned Capital Expenditure
 
The following table sets forth our capital expenditure by segment for the years of 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the capital expenditure in each segment as a percentage of our total capital expenditure for such year.
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
Total
 
   
RMB
   
Percent
   
RMB
   
Percent
   
RMB
   
Percent
   
RMB
   
Percent
 
   
(in billions, except percentage data)
 
Exploration and production
    79.07       46.80 %     105.31       56.88 %     80.20       51.86 %     264.58       52.01 %
Refining
    32.16       19.03 %     26.06       14.08 %     27.96       18.08 %     86.18       16.94 %
Marketing and distribution
    31.72       18.77 %     29.49       15.93 %     26.99       17.45 %     88.20       17.33 %
Chemicals
    23.62       13.98 %     19.19       10.37 %     15.85       10.25 %     58.66       11.53 %
Corporate and others
    2.40       1.42 %     5.08       2.74 %     3.65       2.36 %     11.13       2.19 %
Capital Expenditure
    168.97       100.00 %     185.13       100.00 %     154.64       100.00 %     508.74       100.00 %
                                                                 
 
In 2014, our capital expenditure amounted to RMB 154.64 billion, among which:
 
 
·
Exploration and production. RMB 80.20 billion was used in exploration and production segment to support the development of Jiyang Depression, Sichuan Basin, Tahe oilfield and Ordos Basin, construction of LNG and long-distance oil and gas pipelines in Shandong and Guangxi and the oversea projects. The production capacity of newly-built crude oil was 4.36 million tonnes per annum, and the production capacity of newly-built natural gas was 5.9 billion cubic meters per annum.
 
 
·
Refining. RMB 27.96 billion was used in our refining segment for completion of revamping and oil product quality upgrading projects in Shijiazhuang, Yangtze, Tahe and Jiujiang, as well as our  acquisition of 37.5% interest in YASREF through acquiring COOP from Sinopec Group Company.  We added a refining capacity of 9.5 million tonnes per year in 2014.
 
 
·
Marketing and distribution. RMB 26.99 billion was used in this segment to build and renovate service stations and to construct oil product pipelines and depots. We added 556 service stations in 2014.
 
 
·
Chemicals. RMB 15.85 billion was spent in this segment for construction of the coal chemical plant at Sinopec Great Wall Energy and Chemical Industry (Ningxia) Company Ltd. and the Qilu acrylonitrile project. We added a processing capacity of 190,000 tonnes per year for ethylene and 600,000 tonnes per year for synthetic resin in 2014.
 
 
·
Corporate and others. RMB 3.65 billion was used for research and development and construction of information systems.
 
In 2015, we will continue to focus on improving growth quality and efficiency, implement strict investment management procedures in arranging investments and organizing construction project. The total planned capital expenditure in 2015 amounts to RMB 135.9 billion, including:
 
 
·
Exploration and production. The planned capital expenditure in 2015 for this segment is approximately RMB 68.2 billion. We expect to focus on the exploration and production of Fuling shale gas project. We
 
 
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also expect to support our construction of production capacity for our key crude oil and natural gas projects in Shengli, Sichuan Basin, Tahe, Junggar Basin and Ordos Basin as well as overseas projects, and the construction of LNG and natural gas pipelines in Guangxi and Tianjin.
 
 
·
Refining. The planned capital expenditure in 2015 for this segment is RMB 24.0 billion. We expect to focus on oil product quality upgrade projects and renovation projects including Qilu and Jiujiang.
 
 
·
Marketing and distribution. The planned capital expenditure in 2015 for this segment is RMB 22.6 billion. We expect to focus on the construction and renovation of services stations, further construction of oil product pipelines, optimization of layout of oil houses, development of ancillary projects for non-oil businesses and improvement of our storage and transportation facilities.
 
 
·
Chemicals. The planned capital expenditure in 2015 for this segment is RMB 15.1 billion. We expect to focus on construction of Jinling propylene oxide and LPG utilization project and the phase II of Hainan PX project.
 
 
·
Corporate and others. The planned capital expenditure in 2015 for this segment is RMB 6.0 billion. We expect to focus on scientific research equipment and construction of information systems.
 
Research and Development
 
Our expenditures for the research and development were RMB 5.84 billion in 2012, RMB 6.34 billion in 2013, and RMB 5.62 billion in 2014.
 
Consumer Price Index
 
According to the data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, the consumer price index in the PRC increased by 2.0% in 2014, compared with an increase of 2.6% in 2013 and an increase of 2.6% in 2012. According to China’s official analysis, the inflation in the PRC during 2014 was due to the increase in prices of food and fix assets investment. Inflation has not had a significant impact on our results of operations in 2014.
 
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
 
 
A.
DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
 
Directors
 
The table and discussion below set forth certain information concerning our directors. The current term for all our directors is three years, which will expire in May 2015.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Positions with Sinopec Corp.
Fu Chengyu
 
63
 
Chairman
Wang Tianpu
 
52
 
Vice Chairman
Zhang Yaocang
 
61
 
Vice Chairman
Li Chunguang
 
59
 
Director, President
Zhang Jianhua
 
50
 
Director, Senior Vice President
Wang Zhigang
 
57
 
Director, Senior Vice President
Cao Yaofeng
 
61
 
Director
Dai Houliang
 
51
 
Director, Senior Vice President
Liu Yun
 
58
 
Director
Chen Xiaojin
 
70
 
Independent Non-executive Director
Ma Weihua
 
66
 
Independent Non-executive Director
Jiang Xiaoming
 
61
 
Independent Non-executive Director
Andrew Y. Yan
 
57
 
Independent Non-executive Director
Bao Guoming
 
63
 
Independent Non-executive Director
Cai Xiyou(1)
 
53
 
Director, Senior Vice President

(1)
In October 2014, Mr. Cai Xiyou tendered his resignation as the director, member of the Strategy Committee of the Board and Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp. due to work-related arrangement.
 
 
57

 
 
Fu Chengyu, aged 63, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp., President and Secretary of Communist Party of China (“CPC”) Leading Group of Sinopec Group Company. Mr. Fu is a professor level senior engineer and obtained a master’s degree. In 1983, he successively served as Chairman of the Joint Management Committee of the joint venture projects established between China National Offshore Oil Corporation (“CNOOC”) and foreign oil giants such as Amoco, Chevron, Texaco, Phillips, Shell and Agip, etc; from 1994 to 1995, he served as Deputy General Manager of China Offshore Oil Nanhai East Corporation; in December 1995, he served as vice president of USA Phillips International Petroleum Company (Asia), and concurrently as General Manager of the Xijiang Development Project; in April 1999, he was appointed as General Manager of China National Offshore Oil Nanhai East Corporation; in September 1999, he was appointed as Executive Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of China National Offshore Oil Co., Ltd; in October 2000, he was appointed as Deputy General Manager of CNOOC; in December 2000, he concurrently served as President of China National Offshore Oil Co., Ltd; in August 2002, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China Oilfield Services Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CNOOC; in October 2003, he served as General Manager of CNOOC, and concurrently as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China National Offshore Oil Co., Ltd; in September 2010, Mr. Fu resigned the post of Chief Executive Officer of China National Offshore Oil Co., Ltd and continued to serve as Chairman; in April 2011, he served as Chairman and Secretary of CPC Leading Group of Sinopec Group Company; in May 2011, he was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp.

Wang Tianpu, aged 52, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp., Director and President of Sinopec Group Company. Mr. Wang is a professor level senior engineer with a PhD degree. In March 1999, he was appointed as Vice President of Qilu Petrochemical Company, Sinopec Group Company; in February 2000, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Qilu Company; in September 2000, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Qilu Company; in August 2001, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in April 2003, he was appointed as Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in March 2005, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2006, he was elected as Director and appointed as President of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2009, he was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Sinopec Corp.; in August 2011, he was elected as Director and President of Sinopec Group Company; in May 2013, he was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board of Sinopec Corp.

Zhang Yaocang, aged 61, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Zhang is a professor level senior engineer with a graduate degree from graduate school. In November 1990, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Bureau of Petroleum Geology and Marine Geology, Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources (“MGMR”); in February 1994, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee and Deputy Director General of Bureau of Petroleum Geology and Marine Geology, MGMR; in June 1997, he was appointed as Deputy Secretary of CPC Leading Group and Executive Vice President of Sinopec Star Petroleum Co., Ltd.; in April 2000, he was appointed as Assistant to President of Sinopec Group Company and concurrently as President of Sinopec Star Petroleum Co., Ltd.; in August 2000, he was appointed concurrently as Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Star Petroleum Co., Ltd.; in July 2001, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Group Company; in December 2003, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec International Petroleum Service Corporation; in January 2007, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation; in May 2009, he was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp.

Li Chunguang, aged 59, Director and President of Sinopec Corp. and Vice President of Sinopec Group Company. Mr. Li is a professor level senior engineer and with a university diploma. In August 1991, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Sales Company North China Branch; in October 1995, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Sales Company; in June 2001, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd.; in December 2001, he was appointed as Director General of Oil Product Sales Department of Sinopec Corp.; in April 2002 he was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd.; in April 2003, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in November 2005, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Group Company; in May 2009, he was elected as Director of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2013, he was elected as Director and President of Sinopec Corp.

Zhang Jianhua, aged 50, Director and Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Zhang is a professor level senior engineer with a PhD degree. In April 1999, he was appointed as Vice President of Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Company of Sinopec Group Company; in February 2000, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Company; in September 2000, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Company; in April 2003, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in November 2003, he was appointed concurrently as Director General of Production and Operation Management Department of Sinopec Corp.; in March 2005, he was appointed as Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in June 2007, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd; in October 2014, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd.; and in May 2006, he was elected as Director and appointed as Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

 
58

 

Wang Zhigang, aged 57, Director and Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Wang is a professor level senior engineer with a PhD Degree. In February 2000, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Co., Ltd.; in June 2000, he served as Director and President of Shengli Oilfield Co., Ltd.; in November 2001, he was appointed temporally as Deputy Director General and Deputy Secretary of CPC Leading Group of Economic and Trade Commission, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; in April 2003, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in June 2003, he was appointed as Director General of Exploration and Production Department of Sinopec Corp.; in March 2005, he was appointed as Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in January 2007, he was appointed concurrently as Vice Chairman of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation; in September 2014, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation; and in May 2006, he was elected as Director and appointed as Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

Cao Yaofeng, aged 61, Director of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Cao is a professor level senior engineer with a master degree. In April 1997, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Shengli Petroleum Administration; in May 2000, he served as concurrently as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Co., Ltd.; in December 2001, he served as Director and President of Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Co., Ltd.; in December 2002, he served as Director General of Shengli Petroleum Administration of Sinopec Group Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Company Limited; from April 2003 to May 2006, he served as Employee Representative Director of Sinopec Corp.; in October 2004, he was appointed as Assistant to President of Sinopec Group Company; in June 2012, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec Oilfield Service Corporation; in 2013, he was appointed as academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering; and in May 2009, he was elected as Director of Sinopec Corp.

Dai Houliang, aged 51, Director and Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Dai is a professor level senior engineer with a PhD degree. In December 1997, he was appointed as Vice President of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation; in April 1998, he served as Director and Vice President of Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd.; in July 2002, he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, President of Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and Director of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation; in December 2003, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation; in December 2004, he served concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Directors of BASF-YPC Company Limited; in September 2005, he was appointed as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Sinopec Corp.; in November 2005, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2006, he served as Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sinopec Corp.; in August 2008, he was concurrently appointed as the Chairman of Petro-Cyberworks Information Technology Co., Ltd. (PCITC) and Sinopec Technology Development Company; in August 2012, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec Great Wall Energy & Chemical Co., Ltd.; in March 2013, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec Catalyst Co., Ltd.; and in May 2009, he was elected as Director and appointed as Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

Liu Yun, aged 58, Director of Sinopec Corp., Chief Accountant of Sinopec Group Company. Mr. Liu is a professor level senior accountant with a master degree. In December 1998, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Finance Department of Sinopec Group Company; in February 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Finance Department of Sinopec Corp.; in January 2001, he was appointed as Director General of Finance Department of Sinopec Corp.; in June 2006, he was appointed as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Sinopec Corp.; in February 2009, he was appointed as Chief Accountant of Sinopec Group Company; and in May 2012, he was appointed concurrently as the Chairman of Sinopec Finance Co., Ltd.; in September 2013, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of Sinopec Insurance Co., Ltd.; and in May 2009, he was elected as Director of Sinopec Corp.

Chen Xiaojin, aged 70, Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Chen is a senior engineer (research fellow level) with a university diploma. In December 1982, he was appointed as President of Tianjin Shipbuilding Industry Corporation; in January 1985, he was appointed successively as Vice President and President of CNOOC Platform Corporation; in February 1987, he was appointed successively as Director General of Operation Department, Director General of Foreign Affairs Bureau, Director General of International Affairs Department in China State Shipbuilding Corporation and Deputy President of China State Shipbuilding Trading Company; in December 1988, he was appointed as Vice President of China State Shipbuilding Corporation; in January 1989, he was appointed concurrently as President of China State Shipbuilding Trading Company; in October 1996, he was elected as concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Directors of China State Shipbuilding Trading Company; from June 1999 to July 2008, he served as President and Secretary of CPC Leading Group of China State Shipbuilding Corporation; in May 2009, he was elected as Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp.

Ma Weihua, aged 66, Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Ma is a senior economist with a PhD degree. Mr. Ma is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wing Lung Bank Ltd., Independent Non-executive Director of Winox Holdings Ltd., Independent Director of the Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd. (GTJA), Independent Director of China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited, Independent Director of China Resource Land Limited,

 
59

 

Independent Director of Huabao Investment Co., Ltd., and Independent Director of China World Trade Co., Ltd. In May 1988, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of the General Affairs Office of the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”); in March 1990, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of Fund Planning Department of PBOC; in October 1992, he was appointed as the President and Secretary of the CPC Leading Group of the Hainan Branch of PBOC; in January 1999, he was appointed as the Director, Governor and Secretary of the CPC Committee of China Merchants Bank; and in May 2010, he was elected as Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp.

Jiang Xiaoming, aged 61, Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Jiang has a doctorate in economics. Presently, he acts as the member of the national committee of CPPCC, director of China Foundation for Disabled Persons, member of the United Nations Board of Investment, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Saibo International Co., Ltd., Independent Director of COSCO International and SPG Land (Holdings) Ltd., Senior Fellow of the University of Cambridge Business School, and trustee of University of Cambridge China Development Fund. Between 1992 and 1998, he acted as the Vice President of United Nations Staff Retirement Fund; between 1999 and 2003, he acted as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Frasers Property (China) Co., Ltd.; and he has previously acted as the Director of JSW Energy Ltd., member of the Advisory Committee of American Capital Group and Rothschild, the British Investment Bank, and Independent Director of China Oilfield Services Co., Ltd. From May 2012 to the present, he has acted as Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp.

Andrew Y. Yan, aged 57, Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Yan is the founding Managing Partner of SAIF Partners and has a master degree. Presently, he acts as the Independent Non-executive Director of China Resources Land Limited, CPMC Holdings Limited and Cogobuy Group, the Non-executive Director of Digital China Holdings Limited, China Huiyuan Juice Group Limited, Feng Deli Holdings Limited and Guodian Technology & Environment Group Corporation Limited; the Independent Director of Beijing BlueFocus Brand Management Consulting Co, Ltd.; and the Director of ATA Co., Ltd. From 1989 to 1994, he acted as the Economist of the World Bank headquarters in Washington, Senior Fellow of Hudson Institute, an American famous research think tank, and acted as the director of APAC Strategic Planning & Business Development of Sprint International Corporation; between 1994 and 2001, he acted as the Managing Director (Emerging Markets Partnership) and Director of Hong Kong Office of AIG Asia Infrastructural Investment Fund. And from May 2012 to the present, he has acted as Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp.

Bao Guoming, aged 63, Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp. Ms. Bao is a Professor,, an international registered internal auditor and Certified Public Accountant of China with a master degree. Since December of 1992, she acted as associate professor of Accounting Department of International Business School of Nankai University, and since December of 1995, as Professor of Accounting Department of International Business School of Nankai University; since November of 1997, as the Vice Director of Accounting Department of International Business School of Nankai University; since April of 1999, as the Vice Director of the Audit Cadre Training Center of National Audit Office; since February of 2003, as the Director of the Audit Cadre Training Center of National Audit Office; since July of 2004, as the Director of the Administrative Audit Department of National Audit Office; since February of 2010, as the Director-Level Auditor of the Laws and Regulations Department of National Audit Office; since July of 2010, as the Vice-Chairman and Secretary General of China Internal Audit Association. From May 2012 to the present, she has acted as Independent Non-executive Director of Sinopec Corp. Ms. Bao is an expert who enjoys the State Council Special Allowance.

Supervisors
 
The table and discussion below set forth certain information concerning our supervisors. The current term of our supervisors is three years, which will expire in May 2015.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position with the Company 
Xu Bin
 
58
 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
Geng Limin
 
60
 
Supervisor
Li Xinjian
 
61
 
Supervisor
Zou Huiping
 
54
 
Supervisor
Kang Mingde
 
64
 
Independent Supervisor
Zhou Shiliang
 
57
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
Chen Mingzheng
 
57
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
Jiang Zhenying
 
50
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
Yu Renming
 
51
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
 
 
60

 

Xu Bin, aged 58, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Xu is a professor level senior administration engineer with a university diploma. Since June 1999, he acted as Deputy Director of the 6th Discipline Inspection and Monitoring Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of CPC; since April 2000, as Deputy Director of the 3rd Discipline Inspection and Monitoring Office of CCDI of CPC; since November 2004, as the Bureau Level Inspector, Supervisory Attaché and Deputy Director of the 3rd Discipline Inspection and Monitoring Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of CPC; since November 2006, as the Director of the Petition Letters and Visits Office of Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of CPC; since May 2011, as the Member of the CPC Leading Group of Sinopec Group Company and the Team Leader of the Discipline Inspection Group for CPC Leading Group of Sinopec Group Company; and since October 2011, as the Director of Sinopec Group Company. And since May 2012, he has acted as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Sinopec Corp.

Geng Limin, aged 60, Supervisor of Sinopec Corp., Director General of Supervision Department of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Geng is a professor level senior administration engineer with a college diploma. In February 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Supervision Department of Sinopec Corp. and Deputy Director General of Supervision Bureau of Sinopec Group Company; in January 2007, he was appointed as Deputy Secretary of CPC Committee, Secretary of Discipline Inspection Committee as well as Labour Union Chairman of Sinopec Chemical Products Sales Company; in August 2008, he was appointed as Director General of Supervision Department of Sinopec Corp. and Vice Leader of Discipline Inspection Group for CPC Leading Group of Sinopec Group Company and Director General of Supervision Bureau of Sinopec Group Company; and in May 2009, he was elected as Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Li Xinjian, aged 61, Supervisor of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Li is a senior administration engineer with a university diploma. In February 2001, he was appointed as Director of General Office and Assistant Inspector of Leading Group of Promotion of Cultural and Ideological Progress Central Office of the CPC Central Committee; in June 2004, he was appointed as Deputy Secretary of Central Office of CPC Central Committee and Director of General Office of Leading Group of Promotion of Cultural and Ideological Progress Central Office of the CPC Central Committee; in January 2006, he was appointed concurrently as Deputy Director General of HR Department of the Central Office of the CPC Central Committee; and in March 2008, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of the General Office of Sinopec Group Company and Deputy Director General of President Office of Sinopec Corp. (Director General Level). In May 2012, he was elected as Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Zou Huiping, aged 54, Supervisor of Sinopec Corp. and Director General of Auditing Department of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Zou is a professor level senior accountant with a university diploma. In November 1998, he was appointed as Chief Accountant in Guangzhou Petrochemical General Plant of Sinopec Group Company; in February 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Finance & Assets Department of Sinopec Group Company; in December 2001, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Finance & Planning Department of Sinopec Group Company; in March 2006, he was appointed as Director General of Finance & Assets Department of Assets Management Co., Ltd. of Sinopec Group Company; in March 2006, he was appointed as Director General of Auditing Department of Sinopec Corp.; and in May 2006, he was elected as Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Kang Mingde, aged 64, Independent Supervisor of Sinopec Corp., Mr. Kang obtained a college diploma. Since January 1992, he worked in the 6th Discipline Inspection Office of CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Ministry of Supervision, and was appointed as officer (deputy director level) Deputy Director, director, Inspector (Deputy Director General level), and Supervision Commissioner; since January 2005, he was appointed as the Discipline Inspector (Deputy Director General level) and Supervision Commissioner of the first Discipline Inspection Office of CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Ministry of Supervision; between November 2010 and July 2011, he was appointed as the Discipline Inspector (Director level) and Supervision Commissioner of the first Discipline Inspection Office of CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Ministry of Supervision; and in May 2012, he was elected as Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Zhou Shiliang, aged 57, Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Zhou is a professor level senior engineer with a master degree. In February 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Petroleum Exploration Bureau; in September 2000, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Oilfield Company; in April 2002, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee and Vice President in Sinopec South Exploration & Production Company; in April 2006, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee and Deputy Director General in Sinopec Henan Petroleum Exploration Bureau; in November 2007, he was appointed as Director General of HR Department of Sinopec Corp.; since June 2012, he has acted as the Secretary of CPC Committee and Supervisory Committee, Chairman of the Labour Union and Supervisory Board of Sinopec Oilfield Service Corporation; in September 2014, he was appointed as the Secretary of CPC Committee, Director and Vice President of Sinopec Oilfield Service Co., Ltd.; and in May 2009, he was elected as Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

 
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Chen Mingzheng, aged 57, Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp., Vice President of Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Company. Mr. Chen is a senior engineer with a graduate degree from graduate school. In November 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of North China Petroleum Bureau under Sinopec Star Petroleum Co., Ltd.; in June 2003, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of North China Petroleum Bureau under Sinopec Group Company; in October 2004, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee in North China Petroleum Bureau under Sinopec Group Company; in March 2008, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Northwest Bureau and Vice President of Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Company; in March 2014, he was appointed concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Xinjiang Energy Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; in September 2014, he was appointed as President, Vice Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Northwest Bureau and President of Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Company; in May 2009, he was elected as Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Jiang Zhenying, aged 50, Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp., General Director, Executive Director and Deputy Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Procurement Management Department, and President of China Petrochemical International Co., Ltd. Mr. Jiang is a professor level senior economist with a doctor degree. In December 1998, he was appointed as the Vice President of the China Petrochemical Supplies & Equipment Co., Ltd.; in February 2000, he was appointed as the Deputy Director General of Sinopec Procurement Management Department; in December 2001, he was appointed as the Director General of Sinopec Procurement Management Department and in November 2005 he concurrently held the positions of Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Secretary of CPC Committee of China Petrochemical International Co., Ltd.; in March 2006, he was appointed as the Director General, Executive Director and Secretary of the CPC Committee of Sinopec Procurement Management Department, President of China Petrochemical International Co., Ltd.; in April 2010, he was appointed as the Director General, Executive Director and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of Sinopec Procurement Management Department and President of China Petrochemical International Co., Ltd. ; in November 2014, he was appointed as Director General of Security Management Department of Sinopec Corp.;and in December 2010, he was elected as the Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Yu Renming, aged 51, Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp., Director General of Sinopec Production Management Department. Mr. Yu is a professor level senior engineer with a university degree. In June 2000, he was appointed as the Vice President of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd.; in June 2003, he was appointed as the Director and Vice President of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd.; in September 2006, he was appointed as the Vice President of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company; in September 2007, he was appointed as the President and the Vice Secretary of CPC committee of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company; in January 2008, he was appointed as the Director General of Sinopec Production Management Department; in May 2014, he was elected as Director General of the Production Dispatch Center of Sinopec Corp.; and in December 2010, he was elected as Employees’ Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.

Other Executive Officers
 
Name
 
Age
 
Positions with Sinopec Corp.
Zhang Haichao
 
57
 
Vice President
Jiao Fangzheng
 
52
 
Vice President
Wang Xinhua
 
59
 
Chief Financial Officer
Lei Dianwu
 
52
 
Vice President
Ling Yiqun
 
52
 
Vice President
Jiang Zhenghong
 
53
 
Vice President
Chang Zhenyong(1)
 
56
 
Vice President
Huang Wensheng(1)
 
48
 
Secretary of the Board of Directors/Vice President
Wang Yongjian(2)
 
54
 
Vice President
 
(1) In May 2014, Mr. Chang Zhenyong and Mr. Huang Wensheng were appointed Vice Presidents of Sinopec Corp.
(2) In August 2014, Mr. Wang Yongjian tendered his resignation as Vice President of the Sinopec Corp. due to work-related reasons.

Zhang Haichao, aged 57, Vice President of Sinopec Corp, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd., Vice President of Sinopec Group Company. Mr. Zhang is a professor level senior economist with a master degree. In March 1998, he was appointed as Vice President of Zhejiang Petroleum Corporation; in September 1999, he was appointed as President of Zhejiang Petroleum Corporation; in February 2000, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Zhejiang Petroleum Co., Ltd.; in April 2004, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec-BP Zhejiang Petroleum Sales Co., Ltd.; in April 2003, he was elected as Employee’s Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.; in October 2004, he served as Secretary of CPC Committee, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Vice President of Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd.; in November 2005 he served as Secretary of CPC Committee, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and President of Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd.; in June 2006, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and President of Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd.; and in November 2005, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

 
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Jiao Fangzheng, aged 52, Vice President of Sinopec Corp., Vice President of Sinopec Group Company, Director General of Sinopec Exploration and Production Department. Mr. Jiao is a professor level senior engineer with a PhD degree. In January 1999, he was appointed as Chief Geologist in Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau of Sinopec Group Company; in February 2000, he was appointed as Vice President and Chief Geologist of Sinopec Zhongyuan Oilfield Company; in July 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Sinopec Petroleum Exploration & Development Research Institute; in March 2001, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Sinopec Exploration & Production Department; in June 2004, he was appointed as President of Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Company; in July 2010, he was appointed as the Director General of Sinopec Exploration & Production Department; in July 2014, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Group Company; in September 2014, he was elected concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Oilfield Service Co., Ltd. and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation; in February 2015, he was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company (YCF) and in October 2006, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.
 
Wang Xinhua, aged 59, Chief Financial Officer of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Wang is a professor level senior accountant with a university diploma. In January 2001, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Finance & Assets Department of Sinopec Group Company; in December 2001, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Finance & Planning Department of Sinopec Group Company; in October 2004, he was appointed as Director General of Finance & Planning Department of Sinopec Group Company; in May 2008, he was appointed as Director General of Finance Department of Sinopec Group Company; in March 2009, he was appointed as Director General of Finance Department of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2009, he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Sinopec Corp.
 
Lei Dianwu, aged 52, Vice President of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Lei is a Professor level Senior Engineer with a university diploma. In October 1995, he was appointed as Vice President of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation; in December 1997, he was appointed as Director General of Planning & Development Department in China Eastern United Petrochemical (Group) Co., Ltd.; in May 1998, he was appointed as Vice President of Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation; in August 1998 he was appointed as Vice President of Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd.; in March 1999, he was appointed temporarily as Deputy Director General of Development & Planning Department of Sinopec Group Company; in February 2000, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of Development & Planning Department of Sinopec Corp.; in March 2001, he was appointed as Director General of Development & Planning Department of Sinopec Corp.; in March 2009, he was appointed as Assistant to President of Sinopec Group Company; in August 2013, he was appointed as the Chief Economist of Sinopec Group Company; and in May 2009, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

Ling Yiqun, aged 52, Vice President of Sinopec Corp. and President of Sinopec Qilu Company. Mr. Ling is a professor level senior engineer with a master degree. From 1983, he worked in the refinery of Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical Company and the Refining Department of Beijing Yanshan Petrochemical Company Ltd. In February 2000, he was appointed as the Deputy General Director of Refining Department of Sinopec Corp.; in June 2003, he was appointed as the Director General of Refining Department of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2012, he was appointed as Executive Director, President and Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Refinery Product Sales Company Limited; in August 2013, he was appointed as the President of Sinopec Qilu Company; in July 2010, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

Jiang Zhenghong, aged 53, Vice President of Sinopec Corp., Director General of Department of Corporate Reform of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Jiang is a professor level senior economist with a doctor degree. In September 2000, he became Vice President of Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and Sinopec Shanghai Gaoqiao Company; in September 2001, he was appointed as President of Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Co., Ltd.; from April 2006, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee and Vice President of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company; from September 2006, he was appointed as Secretary of CPC Committee and Vice President of Zhenhai subsidiary of Sinopec Group Company; in March 2008, he was promoted to President and Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company; from July 2010, he was appointed as President and Deputy Secretary of CPC Committee of Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company; Since August 2013, he was appointed as the Director General of Sinopec Corporate Reform Department; since September 2013, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

Chang Zhenyong, aged 56, Vice President of Sinopec Corp., Director General of Chemical Department of Sinopec Corp., Executive Director and President of Sinopec Chemical Products Sales Co., Ltd. Mr. Chang is a professor level senior engineer with a master’s degree. In September 1997, he was appointed as Vice President of Tianjin Petrochemical Company, Vice President and President of Sinopec Tianjin Company; from February 2004 to November 2005, he was

 
63

 

appointed temporally as Member, Standing Committee of CPC Committee and deputy mayor of Beihai, Guangxi; in November 2005, he was appointed as Director General of Production and Operation Management Department of Sinopec Corp.; in December 2007, he was appointed President and Deputy Secretary of CPC Committee of Qilu Petrochemical Company and President of Sinopec Qilu Company; from April 2010 to December 2010, he was appointed as Employee-Representative Supervisor of Sinopec Corp.; in July 2010, he was appointed as Deputy Chief Engineer and concurrently as Director General of Chemicals Department of Sinopec Corp.; in August 2012, he was appointed concurrently as Director of Sinopec Xinjiang Energy Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Great Wall Energy & Chemical Co., Ltd. and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zhongtian Hechuang Energy Co., Ltd.; in November 2014, he was appointed as Executive Director and President of Sinopec Chemical Products Sales Co., Ltd. and concurrently as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinopec Chemical Products Sales (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd.; and in May 2014, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

Huang Wensheng, aged 48, Vice President of Sinopec Corp., Secretary to the Board of Directors and Director General of the Board Secretariat of Sinopec Corp. Mr. Huang is a professor level senior economist with a university diploma. In March 2003, he was appointed as Deputy Director General of the Board Secretariat of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2006, he was appointed as Representative on Securities Matters of Sinopec Corp.; since August 2009, He has served as the Deputy Director General of President’s office of Sinopec Corp. In September 2009, he was appointed as Director General of the Board Secretariat of Sinopec Corp.; in May 2012, he was appointed as Secretary to the Board of Directors of Sinopec Corp.; and in May 2014, he was appointed as Vice President of Sinopec Corp.

 
B.
COMPENSATION
 
Salaries of Directors, Supervisors and Members of the Senior Management
 
Our directors and supervisors who hold working posts with us and other senior management members receive their remuneration in the form of basic salary and performance rewards.
 
The following table sets forth the compensation on individual basis for our directors, supervisors and executive officers who received compensation from us in 2014.
 
Name
 
Position with the Company
 
Remuneration paid by the Company in 2014
       
(RMB in thousands)
Directors
       
Fu Chengyu
 
Chairman
 
Wang Tianpu
 
Vice Chairman
 
Zhang Yaocang
 
Vice Chairman
 
Li Chunguang
 
Director, President
 
972.9
Zhang Jianhua
 
Director, Senior Vice President
 
974.9
Wang Zhigang
 
Director, Senior Vice President
 
974.9
Cai Xiyou(1)
 
Director, Senior Vice President
 
867.0
Cao Yaofeng
 
Director
 
Dai Houliang
 
Director, Senior Vice President
 
969.1
Liu Yun
 
Director
 
Chen Xiaojin
 
Independent Non-executive Director
 
300.0
Ma Weihua
 
Independent Non-executive Director
 
300.0
Jiang Xiaoming
 
Independent Non-executive Director
 
300.0
Andrew Y. Yan
 
Independent Non-executive Director
 
300.0
Bao Guoming
 
Independent Non-executive Director
 
300.0
         
Supervisors
       
Xu Bin
 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
 
Geng Limin
 
Supervisor
 
Li Xinjian
 
Supervisor
 
Zou Huiping
 
Supervisor
 
552.7
Kang Mingde
 
Independent Supervisor
 
Zhou Shiliang
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
 
Chen Mingzheng
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
 
559.0
Jiang Zhenying
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
 
539.5
Yu Renming
 
Employee Representative Supervisor
 
598.2
 
 
64

 
 
Other Executive officers
       
Zhang Haichao
 
Vice President
 
685.1
Jiao Fangzheng
 
Vice President
 
685.1
Wang Xinhua
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
640.8
Lei Dianwu
 
Vice President
 
633.8
Ling Yiqun
 
Vice President
 
633.8
Jiang Zhenghong
 
Vice President
 
645.0
Chang Zhenyong(2)
 
Vice President
 
295.0(3)
Huang Wensheng(2)
 
Secretary of the Board of Directors/Vice President
 
560.5
____________________

(1)
In October 2014, Mr. Cai Xiyou tendered his resignation as Director, member of the Strategy Committee of the Board and Senior Vice President of Sinopec Corp. due to new working arrangement.
(2)
In May 2014, Mr. Chang Zhenyong and Mr. Huang Wensheng were appointed as Vice Presidents.
(3)
Remuneration for Mr. Chang Zhenyong reflected the amount he received after being appointed as Vice President.
 
 
C.
BOARD PRACTICE
 
We have fourteen directors. We have four special board committees, namely, the audit committee, the strategic committee, the remuneration and evaluation committee and social responsibility management committee. The majority of the members of the remuneration and evaluation committee and all members of the audit committee are independent directors.  In addition, there is at least one independent director who is a financial expert in the audit committee.
 
The main responsibilities of the audit committee include:
 
 
·
to propose the appointment or replacement of the independent auditor;
 
 
·
to oversee the internal auditing system and its implementation;
 
 
·
to coordinate the communication between the internal auditing department and the independent auditor;
 
 
·
to examine and approve financial information and it disclosure; and
 
 
·
to examine the internal control system.
 
The members of our audit committee are Bao Guoming, Jiang Xiaoming and Andrew Y. Yan, all of whom are our Independent Non-executive Directors. Our Board has determined that Bao Guoming qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
 
The main responsibilities of the strategic committee are to conduct research and put forward proposals on the long-term development strategy and significant investments.
 
The members of our strategic committee are Fu Chengyu, Wang Tianpu, Li Chunguang, Ma Weihua, Zhang Jianhua, Wang Zhigang, Dai Houliang, Jiang Xiaoming and Andrew Y. Yan.
 
The main responsibilities of the remuneration and evaluation committee include:
 
 
·
to research on evaluation criteria for directors and the president, to conduct their evaluations and make necessary suggestions; and
 
 
·
to research on and review the policies and scheme in respect of the remuneration of directors, supervisors and executive officers, and make necessary suggestions.
 
The members of our remuneration and evaluation committee are Chen Xiaojin, Wang Tianpu and Bao Guoming.
 
The main responsibilities of the social responsibility management committee are to research on the policy, governance, strategy and planning for the Company’s social responsibility and put forward proposals to the Board. The members of social responsibility management committee are Fu Chengyu, Wang Tianpu, Li Chunguang, Chen Xiaojin and Ma Weihua.
 
 
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Our directors have entered into directors service contracts with us and under such contracts, there is no severance pay arrangements for our directors.
 
 
D.
EMPLOYEES
 
As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we had approximately 376,201 and 368,953 and 358,571 employees, respectively. The following table sets forth the number of our employees by our business segments, their scope of work and their education as of December 31, 2014.
 
By Segment
 
Number of Employees
 
Percentage of Total Number of Employees (%)
Exploration and production
 
144,103
 
40
Refining
 
78,725
 
22
Marketing and distribution
 
57,256
 
16
Chemicals
 
67,017
 
19
Corporate and others
 
11,470
 
3
Total
 
358,571
 
100
         
By Employee’s Scope of Work
 
Number of Employees
 
Percentage of Total Number of Employees (%)
Production
 
178,875
 
50
Sales
 
49,670
 
14
Technical
 
53,066
 
15
Finance
 
9,628
 
2
Administration
 
2,868
 
1
Others
 
64,464
 
18
Total
 
358,571
 
100
         
By Education
 
Number of Employees
 
Percentage of Total Number of Employees (%)
Master’s degree and above
 
13,919
 
4
University
 
92,670
 
26
Junior college
 
79,615
 
22
Technical secondary school
 
27,399
 
8
Senior high school and technical school degree or below
 
144,968
 
40
Total
 
358,571
 
100
         
We have trade unions that protect employee rights, organize educational programs, assist in the fulfillment of economic objectives, encourage employee participation in management decisions, and assist in mediating disputes between us and individual employees. We have not been subject to any strikes or other labor disturbances that have interfered with our operation, and we believe that our relations with our employees are good.
 
The total remuneration of our employees includes salary, performance bonuses and allowances. Employees also receive certain subsidies in housing, health services, education and other miscellaneous items.
 
As of December 31, 2014, a total of 205,386 employees have retired and all of them were participants in the basic pension schemes administered by provincial (autonomous region or municipalities) governments. Government-administered pension schemes are responsible for the payments of basic pensions.
 
 
E.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
 
As of December 31, 2014, except our vice president Ling Yiqun who holds 13,000 shares of our A shares, none of our directors, supervisors and executive officers beneficially own any of our shares.
 
 
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ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
 
A.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
 
The following table sets forth information regarding our 5% or more shareholders as of April 3, 2015.
 
Shareholder
 
Number of Shares Owned (in millions)
 
Percentage of Ownership (%)
Sinopec Group Company
 
85,720,671,101(1)
 
70.8(1)

(1) Inclusive of 553,150,000 H shares held by Sinopec Century Bright Capital Investment Ltd. (overseas wholly-owned subsidiary of  Sinopec Group Company) under HKSCC Nominees Limited.

As of April 3, 2015, 1,121,891,500 H shares were registered in the name of a nominee of Citibank, N.A., the depositary under our ADS deposit agreement. Citibank, N.A. has advised us that, as of April 3, 2015, 11,218,915 ADSs, representing 1,121,891,500 H shares, were held of record by Cede & Co. and 39 other registered shareholders domiciled in and outside of the United States. We have no further information as to our shares held, or beneficially owned, by U.S. persons.
 
To avoid the adverse effects brought by the competition between us and Sinopec Group Company to the maximum extent possible, we and Sinopec Group Company have entered into a non-competition agreement whereby Sinopec Group Company has agreed to: refrain from operating new businesses which compete or could compete with us in any of our domestic or international markets; grant us an option to purchase Sinopec Group Company’s operations that compete or could compete with our businesses; operate its sales enterprises in a manner uniform to our sales and service operations; and appoint us as sales agent for certain of its products which compete or could compete with our products. To further avoid the competition with us, Sinopec Group Company granted us an undertaking, as amended, whereby Sinopec Group Company undertakes that: first, we shall become the sole platform which deals with the exploration and production of oil and gas, oil refining, chemicals, sale of petroleum products; second, Sinopec Group Company will dispose its minor remaining chemicals business by April 2019 in order to avoid the competition with us with regard to the chemicals business; and third, given that Sinopec Group Company engages in the same or similar businesses as us with regard to the exploration and production of overseas petroleum and natural gas, Sinopec Group Company further granted us a ten-year option under which (i) we are entitled, after thorough analysis from political, economic and other perspectives, to require Sinopec Group Company to sell its overseas oil and gas assets owned as of the date of the undertaking, to the extent remaining in its possession, to us; and (ii) in relation to the overseas oil and gas assets acquired by Sinopec Group Company after issuance of the undertaking, we are entitled, after thorough analysis from political, economic and other perspectives, to require Sinopec Group Company to sell its equity interests in these assets to us within ten years after the completion of such acquisition, provided that the aforementioned proposed acquisitions comply with the applicable laws and regulations, contractual obligations and other procedural requirements.
 
 
B.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Sinopec Group Company owned 70.8% of our outstanding equity as of April 3, 2015. Sinopec Group Company is able to exercise all the rights of a controlling shareholder, including the election of directors and voting in respect of amendments to our articles of association. Sinopec Group Company, as our controlling shareholder, is subject to certain non-controlling shareholder protection provisions under our articles of association.
 
We have engaged from time to time and will continue to engage in a variety of transactions with Sinopec Group Company, which provide a number of services to us, including ancillary supply, transport, educational and community services. The nature of our transactions with Sinopec Group Company is governed by a number of service and other contracts between Sinopec Group Company and us.  A discussion of these agreements and arrangements is set forth under the heading “Item 7 – Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions” in our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000, April 13, 2007, May 20, 2009, April 30, 2010 and April 11, 2013 respectively, and under the heading “Item 4 – Information on the Company – History and Development of the Company” of this annual report.
 
In 2010, we acquired a 55% equity interest of SSI from Sinopec Overseas Oil & Gas Limited (“SOOGL”), a subsidiary of Sinopec Group Company for a cash consideration of $1.678 billion. SSI holds a 50% interest in Angola Block 18.
 
 
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In 2013, we acquired, through a joint venture, owned by Sinopec Group Company and us on an equal basis, from Sinopec Group Company (i) 50% interest in CIR, (ii) 49% interest in Taihu, and (iii) 50% interest in Mansarovar, for a cash consideration of $2.711 billion in the aggregate.
 
In September 2014, in connection with our plan to spin off Yizheng Chemical, we acquired all of Yizheng Chemical’s assets and liabilities. As consideration, our 40.25% equity interest in Yizheng Chemical was repurchased and cancelled by Yizheng Chemical. Subsequently, through a series of inter-group company restructuring steps, Yizheng Chemical was spun off from us in December 2014. In the same year, SOI and SCC, two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into acquisition agreements with two subsidiaries of Sinopec Group Company, pursuant to which SOI and SCC acquired 99% and 1% membership interests in COOP, respectively, from the two subsidiaries of Sinopec Group Company with an aggregate consideration of US$562 million. Upon completion of the acquisition, we indirectly held 100% interest in COOP, which holds 37.5% interest in YASREF.
 
For our related party transaction starting from January 1, 2014, please also see Note 31 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for a detailed discussion of our related party transactions.
 
The aggregate amount of related party transactions we incurred during 2014 was RMB 520.522 billion, of which, expenses amounted to RMB 215.211 billion (including RMB 195.735 billion of purchase of goods and services, RMB 6.753 billion of auxiliary and social services, RMB 11.302 billion of operating lease charges and RMB 1.421 billion of interest expenses), and revenues amounted to RMB 305.311 billion (including RMB 305.044 billion of sales of goods and services, RMB 0.135 billion of interest income and RMB 0.132 billion of agency commission receivable).
 
In 2014, we provided RMB 5.96 billion of loans to certain subsidiaries of Sinopec Group Company. In addition, we obtained loans with a net amount of RMB 53.69 billion from certain subsidiaries of Sinopec Group Company in 2014.
 
The amounts of the aforementioned continuing related party transactions with Sinopec Group Company did not exceed the upper limit as approved our by shareholders’ meetings and board meetings.
 
 
C.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
A.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
See consolidated financial statements included in this annual report following Item 19.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We are involved in certain judicial and arbitral proceedings before Chinese courts or arbitral bodies concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses. We believe, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
Dividend Distribution Policy
 
In 2012, we amended our articles of association based on its original framework. Our dividend distribution policy was amended. According to our amended articles of association:
 
 
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Our board of directors will determine the payment of dividends, if any, with respect to our shares on a per share basis. Any final dividend for a financial year shall be subject to shareholders’ approval. The board may declare interim and special dividends at any time under general authorization by a shareholders’ ordinary resolution. A decision to declare or to pay any dividends in the future, and the amount of any dividends, will depend on our results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, the payment by our subsidiaries of cash dividends to us, future prospects and other factors which our directors may determine are important.
 
For holders of our H shares, cash dividend payments, if any, shall be declared by our board of directors in Renminbi and paid in HK dollars. The depositary will convert the HK dollar dividend payments and distribute them to holders of ADSs in US dollars, less expenses of conversion.
 
The Company may distribute dividends in the following forms: cash, shares or other forms provided by laws, administrative rules, regulations of competent authorities and regulatory provisions in the place where the Company’s shares are listed. The Company shall give priority to the distribution of dividends in cash. The Company may make interim dividends distribution. The Company shall distribute cash dividends when the Company’s net profit and retained earnings, in separate financial statement, are positive and the Company has adequate cash inflows over the requirements of cash outflows of operation and sustainable development. The cash dividends per annum should not be less than thirty (30) percent of the net profit of the Company in the current year. Dividends in the form of shares will be distributed to the depositary and, except as otherwise described in the Deposit Agreement, will be distributed by the depositary in the form of additional ADSs, to holders of ADSs.

In accordance with the board resolution passed at the twenty-third meeting of our fifths board, our board has proposed to make a final cash dividend distribution for 2014 of RMB 0.11 (including tax) per ordinary share in addition to an interim cash dividend distribution of RMB 0.09 (including tax) per ordinary share earlier in 2014. Therefore, the full-year aggregate cash dividend for 2014 is RMB 0.20 (including tax) per ordinary share.  The proposal is subject to the shareholder’s approval at the annual general meeting.
 
 
B.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
 
None.
 
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
 
 
A.
OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
 
Not applicable, except for Item 9A(4) and Item 9C.
 
Our H Shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Code: 0386), and our ADSs, each representing 100 H Shares, have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “SNP”, since we completed our initial public offering on October 19, 2000. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our H Shares. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the principal non-U.S. trading market for our H Shares.  Our publicly traded domestic shares, or A shares, are listed on the Stock Exchange of Shanghai since August 8, 2001 (Code: 600028).
 
On February 14, 2013, we completed a placing of an aggregate of 2,845,234,000 new H shares at a price of HK$8.45 per share. The net proceeds from such placing are HK$23.97 billion.
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices per H Share, as reported on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, per ADS, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange and per A share, as reported on the Stock Exchange of Shanghai.
 
 
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The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
 
The New York Stock Exchange
 
The Shanghai Stock Exchange
Period
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
April 2015 (as of April 2, 2015)
 
6.27
 
6.22
 
80.60
 
80.00
 
6.56
 
6.42
 
Past 6 months
 
(HK dollar per H share)
 
(US dollar per ADS)
 
(RMB per A share)
2015
 
March
 
6.50
 
6.01
 
83.68
 
76.93
 
6.49
 
5.95
2015
 
February
 
6.53
 
6.07
 
83.80
 
78.41
 
6.32
 
5.68
2015
 
January
 
6.36
 
6.06
 
81.91
 
79.04
 
7.18
 
6.03
2014
 
December
 
6.59
 
5.93
 
85.60
 
76.12
 
6.56
 
5.41
2014
 
November
 
6.72
 
6.17
 
86.98
 
80.15
 
5.39
 
5.08
2014
 
October
 
6.80
 
6.51
 
87.79
 
84.26
 
5.30
 
5.02
                             
 
Quarterly Data
                       
2015
 
First Quarter
 
6.53
 
6.01
 
83.80
 
76.93
 
7.18
 
5.68
2014
 
Fourth Quarter
 
6.80
 
5.93
 
87.79
 
76.12
 
6.56
 
5.02
   
Third Quarter
 
8.18
 
6.80
 
105.28
 
87.30
 
5.74
 
4.89
   
Second Quarter
 
7.49
 
6.64
 
97.43
 
86.45
 
5.44
 
4.49
   
First Quarter
 
7.06
 
5.74
 
90.21
 
74.53
 
5.41
 
4.38
2013
 
Fourth Quarter
 
7.01
 
5.97
 
90.15
 
76.64
 
5.05
 
4.27
   
Third Quarter
 
6.25
 
5.12
 
80.89
 
67.42
 
4.69
 
4.14
   
Second Quarter
 
7.03
 
5.08
 
90.19
 
65.95
 
5.67
 
4.10
   
First Quarter
 
7.26
 
6.62
 
94.36
 
85.00
 
5.94
 
5.20
                             
 
Annual Data
                       
2014
     
8.18
 
5.74
 
105.28
 
74.53
 
6.56
 
4.38
2013
     
7.26
 
5.08
 
94.36
 
65.95
 
5.94
 
4.10
2012
     
9.63
 
6.43
 
124.95
 
82.69
 
7.86
 
5.80
2011
     
8.75
 
6.45
 
111.89
 
83.21
 
9.27
 
6.86
2010
     
7.94
 
5.75
 
102.69
 
73.80
 
13.90
 
7.77
___________
Source: Bloomberg

ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
 
A.
SHARE CAPITAL
 
Not applicable.
 
 
B.
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
 
The following is a summary of certain provisions of our articles of association and its appendices, as amended, the Company Law of the PRC (2006) and certain other applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. You and your advisors should refer to the text of our articles of association, as amended, and to the texts of applicable laws and regulations for further information.
 
Objects and Purposes
 
We are a joint stock limited company established in accordance with the Company Law and certain other laws and regulations of the PRC. We are registered with the PRC State Administration of Industry and Commerce with business license number 100000000032985. Article 12 of our articles of association provides that our scope of businesses includes, among other things, the production, storage, pipeline transportation, land transportation, water transportation and sale of non-coal mines (oil and natural gas etc.), dangerous chemicals (ethylene, propylene, butadiene and naphtha etc.), heavy oil, rubber and other chemical raw materials and products; oil refining; wholesaling and retailing (for subsidiaries only) of gasoline, kerosene and diesel oil; the production, storage, transportation and sale of natural gas chemicals and coal chemicals; sale of lubricant, fuel oil, solvent naphtha and asphalt; production of chemical fertilizer; operation of LPG station, sales of CNG, LNG, LPG and city gas; operation of electrical vehicle charging station; production, supervision of manufacturing, installation of oil and petrochemical machinery and equipment; purchase and sale of oil and petrochemical raw and auxiliary materials, equipment and parts; technology and information, research, development, application and consultation of alternative energy products; production and sales of electricity, steam, water and industrial gases; wholesaling of farm, forestry and pasture products; operation of general merchandise convenience stores; wholesaling and retailing of knitted garments and housewares; wholesaling and retailing of cultural and sports goods and equipment; sale of
 
 
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food, beverages and tobacco products; wholesaling and retailing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices; retailing of automobiles, motorcycles and components; repair and maintenance of and technical training for automobiles and motorcycles; wholesaling and retailing of machineries, hardware products, electronic products and household appliances; retailing of furniture and materials for indoor decoration; stalls, no-store sale and other forms of retail business; general merchandise retail; accommodation and catering services; residents´ services; transportation agency services; warehousing; operation of self-owned properties; lease of machineries; media, advertising and acting as commission agent; insurance brokerage and agency services; financial trust and management services; E-commerce; self-operation of and acting as agency for the import and export of various commodities and technologies other than those restricted or prohibited by the state from import and export; contractor of overseas mechanical, electronics, petrochemical projects and domestic international bid-inviting projects; export of equipment and materials required for the aforementioned overseas projects; dispatch of labour required for the aforementioned overseas projects.
 
Directors
 
Our directors shall be elected at our shareholders’ general meeting. Cumulative voting shall be adopted for the election of directors if a controlling shareholder controls 30% or more of our shares. Details of the cumulative voting mechanism are set forth in Article 59 of the Rules and Procedures for the Shareholders’ General Meetings that is an appendix to, and forms an integral part of, our articles of association. Our directors shall be elected for a term of three years and may serve consecutive terms upon re-election, except that independent directors may only serve a maximum of two terms. Our directors are not required to hold any shares in us, and there is no age limit requirement for the retirement or non-retirement of our directors.
 
Where a director is materially interested, directly or indirectly, in a contract, transaction or arrangement (including any proposed contract, transaction or arrangement) with us, he or she shall declare the nature and extent of his or her interests to the board of directors at the earliest opportunity, whether or not such contract, transaction or arrangement is otherwise subject to the approval of the board. A director shall not vote, and shall not be counted in the quorum of the meeting, on any resolution concerning any contract, transaction or arrangement where the director owns material rights or interests therein. A director is deemed to be interested in a contract, transaction or arrangement in which his associate (as defined by the Listing Rule of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) is interested.
 
Unless the interested director discloses his interests to the board and the contract, transaction or arrangement in which the director is materially interested is approved by the board at a meeting in which the director neither votes nor is not counted in the quorum, such contract, transaction or arrangement shall be voidable by us except with respect to a bona fide party thereto who does not have notice of the director’s interests.
 
We are prohibited from making loans or providing guarantees to our directors and their associates except where such loan or guarantee is to meet expenditure requirement incurred or to be incurred by the director for the purposes of the company or for the purpose of enabling the director to perform his or her duties properly in accordance with the terms of a service contract approved by the shareholders in a general meeting.
 
The board of directors shall examine and approve the amount of the long-term loans for the current year according to the annual investment plan as approved by the shareholders’ general meeting. The chairman of the board of directors is authorized to make adjustments of no more than 10% of the total amount of the long-term loans as approved by the board of directors for the current year. Within the total amount of the long-term loans as approved by the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors is authorized to approve and execute individual long-term loan agreement with the loan amount exceeding RMB 1 billion, and the president is authorized to approve and execute individual long-term loan agreement with the loan amount not exceeding RMB 1 billion. Within the total amount of the working capital loans for the current year as approved by the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors is authorized to execute the overall short-term loan facility agreement for raising working capitals as we need.
 
Matters relating to the remuneration of our directors shall be determined by the shareholders’ general meeting.
 
Dividends
 
A distribution of final dividends for any financial year is subject to shareholders’ approval. Except as otherwise decided by Shareholders’ meeting, the board of directors may make decision on the distribution of interim dividends.  Except as otherwise provided by laws and regulations, the sum of interim dividends shall not exceed 50 percents of the net profit for the half year interim period. Dividends may be distributed in the forms of cash, shares or other forms provided by laws, administrative rules or regulations of competent authorities and regulatory provisions in the place where the Company’s shares are listed. The Company shall give priority to the distribution of dividends in cash. A distribution of shares, however, must be approved by special resolution of the shareholders.
 
 
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Dividends may only be distributed after allowance has been made for:
 
 
·
recovery of losses, if any;
 
 
·
allocations to the statutory surplus reserve fund; and
 
 
·
allocations to a discretionary surplus reserve fund if approved by the shareholders.
 
The allocations to the statutory surplus reserve fund shall be 10% of our after-tax profits of the current year determined in accordance with ASBE. In the event that the statutory surplus reserve balance reaches fifty (50) percent of the registered capital of the Company, no allocation is needed.
 
The articles of association require us to appoint on behalf of the holders of H shares a receiving agent which is registered as a trust corporation under the Trustee Ordinance of Hong Kong to receive dividends declared by us in respect of the H shares on behalf of such shareholders. The articles of association require that cash dividends in respect of H shares be declared in Renminbi and paid by us in HK dollars. The depositary of our ADSs will convert such proceeds into U.S. dollars and will remit such converted proceeds to our holders of ADSs. If we record no profit for the year, we may not normally distribute dividends for the year.
 
Dividend payments may be subject to PRC withholding tax.
 
Voting Rights and Shareholders’ Meetings
 
Our board of directors shall convene a shareholders’ annual general meeting once every year and within six months from the end of the preceding financial year. Our board shall convene an extraordinary general meeting within two months of the occurrence of any one of the following events:
 
 
·
where the number of directors is less than the number stipulated in the PRC Company Law or two-thirds of the number specified in our articles of association;
 
 
·
where our unrecovered losses reach one-third of the total amount of our actually paid-in share capital;
 
 
·
where shareholder(s) holding 10% or more of our issued and outstanding voting shares request(s) in writing the convening of an extraordinary general meeting;
 
 
·
whenever our board deems necessary or our board of supervisors so requests; or
 
 
·
circumstances provided in the articles of association.
 
Meetings of a special class of shareholders must be called in certain enumerated situations when the rights of the holders of such class of shares may be modified or adversely affected as discussed below. Proposals made by the board of directors, the board of supervisors or shareholder(s) holding 3% or more of the total number of voting shares shall be included in the agenda for the relevant general meeting if they are matters which fall within the scope of the functions and powers of shareholders in general meeting. Shareholder(s) holding 3% or more of the total shares of the Company may put forward interim motions by written proposals to the convener 10 days before the shareholders’ general meeting. The convener shall publish supplementary notice to announce the interim motion within two days upon receiving.
 
All shareholders’ meetings must be convened by our board of directors by written notice given to shareholders no less than 45 days before the meeting, by our board of supervisors or certain qualified shareholders in case a shareholders’ meeting is not convened by our board of directors and board of supervisors. Shareholder(s) holding 10% or more the total number of shares of the Company have the right to convene and chair the interim shareholders’ general meeting or class shareholders’ meeting in accordance with the provisions in laws, administrative rules and the articles of association, in the event that the board of directors and the board of supervisors fail to convene and chair such meeting upon demand made by such shareholders. Based on the written replies received by us 20 days before a shareholders’ meeting, we shall calculate the number of voting shares represented by shareholders who have indicated that they intend to attend the meeting. Where the number of voting shares represented by those shareholders amount to more than one-half of our total voting shares, we may convene the shareholders’ general meeting (regardless of the number of shareholders who actually attend). Otherwise, we shall, within five days, inform the shareholders again of the motions to be considered and the date and venue of the meeting by way of public announcement. After the announcement is made, the shareholders’ meeting may be convened.
 
 
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The accidental omission by us to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, a shareholder will not invalidate the proceedings at that shareholders’ meeting.
 
Shareholders at meetings have the power, among other things, to approve or reject our profit distribution plans, annual budget, financial statements, increase or decrease in share capital, issuance of debentures, merger or liquidation and any amendment to our articles of association.  Shareholders of the shares which the Company issues to foreign investors for subscription in foreign currencies possess the same rights and undertake the same obligations as those of the shares which the Company issues to domestic investors for subscription in Renminbi.  In addition, the rights of a class of shareholders may not be modified or abrogated, unless approved by a special resolution of all shareholders at a general shareholders’ meeting and by a special resolution of shareholders of that class of shares at a separate meeting. Our articles of association enumerate, without limitation, certain amendments which would be deemed to be a modification or abrogation of the rights of a class of shareholders, including increasing or decreasing the number of shares of a class disproportionate to increases or decreases of other classes of shares, removing or reducing rights to receive dividends in a particular currency or creating shares with voting or equity rights superior to shares of such class.
 
Cumulative voting in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations in effect is adopted for the election of directors and supervisors. For all other matters, each share is entitled to one vote on all such matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders at all shareholders’ meetings, except for meetings of a special class of shareholders where only holders of shares of the affected class are entitled to vote on the basis of one vote per share of the affected class.
 
Shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at meetings either in person or by proxy. Proxies must be in writing and deposited at our legal address, or such other place as is specified in the meeting notice, no less than 24 hours before the time for holding the meeting at which the proxy proposes to vote or the time appointed for the passing of the relevant resolution(s). When the instrument appointing a proxy is executed by the shareholder’s attorney-in-fact, such proxy when deposited must be accompanied by a notary certified copy of the relevant power of attorney or other authority under which the proxy was executed.
 
Except for those actions discussed below which require supermajority votes (“special resolutions”), resolutions of the shareholders are passed by a simple majority of the voting shares held by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy. Special resolutions must be passed by or more than two-thirds of the voting rights represented held by shareholders who are present in person or by proxy.
 
The following decisions must be adopted by special resolution:
 
 
·
an increase or reduction of our share capital or the issue of shares, including stock distributions, of any class, warrants and other similar securities;
 
 
·
issuance of debentures;
 
 
·
our division, merger, dissolution and liquidation; (Shareholders who object to a proposed division or merger are entitled to demand that either we or the shareholders who approved the merger purchase their shares at a fair price.)
 
 
·
amendments to our articles of association and its appendices;
 
 
·
change of our company form;
 
 
·
acquisition or disposal of material assets or provision of material guarantee within one year, with the value exceeding 30% of our latest audited total assets;
 
 
·
any stock incentive plan;
 
 
·
any other matters required by laws and regulations or our articles of association and its appendices or considered by the shareholders in a general meeting and which they have resolved by way of an ordinary resolution to be of a nature which may have a material impact on us and should be adopted by special resolution.
 
All other actions taken by the shareholders, including the appointment and removal of our directors and supervisors and the declaration of cash dividend payments, will be decided by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders. The listing agreement between us and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (the “Listing Agreement”) provided that we may
 
 
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not permit amendments to certain sections of the articles of association which have been mandated by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. These sections include provisions relating to:
 
 
·
varying the rights of existing classes of shares;
 
 
·
voting rights;
 
 
·
our power to purchase our own shares;
 
 
·
rights of non-controlling shareholders; and
 
 
·
procedure on liquidation.
 
In addition, certain amendments to the articles of association require the approval and consent of the relevant PRC authorities.
 
Any shareholder resolution which is in violation of any laws or administrative regulations of the PRC will be null and void subject to statutory procedures.
 
Liquidation Rights
 
In the event of our liquidation, the H shares will rank pari passu with the domestic ordinary shares, and payment of debts out of our remaining assets shall be made in the order of priority prescribed by applicable laws and regulations or, if no such standards exist, in accordance with such procedure as the liquidation committee which has been appointed either by us or the People’s Court of the PRC may consider to be fair and reasonable. After payment of debts, we shall distribute the remaining property to shareholders according to the class and proportion of their shareholders.
 
Further Capital Call
 
Shareholders are not liable to make any further contribution to the share capital other than according to the terms, which were agreed by the subscriber of the relevant shares at the time of subscription.
 
Increases in Share Capital and Preemptive Rights
 
The articles of association require the approval by a special resolution of the shareholders and by special resolution of holders of domestic ordinary shares and oversea-listed foreign invested shares at separate shareholder class meetings be obtained prior to authorizing, allotting, issuing or granting shares, securities convertible into shares or options, warrants or similar rights to subscribe for any shares or such convertible securities. No such approval is required if, but only to the extent that:
 
 
·
we issue domestic ordinary shares and/or overseas-listed foreign-invested shares, either separately or concurrently, in numbers not exceeding 20% of the number of domestic ordinary shares and overseas-listed foreign-invested shares then in issue, respectively, in any 12-month period, as approved by a special resolution of the shareholders; or
 
 
·
if our plans for issuing domestic ordinary shares and overseas-listed foreign-invested shares upon our establishment are implemented within fifteen months of the date of approval by the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
 
New issues of shares must also be approved by the relevant PRC authorities.
 
Reduction of Share Capital and Purchase by Us of Our Shares and General Mandate to Repurchase Shares
 
We may reduce our registered share capital only upon obtaining the approval of the shareholders by a special resolution and, in certain circumstances, of relevant PRC authorities. The number of H shares, which may be purchased is subject to the Hong Kong Takeovers and Share Repurchase Codes.
 
 
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Restrictions on Large or Controlling Shareholders
 
Our articles of association provide that, in addition to any obligation imposed by laws and administration regulations or required by the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our H shares are listed, a controlling shareholder shall not exercise his voting rights in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the shareholders generally or of some part of the shareholders:
 
 
·
to relieve a director or supervisor from his or her duty to act honestly in our best interests;
 
 
·
to approve the expropriation by a director or supervisor (for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of another person) of our assets in any way, including, without limitation, opportunities which may benefit us; or
 
 
·
to approve the expropriation by a director or supervisor (for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of another person) of the individual rights of other shareholders, including, without limitation, rights to distributions and voting rights (save according to a restructuring of our company which has been submitted for approval by the shareholders in a general meeting in accordance with our articles of association and its appendices).
 
A controlling shareholder, however, will not be precluded by our articles of association or any laws and administrative regulations or the listing rules of the stock exchanges on which our H shares are listed from voting on these matters.
 
A controlling shareholder is defined by our articles of association as any person who acting alone or in concert with others:
 
 
·
is in a position to elect half or more of the board of directors;
 
 
·
has the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, 30% or more of our voting rights;
 
 
·
acting separately or in concert with others, holds 30% or more of our issued and outstanding shares,; or
 
 
·
acting separately or in concert with others, has de facto control of us in any other way.
 
As of the date of this annual report, Sinopec Group Company is and will be our only controlling shareholder.
 
Disclosure
 
The Listing Agreement imposes a requirement on us to keep the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, our shareholders and other holders of our listed securities informed as soon as reasonably practicable of any information relating to us and our subsidiaries, including information on any major new developments which are not public knowledge, which:
 
 
·
is necessary to enable them and the public to appraise the position of us and our subsidiaries;
 
 
·
is necessary to avoid the establishment of a false market in its securities; and
 
 
·
might be reasonably expected materially to affect market activity in and the price of its securities.
 
There are also requirements under the Listing Rules for us to obtain prior shareholders’ approval and/or to disclose to shareholders details of certain acquisitions or disposals of assets and other transactions (including transactions with controlling shareholders).
 
Sources of Shareholders’ Rights
 
The PRC’s legal system is based on written statutes and is a system in which decided legal cases have little precedent value. The PRC’s legal system is similar to civil law systems in this regard. In 1979, the PRC began the process of developing its legal system by undertaking to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws. In December 1993, the Standing Committee of the 8th National People’s Congress adopted the PRC Company Law. On October 27, 2005, the PRC Company law was amended by the Standing Committee of the 10th National People’s Congress, and came into force on January 1, 2006. The amended PRC Company Law enhanced the protection of shareholders’ rights primarily in the following regards:

 
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·
Shareholders holding 10 percent or more of the shares of the company are entitled to petition the court to dissolve the company if (i) the company is in serious operational difficulties; (ii) its continuing existence will seriously prejudice the interests of the shareholders; and (iii) such difficulties cannot be resolved through any other means;
 
 
·
Shareholders holding 1 percent or more of the shares of the company for more than 180 consecutive days are entitled to request the board of supervisors (in terms of directors and senior management) or the board of directors (in terms of supervisors) to bring legal proceedings, or bring legal proceedings in their own name on behalf of the company where it is in emergency and the company will be subject to irreparable loss if not to do so, against directors, supervisors or senior management who fail to comply with the laws and regulations or the company’s articles of association in the course of performing their duties and cause loss to the company;
 
 
·
Shareholders who oppose the company’s decision on merger or separation are entitled to request the company to repurchase their shares; and
 
 
·
Shareholders holding 10 percent or more of the voting rights of the company are entitled to convene a shareholders’ meeting.
 
Currently, the primary sources of shareholder rights are our articles of association, as amended, the PRC Company Law and the Listing Rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which, among other things, impose certain standards of conduct, fairness and disclosure on us, our directors and our controlling shareholder, i.e., Sinopec Group Company. To facilitate the offering and listing of shares of PRC companies overseas, and to regulate the behavior of companies whose shares are listed overseas, the State Council Securities Committee and the State Commission for Restructuring the Economic System issued on August 27, 1994 the Mandatory Provisions for articles of association of Company Listing Overseas (the “Mandatory Provisions”). These Mandatory Provisions become entrenched in that, once they are incorporated into the articles of association of a PRC company, any amendment to those provisions will only become effective after approval by the SASAC. The Listing Rules require a number of additional provisions to the Mandatory Provisions to be included in the articles of association of PRC companies listing H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (the “Additional Provisions”). The Mandatory Provisions and the Additional Provisions have been incorporated into our articles of association.
 
In addition, upon the listing of and for so long as the H shares are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we will be subject to those relevant ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, including the Listing Rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Securities (Disclosure of Interests) Ordinance (the “SDI Ordinance”), the Securities (Insider Dealing) Ordinance and the Hong Kong Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Repurchases (the “Hong Kong Takeovers and Repurchase Codes”).
 
Unless otherwise specified, all rights, obligations and protections discussed below derive from our articles of association and/or the PRC Company Law.
 
Enforceability of Shareholders’ Rights
 
There has not been any public disclosure in relation to the enforcement by holders of H shares of their rights under constitutive documents of joint stock limited companies or the PRC Company Law or in the application or interpretation of the PRC or Hong Kong regulatory provisions applicable to PRC joint stock limited companies.
 
In most states of the United States, shareholders may sue a corporation “derivatively”. A derivative suit involves the commencement by a shareholder of a corporate cause of action against persons (including corporate officers, directors or controlling shareholders) who have allegedly wronged the corporation, where the corporation itself has failed to enforce such claim against such persons directly. Such action is brought based upon a primary right of the corporation, but is asserted by a shareholder on behalf of the corporation. The PRC company law as amended in October 2005 and effective in January 2006 has also granted shareholders with the rights to bring such derivative suits.
 
Our articles of association provide that all differences or claims, arising from any provision of our articles of association, any right or obligation conferred or imposed by the PRC Company Law or any other relevant law or administrative regulation which concerns our affairs:
 
 
·
between a holder of overseas-listed foreign-invested shares and us;
 
 
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·
between a holder of overseas-listed foreign-invested shares and any of our directors, supervisors, general managers, deputy general managers or other senior officers; or
 
 
·
between a holder of overseas-listed foreign-invested shares and a holder of domestic ordinary shares
 
must be referred to arbitration at either the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission in the PRC or the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center, and the laws of the PRC shall apply, save as otherwise provided in the laws and administrative regulations. Our articles of association provide that such arbitration will be final and conclusive. In June 1999, an arrangement was made between the People’s Courts of the PRC and the courts of Hong Kong to mutually enforce arbitration rewards rendered in the PRC and Hong Kong according to their respective laws. This new arrangement was approved by the Supreme Court of the PRC and the Hong Kong Legislative Council and became effective on February 1, 2000. We have provided an undertaking to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that, at such time, if any, as all applicable laws and regulations of the PRC and (unless our H shares are no longer listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) all applicable regulations of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd. shall not prohibit, and to the extent Section 14 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, so requires, our board of directors shall propose an amendment to the articles of association which would permit shareholders to adjudicate disputes arising between our shareholders and us, our directors, supervisors or officers by means of judicial proceedings.
 
The holders of H shares will not be able to bring actions on the basis of violations of the Listing Rules and must rely on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to enforce its rules. The SDI Ordinance establishes certain obligations in relation to disclosure of shareholder interests in Hong Kong listed companies, the violation of which is subject to prosecution by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Takeovers and Repurchase Codes do not have the force of law and are only standards of commercial conduct considered acceptable for takeover and merger transactions and share repurchases in Hong Kong as established by the Securities and Futures Commission and the securities and futures industry in Hong Kong.
 
We have appointed our representative office, located at 410 Park Avenue, 22nd Fl., New York, NY 10022, USA, as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in certain courts in New York under the United States federal and New York State’s securities laws. However, as the PRC does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts within the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan or most other the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, administrative actions brought by regulatory authorities, such as the Commission, and other actions which result in foreign court judgments, could (assuming such actions are not required by PRC law and the articles of association to be arbitrated) only be enforced in the PRC on a reciprocal basis or according to relevant international treaty to which China is a party if such judgments or rulings do not violate the basic principles of the law of the PRC or the sovereignty, security and public interest of the society of the PRC, as determined by a People’s Court of the PRC which has the jurisdiction for recognition and enforcement of judgments. We have been advised by our PRC counsel, Haiwen & Partners, that there is certain doubt as to the enforceability in the PRC of actions to enforce judgments of United States courts arising out of or based on the ownership of H shares or ADSs, including judgments arising out of or based on the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securities laws.
 
Restrictions on Transferability and the Share Register
 
As provided in the articles of associations we may refuse to register a transfer of H shares unless:
 
 
·
any relevant transfer fee is paid;
 
 
·
the instrument of transfer is only related to H shares listed in Hong Kong;
 
 
·
the instrument of transfer is accompanied by the share certificates to which it relates, or such other evidence is given as may be reasonably necessary to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
 
 
·
the stamp duty which is chargeable on the instrument of transfer has already been paid;
 
 
·
if it is intended that the shares be transferred to joint owners, the maximum number of joint owners shall not be more than four (4); and
 
 
·
the Company does not have any lien on the relevant shares.
 
 
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We are required to keep a register of our shareholders which shall be comprised of various parts, including one part which is to be maintained in Hong Kong in relation to H shares to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Shareholders have the right to inspect and, for a nominal charge, to copy the share register. No transfers of ordinary shares shall be recorded in our share register within 30 days prior to the date of a shareholders’ general meeting or within 5 days prior to the record date established for the purpose of distributing a dividend.
 
We have appointed HKSCC Registrars Limited to act as the registrar of our H shares. This registrar maintains our register of holders of H shares at our offices in Hong Kong and enters transfers of shares in such register upon the presentation of the documents described above.
 
 
C.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
 
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described under “Item 4.  Information on the Company”, “Item 7 - Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” or elsewhere in this Form 20-F.
 
 
D.
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
 
The existing foreign exchange regulations have significantly reduced government foreign exchange controls for transactions under the current account, including trade and service related foreign exchange transactions and payment of dividends. We may undertake current account foreign exchange transactions without prior approval from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange by producing commercial documents evidencing such transactions, provided that they are processed through Chinese banks licensed to engage in foreign exchange transactions. The PRC government has stated publicly that it intends to make the Renminbi freely convertible in the future. However, we cannot predict whether the PRC government will continue its existing foreign exchange policy and when the PRC government will allow free conversion of Renminbi to foreign currency.
 
Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. These limitations could affect our ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing, or to obtain foreign exchange for capital expenditures.
 
On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar.  Under the new policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a band against a basket of certain foreign currencies.
 
On January 4, 2006, the PBOC authorized the China Foreign Exchange Trade System to publish the exchange rate of the Renminbi against the US dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, and the HK dollar at 9:15 am of each business day, which would be the medium exchange rate of Renminbi for transactions on the interbank spot foreign exchange market (over-the-counter transactions and automatic price-matching transactions) as well as transactions over bank counters.
 
On June 19, 2010, the PRC government decided to further promote the Renminbi exchange rate formation mechanism, and enhance the flexibility of Renminbi exchange rate.  Any fluctuation of exchange rate of the Renminbi against US dollars and Hong Kong dollars may have an effect on our revenues and financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency terms. We cannot assure you that the fluctuation of exchange rate of the Renminbi against US dollars or other foreign currencies would not have a material and adverse effect on our operation and financial condition in the future. Information relating to the exchange risk, exchange rate and hedging activities is presented in “Item 11. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market risk ¾ Foreign Exchange Rate Risk”.
 
 
E.
TAXATION
 
PRC Taxation
 
The following discussion addresses the principal PRC tax consequences of investing in the H shares or ADSs.
 
 
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Taxation of Dividends
 
Individual Investors
 
According to the PRC Individual Income Tax Law, as amended, dividends paid by Chinese companies are ordinarily subject to a Chinese withholding tax levied at a flat rate of 20%. For a foreign individual who has no domicile and does not stay in the territory of China or who has no domicile but has stayed in the territory of China for less than one year, the receipt of dividends from a company in China is normally subject to a withholding tax of 20% unless reduced or exempted by an applicable tax treaties.
 
Foreign Enterprises
 
In accordance with the new Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules that became effective on January 1, 2008, dividends derived from the revenues accumulated from January 1, 2008 and are paid to non-resident enterprises, which are established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions and have no establishment or place of business in China or whose dividends from China do not relate to their establishment or place of business in China, are generally subject to a PRC withholding tax levied at a rate of 10% unless exempted or reduced pursuant to an applicable double-taxation treaty or other exemptions. Dividends paid by PRC companies to resident enterprises, including enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC, are not subject to any PRC withholding tax, unless the investment income are derived from the publicly traded shares which have been held continuously by the resident enterprises for less than twelve months. Dividends, bonuses and other return based on equity investment that a non-resident enterprise with establishment or place of business in China receives from a resident enterprise and that have actual connection with such establishment or place of business are also exempted from any PRC withholding tax, except for investment income derived from the publicly traded shares which have been held continuously by the resident enterprises for less than 12 months. Chinese resident enterprises are required to withhold PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 10% on dividends paid for 2009 and later years’ earnings payable to their respective H Shares holders that are “non-resident enterprises,” except for those holders whose dividend income is not subject to PRC enterprise income tax pursuant to PRC governmental approval.
 
Tax Treaties
 
Holders resident in countries which have entered into avoidance of double taxation treaties or arrangements with the PRC may be entitled to a reduction or exemption of the withholding tax imposed on the payment of dividends. The PRC currently has avoidance of double taxation treaties or arrangements with a number of other countries/jurisdictions , which include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
 
Under a tax treaty between United States and China, China may tax dividends paid by Sinopec Corp. to eligible US Holders up to a maximum of 10% of the gross amount of such dividend. Under the tax treaty, an eligible US Holder is a person who, by reason of domicile, residence, place of head office, place of incorporation or any other criterion of similar nature is liable to tax in the United States, subject to a detailed “treaty shopping” provision.
 
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect
 
Pursuant to the “Notice for the tax policies in relation to the Pilot Program for Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect” (Caishui [2014] No.81) (the “Notice No.81”), for PRC investors investing in our H Shares through Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, we shall withhold and pay income tax at the rate of 20% on behalf of individual investors and securities investment funds. We will not withhold or pay the income tax of dividends for PRC corporate investors and such corporate investors shall be responsible for the relevant tax. For investors of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (including corporates and individuals) investing in our A Shares through Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, we will withhold and pay income taxes at the rate of 10% on behalf of such investors. For investors who are tax residents of other countries which have entered into tax treaties with China stipulating a dividend tax rate of less than 10%, they may be entitled to a reduction or exemption of the withholding tax imposed on the payment of dividends.
 
Taxation of Capital Gains
 
In accordance with the new Enterprise Income Tax Law effective from January 1, 2008, and its implementation rules, capital gains realized by foreign enterprises which are non-resident enterprises in China upon the sale of overseas-listed shares are generally subject to a PRC withholding tax levied at a rate of 10%, unless exempted or reduced pursuant to an applicable double-taxation treaty or other exemptions. The capital gains realized by resident enterprises, including
 
 
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enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in the PRC, upon the sales of overseas-listed shares are subject to the PRC enterprise income tax. Pursuant to the Notice 81, Hong Kong market investors, both corporations and individuals, investing in our A-shares through Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect are temporarily exempt from corporate income tax or individual income tax, as applicable, on capital gains derived from the transfer of A-shares starting from November 17, 2014.
 
PRC Stamp Tax Considerations
 
Under the Provisional Regulations of The People’s Republic of China Concerning Stamp Tax, which became effective in October 1988 and was amended in 2011, PRC stamp tax should not be imposed on the transfer of shares of H Shares or ADSs of PRC publicly traded companies.
 
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
The following is a summary of United States federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of our H shares or ADSs by a US Holder (as defined below) that holds our H shares or ADSs as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  This summary is based upon existing United States federal income tax law, which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not discuss all aspects of United States federal income taxation which may be important to particular holders in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as holders subject to special tax rules including: banks or other financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, broker-dealers, cooperatives, pension plans, insurance companies, broker-dealers, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, partnerships and their partners, tax-exempt organizations (including private foundations), non-US Holders, holders who own (directly, indirectly, or constructively) 10% or more of the voting power or value of our stock, holders that hold H shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, holders who acquired their H shares or ADSs pursuant to any employee share option or otherwise as compensation, or US Holders that have a functional currency other than the United States dollar, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below.  In addition, this summary does not discuss any state, local, non-United States, alternative minimum tax , non-income tax (such as the U.S. federal estate and gift tax) or Medicare tax considerations.  US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state, local, and non-United States income and other tax considerations relating to their ownership or disposition of our  H shares or ADSs.
 
For purposes of this summary, a US Holder is a beneficial owner of H shares or ADSs that is, for United States federal income tax purposes,:
 
 
·
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
 
 
·
a corporation created in or organized under the laws of, the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
 
 
·
an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
 
 
·
a trust (a) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) a trust that has otherwise elected to be treated as a United States person under the Code.
 
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of H shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.  Partners in a partnership holding our H shares or ADSs should consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership or disposition of our H shares or ADSs.
 
For United States federal income tax purposes, it is generally expected that US Holders of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owners of the underlying H shares represented by the ADSs.  The remainder of this discussion assumes that a holder of ADSs will be treated in this manner. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of H shares for ADSs will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax.
 
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
 
 
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A non-United States corporation, such as our company, will be a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, if either (a) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (b) 50% or more of its average quarterly assets as determined on the basis of fair market value during such year produce or are held for the production of passive income.  For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are categorized as passive assets and the company’s goodwill and other unbooked intangibles associated with active business activities may generally be classified as active assets.  We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% (by value) of the stock.
 
We do not believe that we were classified as a PFIC for the taxable year ending 2014 and we do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year ending 2015.  The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will depend, in part, upon the composition of our income and our assets (which are subject to change from year to year) and the market price of our H shares or ADSs (of which we cannot control).  Although we do not expect that our business plans will change in a manner that will affect our PFIC status, no assurance can be given in this regard.  Because there are uncertainties in the application of the relevant rules and PFIC status is a fact-intensive determination made on an annual basis, no assurance can be given that we will not be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year.
 
The discussion below under “Dividends” and “Sale or Other Disposition” of H shares or ADSs assumes that we will not be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.  See the discussion below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” for a brief summary of the PFIC rules.
 
Dividends
 
The gross amount of any cash distributions (including the amount of any tax withheld) paid on our H shares or ADSs out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, will be subject to tax as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by a US Holder, in the case of H shares, or by the depositary bank, in the case of ADSs.  Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of United States federal income tax principles, any distribution paid will generally be reported as a “dividend” for United States federal income tax purposes.  A non-corporate recipient of dividend income will generally be subject to tax on dividend income from a “qualified foreign corporation” at a reduced capital gains rate rather than the marginal tax rates generally applicable to ordinary income provided that the holding period requirement is met.
 
A non-U.S. corporation (other than a corporation that is classified as a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year) generally will be considered to be a qualified foreign corporation (i) if it is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States determines is satisfactory for purposes of this provision and which includes an exchange of information program or (ii) with respect to any dividend it pays on stock which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States.  There is currently a tax treaty in effect between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (the “U.S.-PRC Treaty”) which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States determined is satisfactory for these purposes and we believe that we are eligible for the benefits of such treaty.  Additionally, our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange, an established securities market in the United States. Although we presently believe that we are a qualified foreign corporation for purposes of the reduced tax rate, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be treated as a qualified foreign corporation in the future.  US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends under their particular circumstances.  Dividends received on H shares or ADSs will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations.
 
Dividends paid in non-United States currency will be includible in income in a United States dollar amount based on the exchange rate prevailing at the time of receipt of such dividends by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by the US Holder, in the case of H shares held directly by such US Holder, regardless of whether the non-United States currency is actually converted into United States dollars at that time.  Gain or loss, if any, recognized on a subsequent sale, conversion or other disposition of the non-United States currency will generally be United States source income or loss.
 
Dividends received on H shares or ADSs will be treated, for United States foreign tax credit purposes, as foreign source income.  A US Holder may be eligible, subject to a number of complex limitations, to claim a foreign tax credit in respect of any non-United States withholding taxes imposed on dividends received on H shares or ADSs.  US Holders who do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for foreign income tax withheld may instead claim a deduction, for United States federal income tax purposes, in respect of such withholdings, but only for a year in which the US Holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes.  US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
 
 
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Sale or Other Disposition of H shares or ADSs
 
A US Holder will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of H shares or ADSs in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the US Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such H shares or ADSs.  Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the H shares or ADSs have been held for more than one year and will generally be United States source gain or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes.  If any PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the disposition of H shares or ADSs, however, a US Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the U.S.- PRC Treaty may elect to treat the gain as non-United States source gain or loss.  The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and their outcome depends in large part on the US Holder’s individual facts and circumstances. Accordingly, US Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

US Holders that receive currency other than the United States dollar upon the sale or other disposition of H shares will realize an amount equal to the United States dollar value of the non-United States currency on the date of such sale or other disposition, or if the shares are traded on an established securities market, in the case of cash basis and electing accrual basis taxpayers, the settlement date.  US Holders will recognize currency gain or loss if the United States dollar value of the currency received on the settlement date differs from the amount realized.  US Holders will have a tax basis in the currency received equal to the United States dollar amount at the spot rate on the settlement date.  Generally, any gain or loss realized by US Holders on a subsequent conversion or disposition of such currency will be United States source ordinary income or loss.
 
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
 
If we were to be classified as a PFIC in any taxable year, a special tax regime will apply to both (a) any “excess distribution” by us to a US Holder (generally, the US Holder’s ratable portion of distributions in any year which are greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by such US Holder in the shorter of the three preceding years or the US Holder’s holding period for our H shares or ADSs) and (b) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the H shares or ADSs.  Under this regime, any excess distribution and realized gain will be treated as ordinary income and will be subject to tax as if (a) the excess distribution or gain had been realized ratably over the US Holder’s holding period, (b) the amount deemed realized in each year had been subject to tax in each year of that holding period at the highest marginal rate for such year (other than income allocated to the current period or any taxable period before we became a PFIC, which would be subject to tax at the US Holder’s regular ordinary income rate for the current year and would not be subject to the interest charge discussed below), and (c) the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax had been imposed on the taxes deemed to have been payable in those years.  In addition, dividends made to a US Holder will not qualify for the lower rates of taxation applicable to long-term capital gains discussed above under “Dividends.”
 
As an alternative to the foregoing rules, if a “mark-to-market” election is available and a US Holder validly makes such an election, such a holder generally will be required to take into account the difference, if any, between the fair market value and its adjusted tax basis in H shares or ADSs at the end of each taxable year as ordinary income or ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gain previously included in income).  In addition, any gain from a sale or other disposition of H shares or ADSs will be treated as ordinary income, and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss (to the extent of any net mark-to-market gain previously included in income).
 
Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a US Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such US Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
We do not intend to provide information necessary for US Holders to make qualified electing fund elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from (and generally less adverse than) the general tax treatment for PFICs described above.
 
Each US Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing H shares or ADSs if we are or become treated as a PFIC, including the possibility of making a mark-to-market election, the “deemed sale” and “deemed dividend” elections and the unavailability of the election to treat us as a qualified electing fund.
 
Information Reporting
 
Certain US Holders are required to report information relating to an interest in “specified foreign financial assets,” including shares issued by a non-United States corporation, for any year in which the aggregate value of all specified foreign financial assets exceeds $50,000, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for ordinary shares held in
 
 
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custodial accounts maintained with a United States financial institution).  A US Holder who fails to timely furnish the required information may be subject to a penalty.  In addition, information reporting generally will apply to dividends on and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our H shares or ADSs.  US Holders are advised to consult with their tax advisors regarding the application of the United States information reporting rules.
 
 
F.
DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
 
Not applicable.
 
 
G.
STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
 
Not applicable.
 
 
H.
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
 
This annual report contains exhibits and schedules. Any statement in this annual report about any of our contracts or other documents is not necessarily complete. If the contract or document is filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this annual report, the contract or document is deemed to modify the description contained in this annual report. You must review the exhibits themselves for a complete description of the contracts or documents.

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than four months after the close of each fiscal year. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
I.
SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 11.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Our primary market risk exposures are to fluctuations in oil and gas prices, exchange rates and interest rates. Please also refer to Note 35 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for a detailed discussion of other market risks that we have exposure to.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
We engage in oil and gas operations and are exposed to commodity price risk related to price volatility of crude oil and refined oil products. The fluctuations in prices of crude oil and refined oil products could have significant impact on us. We use derivative financial instruments, including commodity futures and swaps, to manage a portion of this risk. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, we had certain commodity contracts of crude oil, refined oil products and chemical products designated as qualified cash flow hedges and economic hedges. For further information about the fair values of these derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, see Note 35 to our consolidated financial statement.
 
As of December 31, 2014, it is estimated that a general increase/decrease of US$10 per barrel in crude oil and refined oil products, with all other variables held constant, would decrease/increase our net income and retained earnings by approximately RMB 1,167 million, and increase/decrease our other reserves by approximately RMB 2,206 million. This sensitivity analysis has been determined assuming that the change of prices was applied to our derivative financial instruments at balance sheet date with exposure to commodity price risk.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
 
The Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. With the authorization from the PRC government, the PBOC announced that the PRC government reformed the exchange rate regime by moving into a managed floating exchange rate
 
 
83

 

regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies on July 21, 2005. On June 19, 2010, the PRC government decided to further promote the Renminbi exchange rate formation mechanism, and enhance the flexibility of Renminbi exchange rate. Actions taken by the PRC government could cause future exchange rates to vary significantly from current or historical exchange rates. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the value, translated or converted into US dollars or Hong Kong dollars, of our net assets, earnings and any declared dividends. We cannot give any assurance that any future movements in the exchange rate of the Renminbi against the US dollar and other foreign currencies will not adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
The following presents various market risk information regarding market-sensitive financial instruments that we held or issued as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. We conduct our business primarily in Renminbi, which is also our functional and reporting currency.
 
The following tables provide information regarding instruments that are sensitive to foreign exchange rates as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. For debt obligations, the table presents cash flows and related weighted average rates by expected maturity dates.
 
(RMB equivalent in millions, except interest rate)
   
As of December 31, 2014
 
   
Expected Maturity Date
   
Total carrying amount
   
Fair value
 
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
Thereafter
             
Assets
                                               
Cash and cash equivalent
                                               
In US Dollar
    1,998       -       -       -       -       -       1,998       1,998  
In HK Dollar
    55       -       -       -       -       -       55       55  
In Japanese Yen
    7       -       -       -       -       -       7       7  
In Euro
    21       -       -       -       -       -       21       21  
Others
    65       -       -       -       -       -       65       65  
Time deposits with financial institutions
                                                               
In US Dollar
    613       -       -       -       -       -       613       613  
Liabilities
                                                               
Debts in US Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    7,394       4,625       37       6,107       23       10,932       29,118       28,992  
Average interest rate
    0.9%       1.3%       1.4%       2.1%       1.5%       3.5%    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    126,581       612       -       -       -       -       127,193       127,193  
Average interest rate(1)
    1.3%       1.8%       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Debts in Japanese Yen
                                                               
Fixed rate
    54       54       54       54       54       175       445       492  
Average interest rate
    2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(1)
    -       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Debts in HK Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    5       -       -       -       -       -       5       5  
Average interest rate
    1.8%       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(1)
    -       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Debts in Euro
                                                               
Fixed rate
    10       -       -       -       -       -       10       10  
Average interest rate
    3.0%       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    429       -       -       -       -       -       429       429  
Average interest rate(1)
    1.2%       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
__________________________
(1) The average interest rates for variable rate debts are calculated based on the rates reported as of December 31, 2014.
 
 
84

 
 
(RMB equivalent in millions, except interest rate)
   
As of December 31, 2013
 
   
Expected Maturity Date
   
Total carrying amount
   
Fair value
 
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
Thereafter
             
Assets
                                               
Cash and cash equivalent
                                               
In US Dollar
    2,868       -       -       -       -       -       2,868       2,868  
In HK Dollar
    844       -       -       -       -       -       844       844  
In Japanese Yen
    9       -       -       -       -       -       9       9  
In Euro
    82       -       -       -       -       -       82       82  
Others
    28       -       -       -       -       -       28       28  
Time deposits with financial institutions
                                                               
In US Dollar
    3       -       -       -       -       -       3       3  
Liabilities
                                                               
Debts in US Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    26,655       51       4,594       37       6,074       10,670       48,081       50,726  
Average interest rate
    1.6%       1.4%       1.3%       1.4%       1.9%       3.4%                  
Variable rate
    54,918       5       -       -       -       -       54,923       54,926  
Average interest rate(2)
    1.1%       2.3%       -       -       -       -                  
Debts in Japanese Yen
                                                               
Fixed rate
    60       60       60       60       60       261       561       625  
Average interest rate
    2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%                  
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(2)
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Debts in HK Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    10,953       -       -       -       -       -       10,953       10,953  
Average interest rate
    4.2%       -       -       -       -       -                  
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(2)
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
__________________________
(2)
The average interest rates for variable rate debts are calculated based on the rates reported as of December 31, 2013.

Interest Rate Risk
 
We are exposed to interest rate risk resulting from fluctuations in interest rates on our short-term and long-term debts. Upward fluctuations in interest rates increase the cost of new debt and the interest cost of outstanding floating rate borrowings.
 
Our debts consist of fixed and variable rate debt obligations with original maturities ranging from one to 22 years. Fluctuations in interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair values of our debt obligations.
 
The following tables present principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates of our interest rate sensitive financial instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.
 
(RMB equivalent in millions, except interest rate)
   
As of December 31, 2014
 
   
Expected Maturity Date
 
Total carrying amount(2)
   
Fair value
 
   
2015
 
2016
   
2017
 
2018
   
2019
 
Thereafter
           
Assets
 
Cash and cash equivalent
                                       
In RMB
    7,209   -     -   -     -   -     7,209       7,209  
In US Dollar
    1,998   -     -   -     -   -     1,998       1,998  
In HK Dollar
    55   -     -   -     -   -     55       55  
In Japanese Yen
    7   -     -   -     -   -     7       7  
In Euro
    21   -     -   -     -   -     21       21  
Others
    65   -     -   -     -   -     65       65  
 
 
85

 
 
Time deposits with financial institutions
                                                     
In Renminbi
    132     -     -     -     -     -       132       132  
In US Dollar
    613     -     -     -     -     -       613       613  
Liabilities
 
Debts in RMB
                                                     
Fixed rate
    23,461       1,275       46,281       2,014       4,259       52,204       129,494       125,305  
Average interest rate
    4.2%       4.7%       3.5%       3.1%       3.1%       1.4%    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    20,215       6,958       1,050       344       5,000       8,819       42,386       42,386  
Average interest rate(1)
    3.9%       5.6%       5.6%       4.2%       5.2%       6.8%    
 
   
 
 
Debts in US Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    7,394       4,625       37       6,107       23       10,932       29,118       28,992  
Average interest rate
    0.9%       1.3%       1.4%       2.1%       1.5%       3.5%    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    126,581       612       -       -       -       -       127,193       127,193  
Average interest rate(1)
    1.3%       1.8%       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Debts in Japanese Yen
                                                               
Fixed rate
    54       54       54       54       54       175       445       492  
Average interest rate
    2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
                                                               
Average interest rate(1)
                                                               
Debts in HK Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    5       -       -       -       -       -       5       5  
Average interest rate
    1.8%       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(1)
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Debts in Euro
                                                               
Fixed rate
    10       -       -       -       -       -       10       10  
Average interest rate
    3.0%       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
Variable rate
    429       -       -       -       -       -       429       429  
Average interest rate(1)
    1.2%       -       -       -       -       -    
 
   
 
 
__________________________
(1)
The average interest rates for variable rate debts are calculated based on the rates reported as of December 31, 2014.
(2)
Carrying amounts are used for loans from Sinopec Group Company and its affiliates as it is not practicable to estimate their fair values because the cost of obtaining discount and borrowing rates for comparable borrowings would be excessive.
 
(RMB equivalent in millions, except interest rate)
   
As of December 31, 2013
 
   
Expected Maturity Date
   
Total carrying amount(4)
   
Fair value
 
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
Thereafter
             
Assets
 
Cash and cash equivalent
                                               
In RMB
    11,215       -       -       -       -       -       11,215       11,215  
In US Dollar
    2,868       -       -       -       -       -       2,868       2,868  
In HK Dollar
    844       -       -       -       -       -       844       844  
In Japanese Yen
    9       -       -       -       -       -       9       9  
In Euro
    82       -       -       -       -       -       82       82  
Others
    28       -       -       -       -       -       28       28  
Time deposits with financial institutions
                                                               
In RMB
    52       -       -       -       -       -       52       5  
In US Dollar
    3       -       -       -       -       -       3       3  
Liabilities
 
Debts in RMB
                                                               
Fixed rate
    63,617       11,238       -       50,961       2,293       51,847       179,956       173,699  
Average interest rate
    2.3%       3.9%       -       3.3%       3.4%       1.4%                  
Variable rate
    7,668       160       6,599       454       105       -       14,986       14,721  
Average interest rate(3)
    5.1%       6.3%       5.6%       5.8%       6.4%       -                  
Debts in US Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    26,655       51       4,594       37       6,074       10,670       48,081       50,726  
Average interest rate
    1.6%       1.4%       1.3%       1.4%       1.9%       3.4%                  
Variable rate
    54,918       5       -       -       -       -       54,923       54,926  
Average interest rate(3)
    1.1%       2.3%       -       -       -       -                  
 
 
86

 
 
Debts in Japanese Yen
                                                               
Fixed rate
    60       60       60       60       60       261       561       625  
Average interest rate
    2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%       2.6%                  
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(3)
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Debts in HK Dollar
                                                               
Fixed rate
    10,953       -       -       -       -       -       10,953       10,953  
Average interest rate
    4.2%       -       -       -       -       -                  
Variable rate
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Average interest rate(3)
    -       -       -       -       -       -                  
__________________________
(3)
The average interest rates for variable rate debts are calculated based on the rates reported as of December 31, 2013.
(4)
Carrying amounts are used for loans from Sinopec Group Company and its affiliates as it is not practicable to estimate their fair values because the cost of obtaining discount and borrowing rates for comparable borrowings would be excessive.
 
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
 
 
A.
Debt Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
 
B.
Warrants and Rights
 
Not applicable.
 
 
C.
Other Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
 
D.
American Depositary Shares
 
Depositary Fees and Charges
 
Under the terms of the Deposit Agreement for China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation’s American Depositary Shares (ADSs), an ADS holder may have to pay the following services fees to the Depositary:
 
Services
 
Fees
Issuance of ADSs
 
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) issued
Cancellation of ADSs
 
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) canceled
Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions
 
$2.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) held
Distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends, free stock distributions or exercises of rights
 
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) held
Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs
 
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) held
 
An ADS holder will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary and certain taxes and governmental charges such as:
 
 
·
Taxes (including relevant interests and fines) and other governmental charges;
 
 
87

 

 
·
such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect, for the registration of deposited securities in the register of members, or for the registration of transfers of deposited securities to the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals;
 
 
·
such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement;
 
 
·
such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
 
 
·
such expenses as are incurred with the compliance with the foreign currency control, ADSs and other deposited securities related laws, regulations and rules; and
 
 
·
any other charge payable by the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s agents, including the Custodian, Depositary, or the agents of the Custodian or Depositary, in connection with the servicing of deposited securities.
 
Depositary Payments for the Year 2014
 
In 2014, Citibank, N.A., the Depositary for our ADR program, provided reimbursement for our expenses related to the listing and investor’ relations activities as follows:
 
 
·
reimbursement of application fees: US$116,448.58
 
 
·
reimbursement of data infrastructure fees: US$1,448.14
 
 
·
reimbursement of proxy procedure fees: US$76,225.59
 
 
·
reimbursement of investor relations expenses (including expenses related to non-deal road show, investor meeting and investor relations agency): US$290,643.99
 
 
·
the accounting committee and accounting standard committee of public company: US$111,237.24
 
 
·
Total: US$596,003.54
 
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
 
A.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS TO SECURITIES HOLDERS
 
None.
 
 
B.
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed in reports filed by us under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required
 
 
88

 

disclosure. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2014 (the “Evaluation Date”), the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
 
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the criteria established in Internal Control -- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission as of December 31, 2014. Based on that evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014 based on these criteria.
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F and, as part of the audit, has issued a report, included herein, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During the year ended December 31, 2014, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
ITEM 16.
RESERVED
 
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
 
The board of directors has determined that Ms. Bao Guoming qualifies as an audit committee financial expert in accordance with the terms of Item 16.A of Form 20-F.  Ms. Bao was appointed as an independent non-executive director and a manager of the audit committee of the fifth board of our company in 2012. For Ms. Bao’s biographical information, see “Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees – A. Directors, members of the supervisory committee and senior management.”
 
ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
 
Our controlling shareholder, Sinopec Group Company, adopted a Staff Code in 2014 to provide disciplines and requirements for its staff’s conducts, including legal and ethical matters as well as the sensitivities involved in reporting illegal and unethical matters. The Staff Code covers such areas as HSE, conflict of interests, anti-corruption, protection and proper use of our assets and properties as well as reporting requirements. The Staff Code also applies to all directors, officers and employees of each subsidiary of Sinopec Group Company, including us. We have provided all our directors and senior officers with a copy of the Staff Code and require them to comply with it in order to ensure our operations are proper and lawful. We have posted the Staff Code on our website, http://english.sinopec.com/corporateculture/.
 
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
The following table sets forth the aggregate audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees of our principal accountants and all other fees billed for products and services provided by our principal accountants other than the audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees for each of the fiscal years 2013 and 2014.
 
 
89

 
 
   
Audit Fees
 
Audit-Related Fees
 
Tax Fees
 
Other Fees
2013
 
RMB 67 million
 
 
 
2014
 
RMB 87 million
 
 
 

Before our principal accountants were engaged by our company or our subsidiaries to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement has been approved by our audit committee.
 
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
 
None.
 
ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
KPMG served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for more than 10 years. On March 22, 2013, our board of directors approved the proposed change of our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG, after the completion of the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on recommendation from our audit committee. Such change in our principal accountants was due to the relevant regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the PRC. According to the relevant regulations, there are restrictions in respect of the number of years of audit services that an accounting firm can continuously provide to a State-owned enterprise and its subsidiaries. As a result, we were required not to re-appoint KPMG as our principal accountant at the annual general meeting held in May 2013.
 
The audit reports of KPMG on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 contain no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
 
During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and through April 11, 2013, there were no disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their report, nor have there been any reportable events (as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F).We provided a copy of the foregoing disclosure to KPMG and requested that KPMG furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not KPMG agreed with such disclosure. A copy of the letter from KPMG addressed to the SEC, dated April 11, 2013, was filed as Exhibit 15.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with SEC on April 11, 2013.
 
 With the approvals of our board, the audit committee and shareholders, we appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers and PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company (the name has been changed to PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP), or PwC, as our principal independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2013.
 
During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and through April 11, 2013, neither we nor anyone on our behalf consulted PwC regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the registrant’s financial statements, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” (as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F and related instructions to Item 16-F of Form 20-F) with PwC or a “reportable event” (as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F).  Also, during the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and through April 11, 2013, we did not obtain any written report or oral advice that PwC concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue.
 
ITEM 16G.
COMPARISON OF NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES AND CHINA CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES FOR LISTED COMPANIES
 
Under the amended Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE, foreign issuers (including us) listed on the NYSE are required to disclose a summary of the significant differences between their domestic corporate governance rules and
 
 
90

 

NYSE corporate governance rules that would apply to a U.S. domestic issuer. A summary of such differences is listed below:
 
NYSE corporate governance rules
 
Corporate governance rules applicable to the domestically listed companies in China and the Company’s governance practices
Corporate governance guidelines
   
Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines, involving director qualification standards, director responsibilities, directors’ access to management and independent advisors, director compensation, director continuing education, management succession, annual performance evaluation of the board of directors, etc.
 
PRC corporate governance rules promulgated by China Securities Regulatory Commission prescribe detailed guidelines on directors of the listed companies, including director selection, the structure of the board of directors and director performance evaluation etc.
 
The Company has complied with the above mentioned laws or rules.
Director Independence
   
A listed company must have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors. No director qualifies as “independent” unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). In addition, a director must meet certain standards to be deemed independent. For example, a director is not independent if the director is, or has been within the last three years, an employee of the listed company, or an immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, an executive officer of the listed company, or if the director has received, or has an immediate family member who has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than US$120,000 in direct compensation from the listed company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service).
 
It is required in China that any listed company must establish an independent director system and set forth specific requirements for the qualification of independent directors. For example, an independent director shall not hold any other position in the listed company other than being a director and shall not be influenced by the main shareholders or the controlling persons of the listed company, or by any other entities or persons with whom the listed company has a significant relationship.
 
The Company has complied with the relevant Chinese corporate governance rules and has implemented internal rules governing the independence and responsibilities of independent directors. The Company determines the independence of independent directors every year.
     
To empower non-management directors to serve as a more effective check on management, the non-management directors of each listed company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management.
 
No similar requirements.
     
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
   
Listed companies must have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors.
 
It is stipulated in China that the board of directors of a listed company may, through the resolution of the shareholders’ meeting, establish a nominating committee composed entirely of directors, of which the independent directors shall be the majority and the convener.
 
Up to now, the Company has not set up any nominating committee.
 
 
91

 
 
The nominating/corporate governance committee must have a written charter that addresses the committee’s purposes and responsibilities which, at minimum, must be to: search for eligible people for the board of directors, select and nominate directors for the next session of the shareholders’ annual meeting, study and propose corporate governance guidelines, supervise the evaluation of the board of directors and management, and evaluate the performance of the committee every year.
 
Relevant responsibilities of the nominating/corporate governance committee are similar to those stipulated by the NYSE rules, but the main responsibilities do not include the research and recommendation of corporate governance guidelines, the supervision of the evaluation of the board of directors and management, or the annual evaluation of the committee.
     
Compensation Committee
   
Listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.
 
It is stipulated in China that the board of directors of a listed company may, subject to  shareholders’ resolution, have a compensation and assessment committee composed entirely of directors, of whom the independent directors are the majority and act as the convener.
     
The compensation committee must have a written charter that addresses, at least, the following purposes and responsibilities:
 
(1) review and approve the corporate goals associated with CEO’s compensation, evaluate the performance of the CEO in fulfilling these goals, and, either as a committee or together with the other independent directors (as directed by the board), based on such evaluation, determine and approve the CEO’s compensation level;
 
(2) make recommendations to the board with respect to non-CEO executive officer compensation, and incentive-compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to board approval;
 
(3) produce a committee report on executive compensation as required by the SEC to be included in the annual proxy statement or annual report filed with the SEC.
 
The charter must also include the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the compensation committee.
 
The compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or consult a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other advisor. The compensation committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of such advisor. A listed company must provide for appropriate funding for payment of reasonable compensation to such advisor. The compensation committee may select such advisor to the compensation committee only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management.
 
It is stipulated in China that the responsibilities of the compensation committee are:
 
(1) to study evaluation standards on the performance of directors and the senior management and submit suggestion to the board of directors;
 
(2) to study and review the compensation policies on the directors and the senior management.
 
But the committee is not required to produce a report on the executive compensation or make an annual performance evaluation of the committee.
 
The board of directors of the Company has established a compensation and performance evaluation committee composed mainly of independent directors who act as the convener, and the committee has established a written charter complying with the domestic corporate governance rules.
 
     
Audit Committee
   
Listed companies must have an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). It must have a minimum of three members, and all audit committee members must satisfy the requirements for independence set forth in Section 303A.02 of NYSE Corporate Governance Rules as well as the requirements of Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.
 
It is stipulated in China that the board of directors of a listed company may, subject to shareholders’ resolution, establish an audit committee composed entirely of competent directors with expertise and business experience, of which the independent directors are the majority and act as the convener, and, at minimum, one independent director is an accounting professional.
 
 
92

 
 
The audit committee must have a written charter that specifies the purpose of the audit committee is, at minimum, to assist the board oversight of the integrity of financial statements, the company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, qualifications and independence of independent auditors and the performance of the listed company’s internal audit function and independent auditors.
 
In addition, the written charter must require the audit committee to prepare an audit committee report as required by the SEC to be included in the listed company’s annual proxy statement as well as an annual performance evaluation of the audit committee.
 
The written charter must also specify the duties and responsibilities of the audit committee, which, at a minimum, must include those set out in Rule 10A-3(b)(2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Exchange Act, as well as other duties and responsibilities such as to obtain and review a report by the independent auditor at least annually, meet to review and discuss the listed company’s annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and independent auditor.
 
The responsibilities of the audit committee are similar to those stipulated by the NYSE rules. The board of directors shall evaluate the independence and performance of members of the audit committee periodically, and may replace any member who is no longer suitable for the position. The company shall disclose the performance of the audit committee in its annual report, including meetings convened by the audit committee.
 
The Board of Directors of the Company has established an audit committee that satisfies relevant domestic and overseas requirements and the audit committee has a written charter.
     
Each listed company must have an internal audit department.
 
China has a similar regulatory provision, and the Company has an internal audit department.
     
Shareholder approval of equity compensation plan
Shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions thereto, except for, among others, plans that are made available to shareholders generally, such as typical dividend reinvestment plan and certain awards and plans in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
 
The relevant regulations of China require the board of directors propose plans on the amount and types of director compensation for the shareholders’ meeting to approve. The compensation plan of executive officers shall be approved by the board and disclosed to the public.
 
The Company has complied with the above mentioned laws or rules.
Code of ethics for directors, officers and employees
   
Listed companies must adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. Each code of business conduct and ethics must require that any waiver of the code for executive officers or directors may be made only by the board or a board committee.
 
China does not have such requirement for a code for ethics. But, since the directors and officers of the Company have all signed the Director Service Agreement or employment agreement, as applicable, they are bound by their fiduciary duties to the Company. In addition, the directors and officers must perform their legal responsibilities in accordance with the Company Law of PRC, relative requirements of CSRS and Mandatory Provisions to the Charter of Companies Listed Overseas. Meanwhile, the Company establishes The Model Code of Securities Transactions by Corporate Employees and The Rules of The Company’s Shares Transactions by Corporate Directors, Superiors and Senior Managements to regulate the above mentioned people when transacting related securities. The Company also promulgated the Code for Employees of the Company as the standards of business conduct and ethics of the employees.


 
93

 
 
Each listed company CEO must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the listed company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards and he or she must promptly notify the NYSE in writing of any non-compliance with any applicable provisions of Section 303A.
 
No similar requirements.
 
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
See consolidated financial statements included in this annual report following Item 19.
 
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
 
1
Articles of Association of the Registrant, amended and adopted by the shareholders’ meeting on May 22, 2009 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2010 (File Number: 001-15138).

1.1
Amendment to Articles of Association of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, adopted by the shareholders’ meeting on May 11, 2012 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

1.2
Amendment to Articles of Association of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, adopted by the shareholders’ meeting on October 16, 2012 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

1.3
Amendment to Articles of Association of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, adopted by the shareholders’ meeting on May 29, 2013 (English translation); incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 22, 2014 (File Number: 001-15138).

1.4*
Amendment to Articles of Association of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, adopted by the shareholders’ meeting on May 9, 2014 (English translation).

4.1
Forms of Director Service Contracts dated May 11, 2012 (English translation), , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.2
Forms of Supervisor Service Contracts dated May 11, 2012 (English translation), , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.3
Reorganization Agreement between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.4
Agreement for Mutual Provision of Products and Ancillary Services between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

 
94

 

4.5
Agreement for Provision of Cultural, Educational, Hygiene and Community Services between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.6
Trademark License Agreement between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.7
Patents and Proprietary Technology License Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.8
Computer Software License Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.9
Assets Swap Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.10
Land Use Rights Leasing Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.12
Property Leasing Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.13
Accounts Collectable Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 16, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.14
Loan Transfer and Adjustment Contract between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 16, 2000 (including English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2000 (File Number: 333-12502).

4.15
Agreement on Adjustment to Related Party Transactions between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 11, 2001 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2007 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.16
Land Use Right Leasing Agreement between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 22, 2003 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2007 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.17
2004 Agreement on Adjustment to Related Party Transactions between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated October 31, 2004 (English translation) , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2007 (File Number: 001-15138).

 
95

 

4.18
Memorandum on Adjustment of Rent of Land Use Rights between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated March 31, 2006 (English translation) , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2007  (File Number: 001-15138).

4.19
Supplemental Agreement on Related Party Transactions between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated March 31, 2006 (English translation) , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2007 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.19.1
Continuing Connected Transactions Second Supplemental Agreement between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 21, 2009 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2010 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.19.2
Continuing Connected Transactions Third Supplemental Agreement between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 24, 2012 (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19.2 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.20
Memorandum on Adjustment of Rent of Land Use Rights between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 22, 2008 (English Translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2009 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.20.1
Land Use Rights Leasing Agreement Third Amendment Memo between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated August 24, 2012 (English Translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.21
Non-Compete Agreement Between China Petrochemical Corporation and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated June 3, 2000 and its related Undertakings (English translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).

4.21.1*
Undertakings from China Petrochemical Corporation Regarding Further Avoiding Competition with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation dated April 28, 2014 (English translation).

8.1*
A list of the Registrant’s subsidiaries.

12.1*
Certification of Chairman pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

12.2*
Certification of President pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

12.3*
Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

13**
Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, and Rule 13a-14(b).

15.1
Letter from KPMG regarding Item 16F of this annual report, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 15.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2013 (File Number: 001-15138).
 

 
*   Filed herewith.
** Furnished with this annual report on Form 20-F.
 
 
96

 


SIGNATURE
 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 

 
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
     
 
By:
/s/ Huang Wensheng
 
Name:  
Huang Wensheng
 
Title:
Secretary to the Board of Directors



Date: April 10, 2015

 
97

 
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


   
Page
     
Reports of independent registered public accounting firms
 
F-2
     
     
Consolidated statement of income
 
F-4
     
     
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
 
F-5
     
     
Consolidated balance sheet
 
F-6
     
     
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
 
F-7
     
     
Consolidated statement of cash flows
 
F-10
     
     
Notes to consolidated financial statements
 
F-12
     
     
Supplemental information on oil and gas producing activities (unaudited)
 
F-70


 
F-1

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.




/S/ KPMG
Hong Kong, China
March 22, 2013, except note 11,
which is as of March 21, 2014

 
F-2

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Shareholders of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation,

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Group”) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.




PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP
Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China

March 20, 2015
 

 
F-3

 
 
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
 
         
Years ended December 31,
 
     
Note
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
         
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating revenues
                       
Sales of goods
          2,733,618       2,833,247       2,781,641  
Other operating revenues
    3       52,427       47,064       44,273  
              2,786,045       2,880,311       2,825,914  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Purchased crude oil, products and operating supplies and expenses
            (2,301,199 )     (2,371,858 )     (2,334,399 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    4       (61,174 )     (69,928 )     (68,374 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
            (70,456 )     (81,265 )     (90,097 )
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
            (15,533 )     (12,573 )     (10,969 )
Personnel expenses
    5       (51,767 )     (55,353 )     (57,233 )
Taxes other than income tax
    6       (188,483 )     (190,672 )     (191,202 )
Other operating income / (expenses), net
    7       1,229       (1,877 )     (153 )
Total operating expenses
            (2,687,383 )     (2,783,526 )     (2,752,427 )
Operating income
            98,662       96,785       73,487  
                                 
Finance costs
                               
Interest expense
    8       (11,217 )     (10,602 )     (11,218 )
Interest income
            1,254       1,568       1,779  
(Loss) / gain on embedded derivative component of the convertible bonds
   
24(iii) and (v)
      (62 )     2,028       (4,611 )
Net foreign currency exchange gains / (loss)
            144       2,760       (179 )
Net finance costs
            (9,881 )     (4,246 )     (14,229 )
Investment income
            235       154       2,616  
Share of profits less losses from associates and joint ventures
            1,626       2,359       3,630  
Earnings before income tax
            90,642       95,052       65,504  
Tax expense
    9       (23,846 )     (24,763 )     (17,571 )
Net income
            66,796       70,289       47,933  
                                 
Attributable to:
                               
Owners of the Company
            63,879       66,132       46,466  
Non-controlling interests
            2,917       4,157       1,467  
Net income
            66,796       70,289       47,933  
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
    11       0.57       0.57       0.40  
Diluted
    11       0.55       0.53       0.40  
                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
F-4

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)

         
Years ended December 31,
 
     
Note
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
         
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                         
Net income
          66,796       70,289       47,933  
                               
Other comprehensive income:
    10                          
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss (after tax and reclassification adjustments):
                               
Cash flow hedges
            (151 )     604       (4,485 )
Available-for-sale securities
            26       1,314       (1,225 )
Share of other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures
            80       (297 )     (3,042 )
Foreign currency translation differences
            (44 )     (689 )     (514 )
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
            (89 )     932       (9,266 )
Total other comprehensive income
            (89 )     932       (9,266 )
                                 
Total comprehensive income for the year
            66,707       71,221       38,667  
                                 
Attributable to:
                               
Owners of the Company
            63,814       67,312       38,798  
Non-controlling interests
            2,893       3,909       (131 )
Total comprehensive income for the year
            66,707       71,221       38,667  
                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
F-5

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)
 
         
December 31,
 
 
   
Note
   
2013
   
2014
 
         
RMB
   
RMB
 
ASSETS
                 
Current assets
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
          15,046       9,355  
Time deposits with financial institutions
          55       745  
Trade accounts receivable, net
    12       68,466       90,831  
Bills receivable
            28,771       13,963  
Inventories
    13       221,906       188,223  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    14       38,766       57,027  
Total current assets
            373,010       360,144  
Non-current assets
                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
    15       669,595       703,485  
 Construction in progress
    16       160,630       177,667  
Goodwill
    17       6,255       6,281  
Interest in associates
    18       28,444       32,119  
Interest in joint ventures
    19       46,874       48,474  
Available-for-sale financial assets
    20       3,730       868  
Deferred tax assets
    21       4,141       6,979  
Lease prepayments
    22       43,270       49,136  
Long-term prepayments and other assets
    23       46,967       66,215  
Total non-current assets
            1,009,906       1,091,224  
Total assets
            1,382,916       1,451,368  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities
                       
Short-term debts
    24       109,806       75,183  
Loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    24       54,064       102,965  
Trade accounts payable
    25       202,724       198,366  
Bills payable
    25       4,526       4,577  
Accrued expenses and other payables
    26       197,606       222,075  
Income tax payable
            3,096       1,091  
Total current liabilities
            571,822       604,257  
Non-current liabilities
                       
Long-term debts
    24       107,234       107,787  
Loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    24       38,356       43,145  
Deferred tax liabilities
    21       7,977       7,820  
Provisions
    27       26,080       29,715  
Other long-term liabilities
            9,821       13,067  
Total non-current liabilities
            189,468       201,534  
Total liabilities
            761,290       805,791  
Equity
                       
Share capital
    28       116,565       118,280  
Reserves
    29       452,238       474,761  
Total equity attributable to owners of the Company
            568,803       593,041  
Non-controlling interests
            52,823       52,536  
Total equity
            621,626       645,577  
Total liabilities and equity
            1,382,916       1,451,368  
                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
F-6

 
 
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)

   
Share
capital
   
Capital
reserve
   
Share
premium
   
Statutory
surplus
reserve
   
Dis-
cretionary
surplus
reserve
   
Other
reserves
   
Retained
earnings
   
Total equity attributable
to owners of
 the Company
   
 
Non-controlling
interests
   
Total
equity
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
 
Balance as of January 1, 2012
    86,702       (33,208 )     24,953       61,263       117,000       2,935       212,683       472,328       35,016       507,344  
Net income
                                        63,879       63,879       2,917       66,796  
Other comprehensive income(Note 10)
                                  (65 )           (65 )     (24 )     (89 )
Total comprehensive income for the year
                                  (65 )     63,879       63,814       2,893       66,707  
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity:
                                                                               
Contributions by and distributions to owners:
                                                                               
Conversion of the 2011 Convertible Bonds (Note 24)
    118             799                               917             917  
Final dividend for 2011
                                        (17,364 )     (17,364 )           (17,364 )
Interim dividend for 2012
                                        (8,682 )     (8,682 )           (8,682 )
Appropriation (Note 29 (c))
                      6,340                   (6,340 )                  
Rights issue of shares by a subsidiary, net ofissuance costs (Note29(g))
          (18 )                                   (18 )     781       763  
Distribution to Sinopec Group Company
          (2 )                                   (2 )           (2 )
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests, net of contributions
                                                    (1,462 )     (1,462 )
Total contributions by and distributions to owners
    118       (20 )     799       6,340                   (32,386 )     (25,149 )     (681 )     (25,830 )
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control
                                                                               
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests of subsidiaries
          (79 )                                   (79 )     (106 )     (185 )
Total transactions with owners
    118       (99 )     799       6,340                   (32,386 )     (25,228 )     (787 )     (26,015 )
Others (Note 29(g))
                                  435       (435 )                  
Balance as of December 31, 2012
    86,820       (33,307 )     25,752       67,603       117,000       3,305       243,741       510,914       37,122       548,036  
                                                                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
F-7

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)

   
Share
capital
   
Capital
reserve
   
Share
premium
   
Statutory
surplus
reserve
   
Dis-
cretionary
surplus
reserve
   
Other
reserves
   
Retained
earnings
   
Total equity attributable
to owners of
 the Company
   
 
Non-controlling
interests
   
Total
 equity
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Balance as of January 1, 2013
    86,820       (33,307 )     25,752       67,603       117,000       3,305       243,741       510,914       37,122       548,036  
Net income
                                        66,132       66,132       4,157       70,289  
Other comprehensive income (Note 10)
                                  1,180             1,180       (248 )     932  
Total comprehensive income for the year
                                  1,180       66,132       67,312       3,909       71,221  
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity:
                                                                               
Contributions by and distributions to owners:
                                                                               
Conversion of the 2011 Convertible Bonds (Note 24)
                1                               1             1  
Final dividend for 2012
                                        (17,933 )     (17,933 )           (17,933 )
Interim dividend for 2013
                                        (10,491 )     (10,491 )           (10,491 )
Appropriation (Note 29(c))
                      5,734                   (5,734 )                  
Rights issue of H shares, net of issuance costs (Note 24)
    2,845             16,561                               19,406             19,406  
Contributions to subsidiaries from non-controlling interests
          600                                     600       12,096       12,696  
Distributions to non-controlling interests
                                                    (1,261 )     (1,261 )
Total contributions by and distributions to owners
    2,845       600       16,562       5,734                   (34,158 )     (8,417 )     10,835       2,418  
Bonus issues (Note 28)
    17,933                                     (17,933 )                  
Capitalization (Note 28)
    8,967             (8,967 )                                          
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control:
                                                                               
Non-tradable shares reform
          (986 )                                   (986 )     986        
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests of subsidiaries
          (20 )                                   (20 )     (29 )     (49 )
Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control
          (1,006 )                                   (1,006 )     957       (49 )
Total transactions with owners
    29,745       (406 )     7,595       5,734                   (52,091 )     (9,423 )     11,792       2,369  
Others (Note 29(g))
                                  (1,994 )     1,994                    
Balance as of December 31, 2013
    116,565       (33,713 )     33,347       73,337       117,000       2,491       259,776       568,803       52,823       621,626  
                                                                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


 
F-8

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)

   
Share
capital
   
Capital
reserve
   
Share
premium
   
Statutory
surplus
reserve
   
Dis-
cretionary
surplus
reserve
   
Other
reserves
   
Retained
earnings
   
Total equity attributable
to owners of
the Company
   
 
Non-controlling
interests
   
Total
equity
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
 
Balance as of January 1, 2014
    116,565       (33,713 )     33,347       73,337       117,000       2,491       259,776       568,803       52,823       621,626  
Net income
 
   
   
   
   
   
      46,466       46,466       1,467       47,933  
Other comprehensive income (Note 10)
 
   
   
   
   
      (7,668 )  
      (7,668 )     (1,598 )     (9,266 )
Total comprehensive income for the year
 
   
   
   
   
      (7,668 )     46,466       38,798       (131 )     38,667  
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity:
                                                                               
Contributions by and distributions to owners:
                                                                               
Conversion of the 2011 Convertible Bonds (Note 24)
    1,715    
      8,477    
   
   
   
      10,192    
      10,192  
Final dividend for 2013
 
   
   
   
   
   
      (17,519 )     (17,519 )  
      (17,519 )
Interim dividend for 2014
 
   
   
   
   
   
      (10,512 )     (10,512 )  
      (10,512 )
Appropriation (Note 29(c))
 
   
   
      3,215    
   
      (3,215 )  
   
   
 
Contributions to subsidiaries from non-controlling interests
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      4,155       4,155  
Distributions to non-controlling interests
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      (1,545 )     (1,545 )
Total contributions by and distributions to owners
    1,715    
      8,477       3,215    
   
      (31,246 )     (17,839 )     2,610       (15,229 )
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control:
                                                                               
Transaction with non-controlling interests (Note 34(iii))
 
      3,216    
   
   
   
   
      3,216       (2,877 )     339  
Total changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control
 
      3,216    
   
   
   
   
      3,216       (2,877 )     339  
Total transactions with owners
    1,715       3,216       8,477       3,215    
   
      (31,246 )     (14,623 )     (267 )     (14,890 )
Others (Note 29(g))
 
   
   
   
   
      (1,002 )     1,065       63       111       174  
Balance as of December 31, 2014
    118,280       (30,497 )     41,824       76,552       117,000       (6,179 )     276,061       593,041       52,536       645,577  
                                                                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


 
F-9

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)
 
       
Years ended December 31,
 
   
Note
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
       
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                       
Net cash generated from operating activities
 
(a)
    142,380       151,893       148,347  
Investing activities
                           
Capital expenditure
        (145,663 )     (144,972 )     (113,047 )
Exploratory wells expenditure
        (11,403 )     (9,974 )     (11,334 )
Purchase of investments, acquisition of subsidiaries, investments in associates and investments in joint ventures
 
18 and 19
34(iv)
    (10,246 )     (33,487 )     (16,387 )
Proceeds from disposal of investments, investments in associates and investments in joint ventures
        1,384       4,198       3,874  
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, equipment and other non-current assets
        325       1,550       1,020  
Decrease / (increase) in time deposits with maturities over three months
        142       353       (690 )
Interest received
        1,254       1,456       1,619  
Investment and dividend income received
        2,429       2,136       2,312  
Purchase of derivative financial instruments, net
        (419 )            
Net cash used in investing activities
        (162,197 )     (178,740 )     (132,633 )
Financing activities
                           
Proceeds from bank and other loans
        930,317       1,142,890       1,128,447  
Repayments of bank and other loans
        (888,567 )     (1,105,457 )     (1,114,481 )
Proceeds from issuing shares
              19,406    
 
Contributions to subsidiaries from non-controlling interests
        1,474       12,696       4,128  
Dividends paid by the Company
        (25,486 )     (28,298 )     (28,031 )
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests
        (2,807 )     (1,346 )     (1,674 )
Interest paid
        (9,151 )     (8,323 )     (9,789 )
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests of subsidiaries
        (152 )     (49 )     (21 )
Net cash generated from / (used in) financing activities
        5,628       31,519       (21,421 )
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents
        (14,189 )     4,672       (5,707 )
Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1
        24,647       10,456       15,046  
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes
        (2 )     (82 )     16  
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31
        10,456       15,046       9,355  
                             
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F-10

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2013 AND 2014
(Amounts in millions)
 
(a)
Reconciliation of earnings before income tax to net cash generated from operating activities

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating activities
                 
Earnings before income tax
    90,642       95,052       65,504  
Adjustment for:
                       
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    70,456       81,265       90,097  
Dry hole costs written off
    7,988       5,599       5,587  
Income from associates and joint ventures
    (1,626 )     (2,359 )     (3,630 )
Investment income
    (235 )     (154 )     (2,616 )
Interest income
    (1,254 )     (1,568 )     (1,779 )
Interest expense
    11,217       10,602       11,218  
Gain on foreign currency exchange rate changes and derivative financial instruments
    (190 )     (934 )     (662 )
(Gain) / loss on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other non-currents assets, net
    (16 )     826       1,622  
Impairment losses on assets
    1,014       4,044       6,839  
Loss / (gain)  on embedded derivative component of the convertible bonds
    62       (2,028 )     4,611  
      178,058       190,345       176,791  
Accounts receivable and other current assets
    (25,593 )     (7,515 )     (28,654 )
Inventories
    (14,845 )     (5,096 )     28,540  
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
    27,438       151       (6,777 )
      165,058       177,885       169,900  
Income tax paid
    (22,678 )     (25,992 )     (21,553 )
Net cash generated from operating activities
    142,380       151,893       148,347  
                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
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1
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES, ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Principal activities

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (the “Company”) is an energy and chemical company that, through its subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Group”), engages in oil and gas and chemical operations in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”). Oil and gas operations consist of exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas; transporting crude oil and natural gas by pipelines; refining crude oil into finished petroleum products; and marketing crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products. Chemical operations include the manufacture and marketing of a wide range of chemicals for industrial uses.

Organization

The Company was established in the PRC on February 25, 2000 as a joint stock limited company as part of the reorganization (the “Reorganization”) of China Petrochemical Corporation (“Sinopec Group Company”), the ultimate holding company of the Group and a ministry-level enterprise under the direct supervision of the State Council of the PRC. Prior to the incorporation of the Company, the oil and gas and chemical operations of the Group were carried on by oil administration bureaux, petrochemical and refining production enterprises and sales and marketing companies of Sinopec Group Company.

As part of the Reorganization, certain of Sinopec Group Company’s core oil and gas and chemical operations and businesses together with the related assets and liabilities were transferred to the Company. On February 25, 2000, in consideration for Sinopec Group Company transferring such oil and gas and chemical operations and businesses and the related assets and liabilities to the Company, the Company issued 68.8 billion domestic state-owned ordinary shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each to Sinopec Group Company. The shares issued to Sinopec Group Company on February 25, 2000 represented the entire registered and issued share capital of the Company as of that date. The oil and gas and chemical operations and businesses transferred to the Company were related to (i) the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas, (ii) the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products, and (iii) the production and sales of chemicals.

Basis of preparation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). IFRS includes International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) and related interpretations. A summary of the significant accounting policies adopted by the Group are set out in Note 2. The accompanying financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on March 20, 2015.

(a)
New and amended standards and interpretations adopted by the Group
The following relevant IFRSs, amendments to existing IFRSs and interpretation of IFRS have been published and are mandatory for the year beginning on or after January 1, 2014 or later periods and have been adopted by the Group in current accounting period:

Amendment to IAS 32, ‘Financial instruments: Presentation’, regarding the asset and liability offsetting. The main changes are to the application guidance in IAS 32, ‘Financial instruments: Presentation’, and clarify some of the requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities on the balance sheet.

Amendment to IAS 36, ‘Impairment of assets’ regarding recoverable amount disclosures. The main change addresses the disclosure of information about the recoverable amount of impaired assets if that amount is based on fair value less costs of disposal.

Amendment to IAS 39, ‘Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement. This amendment provides relief from discontinuing hedge accounting when novation of a hedging instrument to a central counterparty meets specified criteria.

Adoption of IFRIC 21, ‘Levies’. IFRIC 21 addresses the accounting for a liability to pay a levy if that liability is within the scope of IAS 37 ‘Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets’. The interpretation addresses what the obligating event is that gives rise to pay a levy, and when should a liability be recognized. The accounting treatment of levy of the Group conforms to the requirement of IFRIC 21. The adoption of the interpretation has had no significant effect on the financial statements for earlier periods and on the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 
 
F-12

 
 
 
There have been no significant changes to the accounting policies applied in these financial statements for the periods presented as a result of these developments.

(b)
New and amended standards and interpretations not yet adopted by the Group
The following relevant IFRSs, amendments to existing IFRSs and interpretation of IFRS have been published and are mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2015 or later periods and have not been early adopted by the Group. Management is in the process of making an assessment of what the impact of these amendments, new standards and new interpretations is expected to be in the period of initial application and has so far concluded that the adoption of these amendments, new standards and new interpretations is unlikely to have a significant impact on the Group’s results of operations and financial position.

IFRS 9, ‘Financial instruments’, addresses the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities. The complete version of IFRS 9 was issued in July 2014. It replaces the whole of IAS 39. IFRS 9 introduces a new model for the recognition of impairment losses – the expected credit losses (ECL) model, which constitutes a change from the incurred loss model in IAS 39. IFRS 9 applies to all hedging relationships, with the exception of portfolio fair value hedges of interest rate risk. The new guidance better aligns hedge accounting with the risk management activities of an entity and provides relief from the more “rule-based” approach of IAS 39. Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 on sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. The amendments address an inconsistency between IFRS 10 and IAS 28 in the sale and contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. A full gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves a business. A partial gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves assets that do not constitute a business, even if those assets are in a subsidiary.

Amendment to IFRS 11 on accounting for acquisitions of interests in joint operations. The amendment requires an investor to apply the principles of business combination accounting when it acquires an interest in a joint operation that constitutes a ‘business’ (as defined in IFRS 3, Business combinations). Specifically, an investor will need to: (1) measure identifiable assets and liabilities at fair value; (2) expense acquisition-related costs; (3) recognize deferred tax; and (4) recognize the residual as goodwill. All other principles of business combination accounting apply unless they conflict with IFRS 11. The amendment is applicable to both the acquisition of the initial interest and a further interest in a joint operation. The previously held interest is not remeasured when the acquisition of an additional interest in the same joint operation with joint control maintained.

IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’. IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining when to recognize revenue and how much revenue to recognize through a 5-step approach. IFRS 15 provides specific guidance on capitalization of contract cost and licence arrangements. It also includes a cohesive set of disclosure requirements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts with customers. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. IFRS 15 replaces the previous revenue standards: IAS 18 ‘Revenue’ and IAS 11 ‘Construction Contracts’ and the related Interpretations on revenue recognition: IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’, IFRIC 15 ‘Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate’, IFRIC 18 ‘Transfers of Assets from Customers’ and SIC-31 ‘Revenue—Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services’.

The accompanying financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except for the remeasurement of available-for-sale securities (Note 2(k)), securities held for trading (Note 2(k)), derivative financial instruments (Note 2(l) and (m)) and derivative component of the convertible bonds (Note 2(q)) to their fair values.

The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about the carrying values of
 
 
 
F-13

 
 
 
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Key assumptions and estimation made by management in the application of IFRS that have significant effect on the financial statements and the major sources of estimation uncertainty are disclosed in Note 36.

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with presentation adopted in the financial statements.

2
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a)
Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Group’s interest in associates and joint ventures.

 
(i)
Subsidiaries and non-controlling interests

Subsidiaries are those entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control effectively commences until the date that control effectively ceases.

Non-controlling interests at the balance sheet date, being the portion of the net assets of subsidiaries attributable to equity interests that are not owned by the Company, whether directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, are presented in the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of changes in equity within equity, separately from equity attributable to the owners of the Company. Non-controlling interests in the results of the Group are presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as an allocation of the total profit or loss and total comprehensive income for the year between non-controlling interests and the owners of the Company.

Changes in the Group’s interests in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions, whereby adjustments are made to the amounts of controlling and non-controlling interests within consolidated equity to reflect the change in relative interests, but no adjustments are made to goodwill and no gain or loss is recognized.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, it is accounted for as a disposal of the entire interest in that subsidiary, with a resulting gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. Any interest retained in that former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is recognized at fair value and this amount is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition of a financial asset (note 2(k)) or, when appropriate, the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or joint venture (note 2a(ii)).

The particulars of the Group’s principal subsidiaries are set out in Note 34.

 
(ii)
Associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity, not being a subsidiary, in which the Group exercises significant influence over its management. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies.

The investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual rights and obligations each investor has rather than the legal structure of the joint arrangement. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method from the date that significant influence or joint control commences until the date
 
 
 
F-14

 
 
 
that significant influence or joint control ceases. Under the equity method, the investment is initially recorded at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post acquisition change in the Group’s share of the investee’s net assets and any impairment loss relating to the investment (Note 2(j) and (n)).

The Group’s share of the post-acquisition, post-tax results of the investees and any impairment losses for the year are recognized in the consolidated statement of income, whereas the Group’s share of the post-acquisition post-tax items of the investees’ other comprehensive income is recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

When the Group ceases to have significant influence over an associate or joint control over a joint venture, it is accounted for as a disposal of the entire interest in that investee, with a resulting gain or loss being recognized in profit or loss. Any interest retained in that former investee at the date when significant influence or joint control is lost is recognized at fair value and this amount is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition of a financial asset (see note 2(k)) or, when appropriate, the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate (see note 2a (ii)).
 
 
(iii)
Transactions eliminated on consolidation
 
Inter-company balances and transactions and any unrealized gains arising from inter-company transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealized gains arising from transactions with associates and joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the entity. Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

(b)
Translation of foreign currencies

The presentation currency of the Group is Renminbi. Foreign currency transactions during the year are translated into Renminbi at the applicable rates of exchange quoted by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) prevailing on the transaction dates. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated into Renminbi at the PBOC’s rates at the balance sheet date.

Exchange differences, other than those capitalized as construction in progress, are recognized as income or expenses in the “finance costs” section of the consolidated statement of income.

The results of foreign operations are translated into Renminbi at the applicable rates quoted by the PBOC prevailing on the transaction dates. Balance sheet items, including goodwill arising on consolidation of foreign operations are translated into Renminbi at the closing foreign exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity in the other reserves.

On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount of the exchange differences relating to that foreign operation is reclassified from equity to the consolidated statement of income when the profit or loss on disposal is recognized.

(c)
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of time deposits with financial institutions with an initial term of less than three months when purchased. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

(d)
Trade, bills and other receivables

Trade, bills and other receivables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts (Note 2(n)). Trade, bills and other receivables are derecognized if the Group’s contractual rights to the cash flows from these financial assets expire or if the Group transfers these financial assets to another party without retaining control or substantially all risks and rewards of the assets.


 
F-15

 

 
(e)
Inventories
 
Inventories, other than spare parts and consumables, are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost includes the cost of purchase computed using the weighted average method and, in the case of work in progress and finished goods, direct labor and an appropriate proportion of production overheads. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

Spare parts and consumables are stated at cost less any provision for obsolescence.

(f)
Property, plant and equipment

An item of property, plant and equipment is initially recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (Note 2(n)). The cost of an asset comprises its purchase price, any directly attributable costs of bringing the asset to working condition and location for its intended use. The Group recognizes in the carrying amount of an item of property, plant and equipment the cost of replacing part of such an item when that cost is incurred when it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other expenditure is recognized as an expense in the consolidated statement of income in the year in which it is incurred.

Gains or losses arising from the retirement or disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment, other than oil and gas properties, are determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item and are recognized as income or expense in the consolidated statement of income on the date of retirement or disposal.

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost amount of items of property, plant and equipment, other than oil and gas properties, over its estimated useful life on a straight-line basis, after taking into account its estimated residual value, as follows:

Buildings
12 to 50 years
Equipment, machinery and others
4 to 30 years

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, the cost of the item is allocated on a reasonable basis between the parts and each part is depreciated separately. Both the useful life of an asset and its residual value, if any, are reassessed annually.

(g)
Oil and gas properties

The Group uses the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas producing activities. Under this method, costs of development wells, the related supporting equipment and proved mineral interests in properties are capitalized. The cost of exploratory wells is initially capitalized as construction in progress pending determination of whether the well has found proved reserves. The impairment of exploratory well costs occurs upon the determination that the well has not found proved reserves. The exploratory well costs are usually not carried as an asset for more than one year following completion of drilling, unless (i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well if the required capital expenditure is made; (ii) drilling of the additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future; or (iii) other activities are being undertaken to sufficiently progress the assessing of the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. All other exploration costs, including geological and geophysical costs, other dry hole costs and annual lease rentals, are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs relating to proved properties are amortized at the field level on a unit-of-production method. The amortization rates are determined based on oil and gas reserves estimated to be recoverable from existing facilities over the shorter of the economic lives of crude oil and natural gas reservoirs and the terms of the relevant production licenses.

Management estimates future dismantlement costs for oil and gas properties with reference to engineering estimates after taking into consideration the anticipated method of dismantlement required in accordance with the industry practices and the future cash flows are adjusted to reflect such risks specific to the liability, as appropriate. These estimated future dismantlement costs are discounted at a pre-tax risk-free rate and are capitalized as oil and gas properties, which are subsequently amortized as part of the costs of the oil and gas properties.


 
F-16

 

 
(h)
Lease prepayments

Lease prepayments represent land use rights paid to the relevant government authorities. Land use rights are carried at cost less the accumulated amount charged to expense and impairment losses (Note 2(n)). The cost of lease prepayments is charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the respective periods of the rights.

(i)
Construction in progress

Construction in progress represents buildings, oil and gas properties, various plant and equipment under construction and pending installation, and is stated at cost less impairment losses (Note 2(n)). Cost comprises direct costs of construction as well as interest charges, and foreign exchange differences on related borrowed funds to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest charges, during the periods of construction.

Construction in progress is transferred to property, plant and equipment when the asset is substantially ready for its intended use.

No depreciation is provided in respect of construction in progress.

(j)
Goodwill

Goodwill represents amounts arising on acquisition of subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures. Goodwill represents the difference between the cost of acquisition and the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired.

Prior to January 1, 2008, the acquisition of the non-controlling interests of a consolidated subsidiary was accounted for using the acquisition method whereby the difference between the cost of acquisition and the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired (on a proportionate share) was recognized as goodwill. From January 1, 2008, any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interest is adjusted (such as through an acquisition of the non-controlling interests) and the cash or other considerations paid is recognized in equity.

Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising on a business combination is allocated to each cash-generating units, or groups of cash generating units, that is expected to benefit the synergies of the combination and is tested annually for impairment (Note 2(n)). In respect of associates and joint ventures, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the interest in the associates or joint ventures and the investment as a whole is tested for impairment whenever there is objective evidence of impairment (Note 2(n)).

(k)
Available-for-sale financial assets

Investments in available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with any change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in other reserves. When these investments are derecognized or impaired, the cumulative gain or loss is reclassified from equity to the consolidated statement of income. Investments in equity securities, other than investments in associates and joint ventures, that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are recognized in the balance sheet at cost less impairment losses (Note 2(n)).

Investments in securities held for trading are classified as current assets. Any attributable transaction costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as incurred. At each balance sheet date, the fair value is remeasured, with any resultant gain or loss being recognized in the consolidated statement of income.


 
F-17

 

 
(l)
Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recognized initially at fair value. At each balance sheet date, the fair value is remeasured. The gain or loss on re-measurement to fair value is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of income, except where the derivatives qualify for cash flow hedge accounting or the hedge of net investment in a foreign operation, in which case recognition of any resulting gain or loss depends on the nature of the item being hedged (Note 2(m)).

(m)
Hedging

 
(i)
Cash flow hedges

Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction or the foreign currency risk of a committed future transaction, the effective portion of any gains or losses on re-measurement of the derivative financial instrument to fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in other reserves. The ineffective portion of any gain or loss is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of income.

If a hedge of a forecast transaction subsequently results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or non-financial liability, the associated gain or loss is reclassified from equity to be included in the initial cost or other carrying amount of the non-financial asset or liability.

If a hedge of a forecast transaction subsequently results in the recognition of a financial asset or a financial liability, the associated gain or loss is reclassified from equity to the consolidated statement of income in the same period or periods during which the asset acquired or liability assumed affects the consolidated statement of income (such as when interest income or expense is recognized).

For cash flow hedges, other than those covered by the preceding two policy statements, the associated gain or loss is reclassified from equity to the consolidated statement of income in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecast transaction affects the consolidated statement of income.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, or the entity revokes designation of the hedge relationship but the hedged forecast transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity until the transaction occurs and it is recognized in accordance with the above policy. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to take place, the cumulative unrealized gain or loss is reclassified from equity to the consolidated statement of income immediately.

 
(ii)
Hedge of net investments in foreign operations

The portion of the gain or loss on re-measurement to fair value of an instrument used to hedge a net investment in a foreign operation that is determined to be an effective hedge is recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in other reserves until the disposal of the foreign operation, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is reclassified from equity to the consolidated statement of income. The ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of income. In this year no hedge of net investment in foreign operations was hold by the Group.

(n)
Impairment of assets

 
(i)
Trade accounts receivable, other receivables and investment in equity securities that do not have an quoted market price in an active market are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is objective evidence of impairment. If any such evidence exists, an impairment loss is determined and recognized.

The impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the estimated future cash flows, discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset where the effect of discounting is material, and is recognized as an expense in the consolidated statement of income. Impairment losses for trade and other receivables are reversed through the consolidated statement of income if in a subsequent period the amount of the impairment losses decreases. Impairment losses for equity securities carried at cost are not reversed.


 
F-18

 

 
For investments in associates and joint ventures accounted under the equity method (Note 2(a)(ii)), the impairment loss is measured by comparing the recoverable amount of the investment as a whole with its carrying amount in accordance with the accounting policy set out in Note 2(n)(ii). The impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favorable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount in accordance with the accounting policy set out in Note 2(n)(ii).

 
(ii)
Impairment of other long-lived assets is accounted as follows:

The carrying amounts of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, construction in progress, lease prepayments and other assets, are reviewed at each balance sheet date to identify indicators that the assets may be impaired. These assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their recorded carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated at each balance sheet date.

The recoverable amount is the greater of the fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. In determining the value in use, expected future cash flows generated by the asset are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where an asset does not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).

The amount of the reduction is recognized as an expense in the consolidated statement of income. Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis, except that the carrying value of an asset will not be reduced below its individual fair value less costs to sell, or value in use, if determinable.

Management assesses at each balance sheet date whether there is any indication that an impairment loss recognized for a long-lived asset, except in the case of goodwill, in prior years may no longer exist. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favorable change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. A subsequent increase in the recoverable amount of an asset, when the circumstances and events that led to the write-down or write-off cease to exist, is recognized as an income. The reversal is reduced by the amount that would have been recognized as depreciation had the write-down or write-off not occurred. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.

(o)
Trade, bills and other payables

Trade, bills and other payables are initially recognized at fair value and thereafter stated at amortized cost unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.

(p)
Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognized initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortized cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognized in the consolidated statement of income over the period of borrowings using the effective interest method.

(q)
Convertible bonds

 
(i)
Convertible bonds that contain an equity component

Convertible bonds that can be converted to equity share capital at the option of the holder, where the number of shares that would be issued on conversion and the value of the consideration that would be received at that time do not vary, are accounted for as compound financial instruments that contain both a liability component and an equity component.

At initial recognition, the liability component of the convertible bonds is measured as the present value of the future interest and principal payments, discounted at the market rate of interest applicable at the time of initial recognition to similar liabilities that do not have a conversion option. Any excess of proceeds over the amount initially recognized as the liability component is recognized as the equity component. Transaction costs that relate to the issuance of the convertible bonds are allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to the allocation of proceeds.


 
F-19

 

 
The liability component is subsequently carried at amortized cost. The interest expense on the liability component is calculated using the effective interest method. The equity component is recognized in the capital reserve until the bond is converted or redeemed.

If the bond is converted, the capital reserve, together with the carrying amount of the liability component at the time of conversion, is transferred to share capital and share premium as consideration for the shares issued. If the bond is redeemed, the capital reserve is transferred to share premium.

 
(ii)
Other convertible bonds

Convertible bonds issued with a cash settlement option and other embedded derivative features are accounted for as compound financial instruments that contain a liability component and a derivative component.

At initial recognition, the derivative component of the convertible bonds is measured at fair value Any excess of proceeds over the amount initially recognized as the derivative component is recognized as the liability component. Transaction costs that relate to the issuance of the convertible bonds are allocated to the liability and derivative components in proportion to the allocation of proceeds. The portion of the transaction costs relating to the liability component is recognized initially as part of the liability. The portion relating to the derivative component is recognized immediately as an expense in the consolidated statement of income.

The derivative component is subsequently remeasured at each balance sheet date and any gains or losses arising from change in the fair value are recognized in the consolidated statement of income. The liability component is subsequently carried at amortized cost until extinguished on conversion or redemption. The interest expense recognized in the consolidated statement of income on the liability component is calculated using the effective interest method. Both the liability and the related derivative components are presented together for financial statements reporting purposes.

If the convertible bonds are converted, the carrying amounts of the derivative and liability components are transferred to share capital and share premium as consideration for the shares issued. If the convertible bonds are redeemed, any difference between the amount paid and the carrying amounts of both components is recognized in the consolidated statement of income.

(r)
Provisions and contingent liability

A provision is recognized for liability of uncertain timing or amount when the Group has a legal or constructive obligation arising as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made.

When it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is remote.

Provisions for future dismantlement costs are initially recognized based on the present value of the future costs expected to be incurred in respect of the Group’s expected dismantlement and abandonment costs at the end of related oil and gas exploration and development activities. Any subsequent change in the present value of the estimated costs, other than the change due to passage of time which is regarded as interest cost, is reflected as an adjustment to the provision and oil and gas properties.


 
F-20

 

 
(s)
Revenue recognition

Revenues associated with the sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum and chemical products and ancillary materials are recorded when the customer accepts the goods and the significant risks and rewards of ownership and title have been transferred to the buyer. Revenue from the rendering of services is recognized in the consolidated statement of income upon performance of the services. No revenue is recognized if there are significant uncertainties regarding recovery of the consideration due, the possible return of goods, or when the amount of revenue and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction cannot be measured reliably.

Interest income is recognized on a time apportioned basis that takes into account the effective yield on the asset.

A government grant that becomes receivable as compensation for expenses or losses already incurred with no future related costs is recognized as income in the period in which it becomes receivable.

(t)
Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs are expensed in the consolidated statements of income in the period in which they are incurred, except to the extent that they are capitalized as being attributable to the construction of an asset which necessarily takes a period of time to get ready for its intended use.

(u)
Repairs and maintenance expenditure

Repairs and maintenance expenditure is expensed as incurred.

(v)
Environmental expenditures

Environmental expenditures that relate to current ongoing operations or to conditions caused by past operations are expensed as incurred.

Liabilities related to future remediation costs are recorded when environmental assessments and / or cleanups are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. As facts concerning environmental contingencies become known to the Group, the Group reassesses its position both with respect to accrued liabilities and other potential exposures.

(w)
Research and development expense

Research and development expenditures are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Research and development expense amounted to RMB 5,842, RMB 6,335 and RMB 5,623 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

(x)
Operating leases

Operating lease payments are charged to the consolidated statement of income on a straight-line basis over the period of the respective leases.

(y)
Employee benefits

The contributions payable under the Group’s retirement plans are recognized as an expense in the consolidated statement of income as incurred and according to the contribution determined by the plans. Further information is set out in Note 32.

Termination benefits, such as employee reduction expenses, are recognized when, and only when, the Group demonstrably commits itself to terminate employment or to provide benefits as a result of voluntary redundancy by having a detailed formal plan which is without realistic possibility of withdrawal.

 
 
F-21

 

 
(z)
Income tax

Income tax comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax is calculated on taxable income by applying the applicable tax rates. Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method on all temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the assets can be utilized. Deferred tax is calculated on the basis of the enacted tax rates or substantially enacted tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. The effect on deferred tax of any changes in tax rates is charged or credited to the consolidated statement of income, except for the effect of a change in tax rate on the carrying amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities which were previously charged or credited to other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

The tax value of losses expected to be available for utilization against future taxable income is set off against the deferred tax liability within the same legal tax unit and jurisdiction to the extent appropriate, and is not available for set off against the taxable profit of another legal tax unit. The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at each balance sheet date and is reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

(aa)
Dividends

Dividends are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are declared.

(bb)
Segment reporting

Operating segments, and the amounts of each segment item reported in the financial statements, are identified from the financial information provided regularly to the Group’s chief operating decision maker for the purposes of allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of the Group’s various lines of business.

 
 
F-22

 

 
3.
OTHER OPERATING REVENUES

   
Years ended December 31,
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Sale of materials, service and others
    51,918       46,452       43,611  
Rental income
    509       612       662  
      52,427       47,064       44,273  
                         
4.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

The following items are included in selling, general and administrative expenses:

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating lease charges
    11,646       14,171       14,052  
Impairment losses
                       
- trade accounts receivable
    44       36       44  
- other receivables
    47       25       61  

5.
PERSONNEL EXPENSES

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Salaries, wages and other benefits
    45,164       48,094       49,599  
Contributions to retirement schemes (Note 32)
    6,603       7,259       7,634  
      51,767       55,353       57,233  
                         
6.
TAXES OTHER THAN INCOME TAX

   
Years ended December 31,
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Consumption tax (i)
    129,044       133,312       136,718  
Special oil income levy (ii)
    29,319       25,541       22,187  
City construction tax  (iii)
    12,443       13,283       13,753  
Education surcharge
    9,436       10,065       10,210  
Resources tax (iv)
    7,610       7,329       7,245  
Other
    631       1,142       1,089  
      188,483       190,672       191,202  
Note:                        

(i)
Consumption tax was levied based on sales quantities of taxable products, tax rate of products is presented as below:
 
Products
 
Effective from January 1, 2009
RMB/Ton
   
Effective from November 29,
2014
RMB/Ton
   
Effective from December 13, 2014
RMB/Ton
 
Gasoline
    1,388.00       1,554.56       1,943.20  
Diesel
    940.80       1,105.44       1,293.60  
Naphtha
    1,385.00       1,551.20       1,939.00  
Solvent oil
    1,282.00       1,435.84       1,794.80  
Lubricant oil
    1,126.00       1,261.12       1,576.40  
Fuel oil
    812.00       954.10       1,116.50  
Jet fuel oil
    996.80       1,171.24       1,370.60  

 
 
F-23

 

 
(ii)
In accordance with PRC new rules and regulations, the threshold above which special oil income levy will be imposed (with the five-level progressive tax rates varying from 20% to 40% remaining) will be raised from USD 55 per barrel to USD 65 per barrel from January 1, 2015.

(iii)
City construction tax is levied on an entity based on its total paid amount of value-added tax, consumption tax and business tax.

(iv)
The resources tax rate was raised from 5% to 6% from December 1, 2014.

7.
OTHER OPERATING INCOME / (EXPENSE), NET

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Fines, penalties and compensations
    (181 )     (47 )     (110 )
Donations
    (231 )     (245 )     (125 )
Gain / (loss) on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other non-currents assets, net
    133       (826 )     (1,622 )
Impairment losses on long-lived assets (Note i)
    (1,014 )     (2,661 )     (3,619 )
Net realized and unrealized (loss) / gain on derivative financial instruments not qualified as hedging
    (68 )     56       7  
Ineffective portion of change in fair value of cash flow hedges
    1       (34 )     2,260  
Government grants (Note ii)
    2,926       2,487       3,281  
Others
    (337 )     (607 )     (225 )
      1,229       (1,877 )     (153 )
                         
Note:

(i)
The primary factor resulting in the exploration and production (“E&P”) segment impairment losses of RMB 1,006, RMB 2,532 and RMB 2,436 on property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively was unsuccessful development drilling and high operating and development costs for certain oil fields. The carrying values of these E&P properties were written down to respective recoverable amounts which were determined based on the present values of the expected future cash flows of the asset using a pre-tax discount rate of 12.5%, 10.70% and 10.13% for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 
Impairment losses recognized for the chemicals segment were RMB 1,106 for the years ended December 31 2014, and comprised of impairment losses of and RMB 917 on property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2014, impairment losses of RMB 10 on construction in progress for the years ended December 31, 2014, and impairment losses of RMB 179 on Intangible Assets of the year ended December 31, 2014. Impairment losses recognized for the refining segment were RMB 88 and RMB 29 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and comprised of impairment losses of RMB 88 and RMB 29 on property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. These impairment losses relate to certain refining and chemicals production facilities that are held for use. The carrying values of these facilities were written down to their recoverable amounts that were primarily determined based on the asset held for use model using the present value of estimated future cash flows of the production facilities using the pre-tax discount rates. The primary factor resulting in the impairment losses on long-lived assets of the refining and chemicals segments was due to higher operating and production costs caused by the increase in the prices of raw materials that are not expected to be covered through an increase in selling price for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 and the suspension of operations of certain production facilities for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 
Impairment losses recognized on long-lived assets of the marketing and distribution segment were RMB 8, RMB 35 and RMB 40 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and comprised of impairment losses of RMB 8, RMB 18 and RMB 38 on property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, impairment losses of RMB 15 on construction in progress for the years ended December 31, 2013, and impairment losses of RMB 2 and RMB 2 on investments of the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, primarily relate to

 
 
F-24

 
 
 
 
certain service stations and certain construction in progress that were closed or abandoned during respective years. In measuring the amounts of impairment charges, the carrying amounts of these assets were compared to the present value of the expected future cash flows of the assets, as well as information about sales and purchases of similar properties in the same geographic area.

 
Impairment losses recognized on long-lived assets of the corporate and others segment were RMB 15 and RMB 8 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively and comprised o impairment losses of RMB 15 and RMB 8 on property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

(ii)
Government grants for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 primarily represent financial appropriation income and non-income tax refunds received from respective government agencies without conditions or other contingencies attached to the receipts of these grants.

8.
INTEREST EXPENSE

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Interest expense incurred
    12,069       11,435       11,929  
Less: Interest expense capitalized*
    (1,708 )     (1,710 )     (1,719 )
      10,361       9,725       10,210  
Accretion expenses (Note 27)
    856       877       1,008  
Interest expense
    11,217       10,602       11,218  
                         
* Interest rates per annum at which borrowing costs were Capitalized for construction in progress
 
2.6% to 6.2
%  
0.9% to 6.4
%  
0.7% to 7.1
%
                   
9.
TAX EXPENSE

Tax expense in the consolidated statement of income represents:

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current tax
                 
- Provision for the year
    23,950       22,741       18,341  
- Adjustment of prior years
    572       302       1,022  
Deferred taxation (Note 21)
    (676 )     1,720       (1,792 )
      23,846       24,763       17,571  
                         
Reconciliation between actual income tax expense and the expected income tax at applicable statutory tax rates is as follows:

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Earnings before income tax
    90,642       95,052       65,504  
Expected PRC income tax expense at a statutory tax rate of 25%
    22,661       23,763       16,376  
Tax effect of preferential tax rate (Note i)
    (2,080 )     (1,962 )     (1,722 )
Effect of income taxes from foreign operations different from taxes at the PRC statutory tax rate (Note ii)
    1,911       2,171       622  
Tax effect of non-deductible expenses
    536       805       717  
Tax effect of non-taxable income
    (707 )     (1,327 )     (1,126 )
Tax effect of utilization of previously unrecognized tax losses and temporary differences
    (190 )     (575 )     (27 )
Tax effect of tax losses not recognized
    963       660       1,595  
Write-down of deferred tax assets
    180       926       114  
Adjustment of prior years
    572       302       1,022  
Actual income tax expense
    23,846       24,763       17,571  
                         
 
 
F-25

 

 
Note:
 
(i)
The provision for PRC current income tax is based on a statutory income tax rate of 25% of the assessable income of the Group as determined in accordance with the relevant income tax rules and regulations of the PRC, except for certain entities of the Group in western regions in the PRC are taxed at preferential income tax rate of 15% through the year 2020.

(ii)
It is mainly due to the foreign operation in the Republic of Angola (“Angola”) that is taxed at 50% of the assessable income as determined in accordance with the relevant income tax rules and regulations of Angola.

10.
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
Before-tax amount
   
Tax effect
   
Net-of-tax amount
   
Before-tax amount
   
Tax effect
   
Net-of-tax amount
   
Before-tax amount
   
Tax effect
   
Net-of-tax amount
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                                                       
Cash flow hedges:
                                                     
Effective portion of changes in fair value of hedging instruments recognized during the year
    (438 )     71       (367 )     1,271       (210 )     1,061       265       (47 )     218  
Amounts transferred to initial carrying amount of hedged items
                      (9 )     1       (8 )     (1,013 )     181       (832 )
Reclassification adjustments for amounts transferred to the consolidated statement of income
    258       (42 )     216       (538 )     89       (449 )     (4,710 )     839       (3,871 )
Net movement during the year recognized in other comprehensive income
    (180 )     29       (151 )     724       (120 )     604       (5,458 )     973       (4,485 )
Available-for-sale securities:
                                                                       
Changes in fair value recognized during the year
    26             26       1,747       (433 )     1,314       659       (146 )     513  
Reclassification adjustments for amounts transferred to the consolidated statement of income(i)
                                        (2,317 )     579       (1,738 )
Net movement during the year recognized in other comprehensive income
    26             26       1,747       (433 )     1,314       (1,658 )     433       (1,225 )
Share of other comprehensive income/ (loss) of associates and joint ventures
    80             80       (297 )           (297 )     (3,042 )  
      (3,042 )
Foreign currency translation differences
    (44 )           (44 )     (689 )           (689 )     (514 )  
      (514 )
Other comprehensive income
    (118 )     29       (89 )     1,485       (553 )     932       (10,672 )     1,406       (9,266 )
                                                                         
Note:

(i)
The Group sold its shares of China Gas Holdings Limited in August 2014, which was accounted for as available-for-sale financial assets prior to the transaction and the accumulated unrealized gain in other comprehensive income of RMB 2,317 was reclassified to the investment income at the completion of this transaction.

11.
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is based on the net income attributable to ordinary owners of the Company of RMB 63,879 , RMB 66,132 and RMB 46,466 , respectively, and the weighted average number of the shares of 112,853,724,741, 116,102,910,373 and

 
 
F-26

 

 
116,822,487,451, respectively. The weighted average number of shares for the year ended December 31, 2012 has been retrospectively adjusted as a result of bonus shares issuance and capitalization during the year of 2013 (Note 28) and the basic earnings and diluted earnings per share has been adjusted retrospectively. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is based on the net income attributable to ordinary owners of the Company of RMB 64,482, RMB 65,087 and RMB 46,600 , respectively, and the weighted average number of the shares of 118,412,133,133, 121,858,818,276 and 117,242,396,710,  respectively, calculated as follows:

(i)
Net income attributable to ordinary owners of the Company (diluted)

   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Net income attributable to ordinary owners of the Company
    63,879       66,132       46,466  
After tax effect of interest expense (net of exchange gain) of the 2007 Convertible Bonds and the 2011 Convertible Bonds
    556       476       133  
After tax effect of net loss / (gain) on embedded derivative components of the 2007 Convertible Bonds and the 2011 Convertible Bonds
    47       (1,521 )     1  
Net income attributable to ordinary owners of the Company (diluted)
    64,482       65,087       46,600  
                         
(ii)
Weighted average number of shares (diluted)

   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
Number of shares
   
Number of shares
   
Number of shares
 
Weighted average number of shares as of December 31
    112,853,724,741       116,102,910,373       116,822,487,451  
Effect of conversion of the 2007 Convertible Bonds
    1,421,733,118       1,439,688,889       419,909,259  
Effect of conversion of the 2011 Convertible Bonds
    4,136,675,274       4,316,219,014    
 
Weighted average number of shares (diluted) as of December 31
    118,412,133,133       121,858,818,276       117,242,396,710  
                         
12.
TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Amounts due from third parties
    50,638       65,883  
Amounts due from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    9,311       20,188  
Amounts due from associates and jointly ventures
    9,091       5,290  
      69,040       91,361  
Less: Impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts
    (574 )     (530 )
Trade accounts receivable, net
    68,466       90,831  
                 
Impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts are analyzed as follows:

   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Balance as of January 1
    1,012       699       574  
Provision for the year
    44       36       44  
Written back for the year
    (155 )     (38 )     (15 )
Written off for the year
    (202 )     (123 )     (57 )
Other                 (16 )
Balance as of December 31
    699       574       530  
                         
Sales are generally on a cash term. Credit is generally only available for major customers with well-established trading records. Amounts due from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries are repayable under the same terms.

 
 
F-27

 


Trade accounts receivable (net of impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts) primarily represents receivables that are neither past due nor impaired. These receivables relate to a wide range of customers for whom there is no recent history of default.
 
 
 
F-28

 

 
13.
INVENTORIES

   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Crude oil and other raw materials
    124,198       95,298  
Work in progress
    21,181       22,728  
Finished goods
    76,289       71,959  
Spare parts and consumables
    1,989       1,841  
      223,657       191,826  
Less: Allowance for diminution in value of inventories
    (1,751 )     (3,603 )
      221,906       188,223  
                 
Allowance for diminution in value of inventories is analyzed as follows:

   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Balance as of January 1
    1,382       491       1,751  
Allowance for the year
    7,419       1,453       3,327  
Reversal of allowance on disposal
    (378 )     (1 )     (136 )
Written off
    (7,943 )     (192 )     (1,327 )
Other increase
    11             (12 )
Balance as of December 31
    491       1,751       3,603  
                         
During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, costs of inventories recognized as an expense in the consolidated statement of income were RMB 2,372,215, RMB 2,433,886 and RMB 2,404,093, respectively. Such costs include the write-down of inventories that was primarily related to the refining, chemicals and marketing segments of RMB 7,419, RMB 1,453 and RMB 3,327, respectively, and the reversal of write-down of inventories of RMB 378, RMB 1 and RMB 136, respectively. The write-down of inventories and the reversal of write-down of inventories were recorded in purchased crude oil, products and operating supplies and expenses in the consolidated statement of income. The write-down of inventories for the year ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were RMB 7,943, RMB 192 and RMB 1,327, which were realized primarily with the sales of inventories.  The write-down of inventories in 2014 was mainly due to decline of crude oi price at the end of the year.

14.
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Receivables
    10,130       17,941  
Advances to suppliers
    4,216       3,780  
Value-added input tax to be deducted
    19,756       22,684  
Derivative financial instruments
    4,664       12,622  
      38,766       57,027  
                 
 
 
F-29

 

 
15.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

   
Plants and buildings
   
Oil and gas properties
   
Equipment, machinery and others
   
Total
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Cost:
                       
Balance as of January 1, 2013
    86,215       451,288       693,583       1,231,086  
Additions
    100       4,188       1,058       5,346  
Transferred from construction in progress
    10,385       61,144       87,573       159,102  
Contributed to joint ventures
    (2 )           (53 )     (55 )
Reclassifications
    1,010       10       (1,020 )      
Reclassification to lease prepayments and other long-term assets
    (252 )           (3,329 )     (3,581 )
Exchange adjustments
    (50 )     (929 )     (65 )     (1,044 )
Disposals
    (619 )           (9,645 )     (10,264 )
Balance as of December 31, 2013
    96,787       515,701       768,102       1,380,590  
                                 
Balance as of January 1, 2014
    96,787       515,701       768,102       1,380,590  
Additions
    40       3,309       579       3,928  
Transferred from construction in progress
    6,164       50,130       73,857       130,151  
Contribution to a joint venture
    (52 )           (190 )     (242 )
Acquisitions (Note 34 (iv))
    440             2,984       3,424  
Reclassifications
    390       (6 )     (384 )      
Reclassification to lease prepayments and other long-term assets
    (1,822 )     (13 )     (18,854 )     (20,689 )
Exchange adjustments
    6       120       8       134  
Disposals
    (863 )     (69 )     (12,924 )     (13,856 )
Balance as of December 31, 2014
    101,090       569,172       813,178       1,483,440  
                                 
Accumulated depreciation:
                               
Balance as of January 1, 2013
    34,490       252,214       355,413       642,117  
Depreciation for the year
    3,109       34,347       38,065       75,521  
Impairment losses for the year
    23       2,520       101       2,644  
Transferred from construction in progress
    516                   516  
Contributed to joint ventures
    (1 )           (34 )     (35 )
Reclassifications
    83       7       (90 )      
Reclassification to lease prepayments and other long-term assets
    (40 )           (394 )     (434 )
Written back on disposals
    (483 )           (8,312 )     (8,795 )
Exchange adjustments
    (17 )     (494 )     (28 )     (539 )
Balance as of December 31, 2013
    37,680       288,594       384,721       710,995  
                                 
Balance as of January 1, 2014
    37,680       288,594       384,721       710,995  
Depreciation for the year
    3,381       38,235       41,513       83,129  
Impairment losses for the year
    21       2,436       971       3,428  
Reclassifications
    130       (2 )     (128 )      
Reclassification to lease prepayments and other long-term assets
    (317 )     (8 )     (5,117 )     (5,442 )
Written back on disposals
    (732 )     (57 )     (11,441 )     (12,230 )
Exchange adjustment
    2       69       4       75  
Balance as of December 31, 2014
    40,165       329,267       410,523       779,955  
                                 
Net book value:
                               
Balance as of January 1, 2013
    51,725       199,074       338,170       588,969  
Balance as of December 31, 2013
    59,107       227,107       383,381       669,595  
Balance as of December 31, 2014
    60,925       239,905       402,655       703,485  
                                 
Note:

The additions to the oil and gas properties of the Group for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 included RMB 4,188 and RMB 3,309, respectively, of the estimated dismantlement costs for site restoration (Note 27).


 
F-30

 

 
16.
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Balance as of January 1
    168,977       160,630  
Additions
    167,605       149,830  
Acquisitions (Note 34 (iv))
          14,162  
Dry hole costs written off
    (5,599 )     (5,587 )
Transferred to property, plant and equipment
    (158,586 )     (130,151 )
Reclassification to lease prepayments and other long-term assets
    (11,718 )     (10,154 )
Impairment losses for the year
    (15 )     (10 )
Disposals
          (1,058 )
Exchange adjustments
    (34 )     5  
Balance as of December 31
    160,630       177,667  
                 
Net changes in capitalized cost of exploratory wells included in the Group’s construction in progress in the E&P segment are analyzed as follows:

   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
At beginning of year.
    10,649       17,829       19,152  
Additions, net of amount that were capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same year, pending the determination of proved reserves
    14,083       9,603       9,480  
Transferred to oil and gas properties based on the determination of proved reserves
    (1,108 )     (2,945 )     (3,891 )
Dry hole costs written off
    (5,795 )     (5,335 )     (5,455 )
At end of year
    17,829       19,152       19,286  
                         
Aging of capitalized exploratory well costs based on the date the drilling was completed are analyzed as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
One year or less
    11,931       9,893       9,743  
Over one year
    5,898       9,259       9,543  
      17,829       19,152       19,286  
                         
Capitalized exploratory wells costs aged over one year are related to wells for which the drilling results are being further evaluated or the development plans are being formulated.

The geological and geophysical costs paid during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 amounted to RMB 7,469, RMB 6,735 and RMB 5,028, respectively.


 
F-31

 

 
17.
GOODWILL

   
December31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
             
Cost
    13,912       13,938  
Less: accumulated impairment losses
    (7,657 )     (7,657 )
      6,255       6,281  
                 
Impairment tests for cash-generating units containing goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to the following Group’s cash-generating units:

   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Sinopec Beijing Yanshan Branch (“Sinopec Yanshan”)
    1,157       1,157  
Sinopec Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Branch (“Sinopec Zhenhai”)
    4,043       4,043  
Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited
    853       853  
Multiple units without individually significant goodwill
    202       228  
      6,255       6,281  
                 
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of purchase over the fair value of the underlying assets and liabilities. The recoverable amounts of the above cash generating units are determined based on value in use calculations. These calculations use cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a one-year period and pre-tax discount rates primarily ranging from 11.5% to 12.7% and 10.0% to 10.9%  for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Cash flows beyond the one-year period are maintained constant. Based on the estimated recoverable amount, no impairment loss was recognized.

Key assumptions used for cash flow forecasts for these entities are the gross margin and sales volume. Management determined the budgeted gross margin based on the gross margin achieved in the period immediately before the budget period and management’s expectation on the future trend of the prices of crude oil and petrochemical products. The sales volume was based on the production capacity and/or the sales volume in the period immediately before the budget period.

18.
INTEREST IN ASSOCIATES

The Group’s investments in associates are with companies primarily engaged in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and marketing and distribution operations in the PRC.

The Group’s principal associates, all of which are unlisted companies incorporated and operating their business principally in the PRC, are as follows:

Name of company
 
Form of business structure
 
Particulars of issued and paid up capital
 
Percentage of equity held by the Company
   
Percentage of equity held by the Company’s subsidiaries
 
Principal activities
           
%
   
%
   
Sinopec Finance Company Limited ("Sinopec Finance")
 
Incorporated
 
Registered capital RMB 10,000
    49.00        
Provision of non-banking financial services
China Aviation Oil Supply Company Limited ("China Aviation Oil")
 
Incorporated
 
Registered capital RMB 3,800
          29.00  
Marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products
Zhongtian Synergetic Energy Company Limited ("Zhongtian Synergetic Energy")
 
Incorporated
 
Registered capital RMB 16,000
          38.75  
Manufacturing of coal-chemical products


 
F-32

 


Shanghai Chemical Industry Park Development Company Limited ("Shanghai Chemical")
 
Incorporated
 
Registered capital RMB 2,372
          38.26  
Planning, development and operation of the Chemical Industry Park in Shanghai, the PRC
Shanghai Petroleum Company Limited ("Shanghai Petroleum")
 
Incorporated
 
Registered capital RMB 900
    30.00        
Exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas
 
Summarized financial information and reconciliation to their carrying amounts in respect of the Group’s principal associates:
 
   
Sinopec Finance
 
China Aviation Oil
 
Zhongtian Synergetic Energy
 
Shanghai Chemical
 
Shanghai Petroleum
   
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current assets
    104,477       108,999       15,410       13,816       4,474       6,833       3,094       2,466       2,849       2,783  
Non-current assets
    17,490       14,992       4,830       4,996       6,987       15,849       2,601       2,819       1,058       1,126  
Current liabilities
    (102,112 )     (105,289 )     (12,249 )     (11,051 )     (335 )     (7,538 )     (1,183 )     (640 )     (281 )     (224 )
Non-current liabilities
    (3,271 )     (104 )     (233 )     (227 )     (1,330 )     (2,348 )     (1,102 )     (1,043 )     (354 )     (370 )
Net assets
    16,584       18,598       7,758       7,534       9,796       12,796       3,410       3,602       3,272       3,315  
Net assets attributable to non-controlling interests
                899       877                                      
Net assets attributable to owners of the Company
    16,584       18,598       6,859       6,657       9,796       12,796       3,410       3,602       3,272       3,315  
Share of net assets from associates
    8,126       9,113       1,989       1,998       3,796       4,958       980       1,043       982       995  
Carrying Amounts
    8,126       9,113       1,989       1,998       3,796       4,958       980       1,043       982       995  

Summarized statement of comprehensive income

Year ended December 31
 
Sinopec Finance
 
China Aviation Oil
 
Zhongtian Synergetic Energy(i)
 
Shanghai Chemical
 
Shanghai Petroleum
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
 
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
      RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating revenues
    3,329       2,893       2,706       102,467       111,023       115,725                         6       6       1       1,069       948       1,005  
Net income for the year
    1,374       1,409       2,522       1,790       2,027       1,097       (47 )                 143       124       222       209       66       163  
Other comprehensive income / (loss)
    160       (608 )     (508 )                                                                        
Total comprehensive income
    1,534       801       2,014       1,790       2,027       1,097       (47 )                 143       124       222       209       66       163  
Dividends declared by associates
                      414       444       309                               17       11       90       60       36  
Share of net income / (loss) from associates
    673       690       1,236       442       513       318       (18 )                 55       47       85       63       20       49  
Share of other comprehensive income / (loss) from associates
    79       (298 )     (249 )                                                                        
 
Note:
 
(i)
The main assets of Zhongtian Synergetic Energy was under construction during the year ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 
The share of net income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in all individually immaterial associates accounted for using equity method in aggregate were RMB 1,215, RMB 751 and RMB 1,160, respectively.

 
The share of other comprehensive income / (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in all individually immaterial associates accounted for using equity method in aggregate were RMB 1, RMB 1 and loss of RMB 57, respectively.


 
F-33

 
 
 
 
The carrying amount as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 of all individually immaterial associates acoounted for using equity method in aggregate were RMB 12,571 and RMB 14,012, respectively.
 
19.
INTEREST IN JOINT VENTURES

The Group’s principal interests in joint ventures which are incorporated companies are as follows:

Name of company
 
Country of incorporation
 
Particulars of issued and paid up capital
 
Percentage of equity held by the Company
   
Percentage of equity held by the Company’s subsidiaries
 
 Principal activities
  Principal Place of Business
           
%
   
%
       
Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company Ltd. ("YASREF")(i)
 
Saudi Arabia
 
Registered capital USD 1,560
          37.50  
Petroleum refining and processing business
  Saudi Arabia
BASF-YPC Company Limited ("BASF-YPC")
 
PRC
 
Registered capital RMB 12,343
    30.00       10.00  
Manufacturing and distribution of petrochemical products
  PRC
Caspian Investments Resources Ltd. ("CIR")(ii)
 
British Virgin Islands
 
Registered capital USD 10,000
          50.00  
Crude oil and natural gas extraction
  Kazakhstan
Taihu Limited ("Taihu")(ii)
 
Cyprus
 
Registered capital USD 25,000
          49.00  
Crude oil and natural gas extraction
  Russia
Mansarovar Energy Colombia Ltd. ("Mansarovar")(ii)
 
British Bermuda
 
Registered capital USD 12,000
          50.00  
Crude oil and natural gas extraction
  Colombia

Summarized balance sheet and reconciliation to their carrying amounts in respect of the Group’s principal joint ventures:

   
BASF-YPC
 
CIR (ii)
 
Taihu (ii)
 
Mansarovar (ii)
   
December 31,
2013
   
December31,
2014
   
December 31,
2013
   
December31,
2014
   
December 31,
2013
   
December31,
2014
   
December 31,
2013
   
December31,
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current assets
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
    550       1,112       4,820       4,873       166       117       346       580  
Other current assets
    6,727       5,879       2,437       1,881       3,476       2,886       985       328  
Total current assets
    7,277       6,991       7,257       6,754       3,642       3,003       1,331       908  
Non-current assets
    18,496       17,209       14,244       13,078       14,796       7,995       10,739       9,702  
Current liabilities
                                                               
Current financial liabilities (iii)
    (2,990 )     (3,318 )     (278 )     (272 )     (6,903 )     (1,228 )     (854 )      
Other current liabilities
    (2,027 )     (2,235 )     (1,764 )     (851 )     (2,065 )     (1,742 )     (776 )     (860 )
Total current liabilities
    (5,017 )     (5,553 )     (2,042 )     (1,123 )     (8,968 )     (2,970 )     (1,630 )     (860 )
Non-current liabilities
                                                               
Non-current financial liabilities (iv)
    (4,904 )     (4,019 )     (956 )     (680 )           (2,905 )            
Other non-current liabilities
    (1 )           (1,545 )     (1,253 )     (3,354 )     (2,175 )     (4,120 )     (3,662 )
Total non-current liabilities
    (4,905 )     (4,019 )     (2,501 )     (1,933 )     (3,354 )     (5,080 )     (4,120 )     (3,662 )
Net assets
    15,851       14,628       16,958       16,776       6,116       2,948       6,320       6,088  
Net assets attributable to non-controlling interests
                            211       102              
Net assets attributable to owners of the company
    15,851       14,628       16,958       16,776       5,905       2,846       6,320       6,088  
Share of net assets from joint ventures
    6,340       5,851       8,479       8,388       2,893       1,395       3,160       3,044  
Other (v)
                579       616       1,455       814       3       85  
Carrying Amounts
    6,340       5,851       9,058       9,004       4,348       2,209       3,163       3,129  

Note:

(i)
Pursuant to the resolution passed at the Directors' meeting held on October 31, 2014 and the purchase agreement entered into with relevant vendors, the Group completed the acquisition from the Sinopec Group Company a 37.5% equity interests in YASREF for a consideration of approximately USD 562 million (approximately RMB 3,439) and also injected capital of approximately USD 199 million (approximately RMB 1,216) to YASREF on December 31, 2014.

 
 
F-34

 
 

As the purchase price allocation has not been completed, the summarized financial information for YASREF is not disclosed.

(ii)
The Group acquired from the Sinopec Group Company 50% of equity interests of Mansarovar in November 2013, 50% of equity interests of CIR and 49% of equity interests of Taihu in December 2013.

(iii)
Excluding trade accounts payable and other payables.

(iv)
Excluding provisions.

(v)
Other reflects the excess of consideration transferred over the net fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.

Summarized statement of comprehensive income

Year ended December 31,
 
BASF-YPC
 
CIR (ii)
 
Taihu (ii)
 
Mansarovar (ii)
    2012    
2013
   
2014
   
2014
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
      RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating revenues
    22,938       23,176       22,191       8,366       18,183       360       3,781  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (1,983 )     (2,147 )     (15,649 )     (2,632 )     (1,501 )     (88 )     (1,870 )
Interest income
    28       20       26       8                   31  
Interest expense
    (388 )     (319 )     (356 )           (54 )     (7 )      
Earning before income tax
    939       1,060       373       7       3,014       130       641  
Tax expense
    (240 )     (279 )     (94 )     (252 )     (809 )     (50 )     (897 )
Net income for the year
    699       781       279       (245 )     2,205       80       (256 )
Other comprehensive income / (loss)
                      63       (5,373 )           24  
Total comprehensive income / (loss)
    699       781       279       (182 )     (3,168 )     80       (232 )
Dividends declared by a joint venture
    1,061             933                          
Share of net income / (loss) from joint ventures
    280       312       112       (123 )     1,043       40       (128 )
Share of other comprehensive income / (loss) from joint ventures
                      32       (2,541 )           12  

The share of net income / (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in all individually immaterial joint ventures accounted for using equity method in aggregate were RMB 24, a loss of RMB 14 and a loss of RMB 122, respectively.

The share of other comprehensive income / (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in all individually immaterial joint ventures accounted for using equity method in aggregate were RMB 79, RMB nil and a loss of RMB 239, respectively.

The carrying amount as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 of all individually immaterial joint ventures accounted for using equity method in aggregate were RMB 23,965 and RMB 28,281, respectively.
 
20.
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Equity securities, listed and at quoted market price (Note 10(i))
    1,964       183  
Other investment, unlisted and at cost
    1,834       714  
      3,798       897  
Less: Impairment losses for investments
    (68 )     (29 )
      3,730       868  
                 
 
 
F-35

 


Other investment unlisted and at cost represent the Group’s interests in PRC privately owned enterprises which are mainly engaged in non-oil and gas activities and operations.

The impairment losses relating to investments for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 amounted to RMB 2 and RMB nil, respectively.

21.
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities before offset are attributable to the items detailed in the table below:

   
Assets
   
Liabilities
   
Net balance
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current
                                   
Receivables and inventories
    3,315       2,883          
      3,315       2,883  
Accruals
    357       258          
      357       258  
Cash flow hedges
    34       887       (120 )  
      (86 )     887  
Non-current
                                             
Property, plant and equipment
    7,200       7,752       (15,590 )     (16,387 )     (8,390 )     (8,635 )
Tax losses carried forward
    2,261       3,474          
      2,261       3,474  
Embedded derivative component of the convertible bonds
          282       (870 )  
      (870 )     282  
Available-for-sale securities
          7       (436 )     (4 )     (436 )     3  
Others
    99       86       (86 )     (79 )     13       7  
Deferred tax assets / (liabilities)
    13,266       15,629       (17,102 )     (16,470 )     (3,836 )     (841 )
                                                 
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, certain subsidiaries of the Company did not recognize deferred tax of deductable loss carried forward of RMB 10,809 and RMB 17,085, respectively, of which RMB 2,638 and RMB 6,996 were incurred for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, because it was not probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. Those deductable tax losses carried forward of RMB 325, RMB 3,344, RMB 3,786 and RMB 2,634 and RMB 6,996 will expire in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and after, respectively.

Periodically, management performed assessment on the probability that future taxable profit will be available over the period which the deferred tax assets can be realized or utilized. In assessing the probability, both positive and negative evidence was considered, including whether it is probable that the operations will have sufficient future taxable profits over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible or utilized and whether the tax losses result from identifiable causes which are unlikely to recur. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, write-down of deferred tax assets amounted to RMB 926 and RMB 114 related to the expiration of tax loss, respectively.


 
F-36

 

 
Movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

   
Balance as of January 1, 2012
   
Recognized in consolidated statement of income
   
Recognized in other comprehensive income
   
Balance as of December 31, 2012
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                         
Current
                       
Receivables and inventories
    3,105       187             3,292  
Accruals
    1,844       (1,423 )           421  
Cash flow hedges
    7             29       36  
Non-current
                               
Property, plant and equipment
    (8,622 )     413       15       (8,194 )
Tax losses carried forward
    1,550       1,501             3,051  
Embedded derivative component of the convertible bonds
    (379 )     15             (364 )
Available-for-sale securities
    (3 )                 (3 )
Others
    23       (17 )           6  
Net deferred tax liabilities
    (2,475 )     676       44       (1,755 )
                                 
   
Balance as of January 1, 2013
   
Recognized in consolidated statement of income
   
Recognized in other comprehensive income
   
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current
                       
Receivables and inventories
    3,292       23             3,315  
Accruals
    421       (64 )           357  
Cash-flow hedges
    36       (2 )     (120 )     (86 )
Non-current
                               
Property, plant and equipment
    (8,194 )     (388 )     192       (8,390 )
Tax losses carried forward
    3,051       (790 )           2,261  
Embedded derivative component of the convertible bonds
    (364 )     (506 )           (870 )
Available-for-sale securities
    (3 )           (433 )     (436 )
Others
    6       7             13  
Net deferred tax liabilities
    (1,755 )     (1,720 )     (361 )     (3,836 )
                                 
   
Balance as of January 1, 2014
   
Recognized in consolidated statement of income
   
Recognized in other comprehensive income
   
Others
   
Balance as of Decembe 31, 2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current
                             
Receivables and inventories
    3,315       (432 )                 2,883  
Accruals
    357       (99 )                 258  
Cash-flow hedges
    (86 )           973             887  
Non-current
                                       
Property, plant and equipment
    (8,390 )     (42 )     (21 )     (182 )     (8,635 )
Tax losses carried forward
    2,261       1,213                   3,474  
Embedded derivative component of the convertible bonds
    (870 )     1,152                   282  
Available-for-sale securities
    (436 )     6       433             3  
Others
    13       (6 )                 7  
Net deferred tax liabilities
    (3,836 )     1,792       1,385       (182 )     (841 )
                                         
 
 
F-37

 

 
22.
LEASE PREPAYMENTS

   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Cost:
 
 
   
 
 
Balance at January 1
    43,002       51,417  
Additions
    717       904  
Transferred from construction in progress
    6,697       4,693  
Transferred from other long-term assets
    1,214       4,408  
Reclassification to other assets
    (34 )     (1,324 )
Disposals
    (86 )     (247 )
Exchange adjustments
    (93 )     10  
Balance at December 31
    51,417       59,861  
Accumulated amortization:
               
Balance at January 1
    6,762       8,147  
Amortization charge for the year
    1,288       1,504  
Transferred from other long-term assets
    155       1,279  
Reclassification to other assets
    (5 )     (186 )
Written back on disposals
    (33 )     (22 )
Exchange adjustments
    (20 )     3  
Balance at December 31
    8,147       10,725  
Net book value:
    43,270       49,136  
                 
23.
LONG-TERM PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS

   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating rights of service stations
           
Cost:
           
Balance at January 1
    11,851       15,840  
Additions
    4,136       17,038  
Decreases
    (147 )     (130 )
Balance at December 31
    15,840       32,748  
Accumulated amortization:
               
Balance at January 1
    1,396       2,213  
Additions
    830       4,477  
Decreases
    (13 )     (17 )
Balance at December 31
    2,213       6,673  
Net book value at December 31
    13,627       26,075  
Other assets
               
Long-term receivables from and prepayment to Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    11,378       14,935  
Prepayments for construction projects to third parties
    4,764       4,944  
Others
    17,198       20,261  
Balance at December 31
    46,967       66,215  
                 
 
 
F-38

 

 
24.
SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBTS AND LOANS FROM SINOPEC GROUP COMPANY AND FELLOW SUBSIDIARIES

Short-term debts represent:
   
December 31,
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Third parties’ debts
           
Short-term bank loans
    54,640       63,915  
RMB denominated
    19,983       22,805  
US Dollar denominated
    34,657       40,685  
Euro denominated
          425  
Current portion of long-term bank loans
    1,093       268  
RMB denominated
    371       163  
Japanese Yen denominated
    60       54  
US Dollar denominated
    662       51  
Current portion of long-term corporate bonds
    3,500       11,000  
RMB denominated
    3,500       11,000  
Current portion of convertible bonds
    40,573        
      45,166       11,268  
Corporate bonds (i)
    10,000        
      109,806       75,183  
Loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
               
Short-term loans
    53,481       102,773  
RMB denominated
    7,251       9,628  
US Dollar denominated
    46,225       93,126  
Hong Kong Dollar denominated
    5       5  
Euro denominated
          14  
Current portion of long-term loans
    583       192  
RMB denominated
    555       80  
US Dollar denominated
    28       112  
      54,064       102,965  
      163,870       178,148  
                 
The Group’s weighted average interest rates on short-term loans were 2.2% and 1.9% as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Long-term debts comprise:

   
Interest rate and final maturity
 
December 31,
       
2013
   
2014
 
       
RMB
   
RMB
 
Third parties’ debts
               
Long-term bank loans
               
Renminbi denominated
 
Interest rates ranging from interest free to 7.4% per annum as of December 31, 2014 with maturities through 2025
    7,712       23,001  
Japanese Yen denominated
 
Interest rates at 2.6% per annum as of  December31, 2014 with maturities in 2023
    561       445  
US Dollar denominated
 
Interest rates ranging from interest free to 4.29 % per annum as of December 31,  2014 with maturities through 2031
    916       1,103  
          9,189       24,549  
                     


 
F-39

 


Corporate bonds
               
                 
Renminbi denominated
 
Fixed interest rates ranging from 3.75% to 5.68% per annum as of December 31, 2014 with maturities through 2022 (ii)
    60,000       56,500  
US Dollar denominated
 
Fixed interest rates ranging from 1.25 % to 4.25 % per annum as of December 31, 2014 with maturities through 2043
    21,177       21,285  
          81,177       77,785  
                     
                 
       
   
Interest rate and final maturity
 
December 31,
   
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
       
RMB
   
RMB
 
                 
Convertible bonds
               
Hong Kong Dollar denominated
 
Convertible bonds with maturity in 2014 (iii)
    10,948        
                     
Renminbi denominated
 
Bonds with Warrants with maturity in 2014 (iv)
    29,625        
   
Convertible Bonds with maturity in 2017 (v)
    21,461       16,721  
          62,034       16,721  
                     
Total third parties’ long-term debts
    152,400       119,055  
                     
Less: Current portion
        (45,166 )     (11,268 )
          107,234       107,787  

Long-term loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
 
                 
Renminbi denominated
 
Interest rates ranging from interest free to 6.46% per annum as of December 31, 2014 with maturities through 2020
    38,911       43,225  
US Dollar denominated
 
Interest rates ranging from 0.74 % to 1.85% per annum as of December 31, 2014 with maturities in 2015
    28       112  
Less: Current portion
        (583 )     (192 )
          38,356       43,145  
          145,590       150,932  
                     
Short-term and long-term bank loans, long-term other loans and loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries are primarily unsecured.
 
Note:
 
(i)
The Company issued 180-day corporate bonds of face value RMB 10 billion to corporate investors in the PRC debenture market on May 19, 2014 at par value of RMB 100. The effective yield of the 180-day corporate bonds is 4.40% per annum. The short-term bonds were due on November 16, 2014 and were fully paid by the Group at maturity.

 
The Company issued 270-day corporate bonds of face value RMB 10 billion to corporate investors in the PRC debenture market on August 15, 2013 at par value of RMB 100. The effective yield of the 270-day corporate bonds is 4.49% per annum. The short-term bonds were due on May 13, 2014 and have been fully paid by the Group at maturity.

(ii)
These corporate bonds are guaranteed by Sinopec Group Company and carried at amortized cost.


 
F-40

 
 
 
(iii)
On April 24, 2007, the Company issued zero coupon convertible bonds due 2014 with an aggregate principal amount of HKD 11,700 (the “2007 Convertible Bonds”). The holders can convert the 2007 Convertible Bonds into shares of the Company from June 4, 2007 onwards at a price of HKD10.76 per share, subject to adjustment for, amongst other things, subdivision or consolidation of shares, bonus issues, rights issues, capital distribution, change of control and other events, which have a dilutive effect on the issued share capital of the Company (“the Conversion Option”). Unless previously redeemed, converted or purchased and cancelled, the 2007 Convertible Bonds will be redeemed on the maturity date at 121.069% of the principal amount. The Company has an early redemption option at any time after April 24, 2011 (subject to certain criteria) (the “Early Redemption Option”) and a cash settlement option when the holders exercise their conversion right (the “Cash Settlement Option”).

 
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company redeemed part of the 2007 Convertible Bonds upon certain holders’ request, with the principal amount of HKD 39.

 
As of December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the liability component and the derivative component, representing the Conversion Option, the Early Redemption Option was RMB 10,948. No conversion of the 2007 Convertible Bonds has occurred up to December 31, 2013.
 
 
The 2007 Convertible Bonds were due on April 24, 2014 and have been fully paid by the Group at maturity.

 
The changes in the fair value of the derivative component from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and from December 31, 2013 to April 24, 2014 resulted in an unrealized gain of RMB 114 and a realized loss of RMB1, respectively, which has been recorded under “finance costs” in the consolidated statement of income.

 
The initial carrying amount of the liability component of the 2007 Convertible Bonds is the residual amount, which is after deducting the allocated issuance cost of the 2007 Convertible Bonds relating to the liability component and the fair value of the derivative component as of April 24, 2007. Interest expense is calculated using the effective interest method by applying the effective interest rate of 4.19% to the adjusted liability component.

(iv)
On February 26, 2008, the Company issued bonds with stock warrants due 2014 with an aggregate principal amount of RMB 30,000 in the PRC (the “Bonds with Warrants”). The Bonds with Warrants, which bear a fixed interest rate of 0.80% per annum payable annually, were issued at par value of RMB 100. The Bonds with Warrants are guaranteed by Sinopec Group Company.

 
The initial recognition of the liability component of the Bond with Warrants is measured at the present value of the future interest and principal payments, discounted at the market rate of interest applicable at the time of initial recognition to similar liabilities that do not have a conversion option. Interest expense is calculated using the effective interest method by applying the market interest rate of 5.40% to the liability component. On March 4, 2010, warrants of the bonds have already expired.

 
The Bonds with Warrants were due on February 20, 2014 and have been fully paid by the Group at maturity.

(v)
On March 1, 2011, the Company issued convertible bonds due 2017 with an aggregate principal amount of RMB 23,000 in the PRC (the “2011 Convertible Bonds”). The 2011 Convertible Bonds were issued at par value of RMB 100 and bear a fixed interest rate of 0.5% per annum for the first year, 0.7% for the second year, 1.0% for the third year, 1.3% for the fourth year, 1.8% for the fifth year and 2.0% for the sixth year, payable annually. The holders can convert the 2011 Convertible Bonds into shares of the Company from August 24, 2011 onwards at an initial conversion price of RMB 9.73 per share, subject to adjustment for, amongst other things, cash dividends, subdivision or consolidation of shares, bonus issues, issue of new shares, rights issues, capital distribution, change of control and other events which have an effect on the issued share capital of the Company (“the Conversion Option”). Unless previously redeemed, converted or purchased and cancelled, the 2011 Convertible Bonds will be redeemed within 5 trading days after maturity at 107% of the principal amount, including interest for the sixth year. The initial carrying amounts of the liability component and the derivative component, representing the Conversion Option of the 2011 Convertible Bonds, were RMB 19,279 and RMB 3,610, respectively.


 
F-41

 

 
 
During the term of the 2011 Convertible Bonds, the conversion price may be subject to downward adjustment that if the closing prices of the Company’s A Shares in any fifteen trading days out of any thirty consecutive trading days are lower than 80% of the prevailing conversion price, the board of directors may propose downward adjustment to the conversion price subject to the shareholders’ approval. The adjusted conversion price shall be not less than (a) the average trading price of the Company’s A Shares for the twenty trading days prior to the shareholders’ approval, (b) the average trading price of the Company’s A Shares on the day immediately before the shareholders’ approval, (c) the net asset value per share based on the latest audited financial statements prepared under ASBE, and (d) the nominal value per share.

 
During the term of the 2011 Convertible Bonds, if the closing price of the A Shares of the Company is not lower than 130% of the conversion price in at least 15 trading days out of any 30 consecutive trading days, the Company has the right to redeem all or part of the 2011 Convertible Bonds based on the nominal value plus the accrued interest ("the terms of conditional redemption").

 
As of December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of the liability component and the derivative component were RMB 13,433 and RMB 3,288, respectively.

 
As of December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the liability component and the derivative component, were RMB 20,913 and RMB 548 respectively.

 
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the conversion price of the 2011 Convertible Bonds was adjusted to RMB 4.89 per share as a result of cash dividends, bonus issues and capitalization.

 
During the year ended December 31, 2011, RMB 328 thousand of the 2011 Convertible Bonds were converted into 34,662 A shares of the Company.

 
During the year ended December 31, 2012, RMB 857,033 thousand of the 2011 Convertible Bonds were converted into 117,724,450 A shares of the Company.

 
During the year ended December 31, 2013, RMB 725 thousand of the 2011 Convertible Bonds were converted into 114,076 A shares of the Company.

 
During the year ended December 31, 2014, RMB 8,442 of the 2011 Convertible Bonds were converted into 1,715,081,853 A shares of the Company.

 
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the fair value of the derivative component of the 2011 Convertible Bonds was calculated using the Binomial Model. The followings are the major inputs used in the Binomial Model:

 
2013
 
2014
       
Stock price of A shares
RMB 4.48
 
RMB 6.49
Conversion price
RMB 5.13
 
RMB 4.89
Credit spread
95 basis points
 
133 basis points
RMB onshore swap rate
5.23%
 
3.40%

 
Any change in the major inputs into the Binomial Model will result in changes in the fair value of the derivative component. The changes in the fair value of the derivative component from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013 resulted in an unrealized gain of RMB 1,914, and from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 resulted in a realized loss of RMB 1,613 and an unrealized loss of RMB 2,997, respectively, which have been recorded in the “finance costs” section of the consolidated statement of income.

 
The initial carrying amount of the liability component of the 2011 Convertible Bonds is the residual amount, after deducting the allocated issuance cost of the 2011 Convertible Bonds relating to the liability component and the fair value of the derivative component as of March 1, 2011. Interest expense is calculated using the effective interest method by applying the effective interest rate of 5.10% to the adjusted liability component.


 
F-42

 

 
 
As of January 26, 2015, the terms of conditional redemption of 2011 Convertible Bonds of the Company have been triggered for the first time. At the 22nd meeting of the fifth session of the board of the Company (the “Board”), the Board has reviewed and approved the proposal for the redemption of 2011 Convertible Bonds, and decided to exercise the right of redemption and to redeem all of the outstanding 2011 Convertible Bonds registered on February 11, 2015.

 
From January 1, 2015 to February 11, 2015, the 2011 Convertible Bonds with a total value of RMB 13,647 were converted into 2,790,814,006 A shares of the Company. As of  February 11, 2015, the total share capital of the Company has been increased to 121,071,209,646 shares. The unconverted convertible bonds amounted to RMB 52.78 (527,760 convertible bonds).

 
As of February 17, 2015, the Company has redeemed and fully paid the unconverted portion at RMB 101.261 per convertible bond (including the accrued interest and interest tax accrued thereon).

25
TRADE ACCOUNTS AND BILLS PAYABLE

   
December 31,
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Amounts due to third parties
    192,082       181,519  
Amounts due to Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    8,114       13,575  
Amounts due to associates and joint ventures
    2,528       3,272  
      202,724       198,366  
Bills payable
    4,526       4,577  
Trade accounts and bills payable measured at amortized cost
    207,250       202,943  
                 
26.
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES

   
December 31,
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Salaries and welfare payable
    818       839  
Interest payable
    2,290       1,695  
Other payables
    78,003       83,047  
Financial liabilities carried at amortized costs
    81,111       85,581  
Taxes other than income tax
    32,792       27,586  
Receipts in advance
    81,079       89,918  
Derivative financial instruments
    2,624       18,990  
      197,606       222,075  
                 
27.
PROVISIONS

Provisions primarily represent provision for future dismantlement costs of oil and gas properties. The Group has committed to the local government to establish certain standardized measures for the dismantlement of its oil and gas properties by making reference to the industry practices and is therefore constructively obligated to take dismantlement measures of its oil and gas properties.

Movement of provision of the Group’s obligations for the dismantlement of its oil and gas properties is as follows:

 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Balance as of January 1
    18,317       21,525       26,004  
Provision for the year
    2,833       4,188       3,309  
Accretion expenses
    856       877       1,008  
Utilized
    (480 )     (561 )     (714 )
Exchange adjustments
    (1 )     (25 )     6  
Balance as of December 31
    21,525       26,004       29,613  
                         
 
 
F-43

 

 
28.
SHARE CAPITAL

   
December 31,
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Registered, issued and fully paid
           
92,766,957,040 listed A shares (2013: 91,051,875,187) of RMB 1.00 each
    91,052       92,767  
25,513,438,600 listed H shares (2013: 25,513,438,600) of RMB 1.00 each
    25,513       25,513  
      116,565       118,280  
                 
The Company was established on February 25, 2000 with a registered capital of 68.8 billion domestic state-owned shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each. Such shares were issued to Sinopec Group Company in consideration for the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Operations transferred to the Company (Note 1).

Pursuant to the resolutions passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on July 25, 2000 and approvals from relevant government authorities, the Company is authorized to increase its share capital to a maximum of 88.3 billion shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each and offer not more than 19.5 billion shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each to investors outside the PRC. Sinopec Group Company is authorized to offer not more than 3.5 billion shares of its shareholdings in the Company to investors outside the PRC. The shares sold by Sinopec Group Company to investors outside the PRC would be converted into H shares.
 
In October 2000, the Company issued 15,102,439,000 H shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each, representing 12,521,864,000 H shares and 25,805,750 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”, each representing 100 H shares), at prices of HK$ 1.59 per H share and US$ 20.645 per ADS, respectively, by way of a global initial public offering to Hong Kong and overseas investors. As part of the global initial public offering, 1,678,049,000 domestic state-owned ordinary shares of RMB 1.00 each owned by Sinopec Group Company were converted into H shares and sold to Hong Kong and overseas investors.

In July 2001, the Company issued 2.8 billion listed A shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each at RMB 4.22 by way of a public offering to natural persons and institutional investors in the PRC.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued 34,662 listed A shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each, as a result of conversion by the holders of the 2011 Convertible Bonds.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 117,724,450 listed A shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each, as a result of conversion by the holders of the 2011 Convertible Bonds.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company issued 114,076 listed A shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each, as a result of conversion by the holders of the 2011 Convertible Bonds. (Note 24(v)).

On February 14, 2013, the Company issued 2,845,234,000 listed H shares (“the Placing”) with a par value of RMB 1.00 each at the Placing Price of HK$ 8.45 per share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the Placing amounted to approximately HK$ 24,042,227,300 and the aggregate net proceeds (after deduction of the commissions and estimated expenses) amounted to approximately HK$ 23,970,100,618.

In June 2013, the Company issued 21,011,962,225 listed A shares and 5,887,716,600 listed H shares as a result of bonus issues of 2 shares converted from the retained earnings pursuant to the shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting on May 29, 2013, and 1 share transferred from the share premium for every 10 existing shares.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued 1,715,081,853 listed A shares with a par value of RMB 1.00 each, as a result of conversion by the holders of the 2011 Convertible Bonds.

All A shares and H shares rank pari passu in all material aspects.

Capital management

Management optimizes the structure of the Group’s capital, which comprises of equity and loans. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure of the Group, management may cause the Group to issue new shares, adjust the capital expenditure plan, sell assets to reduce debt, or adjust the proportion of short-term and long-

 
 
F-44

 

 
term loans. Management monitors capital on the basis of debt-to-capital ratio, which is calculated by dividing long-term loans (excluding current portion, including long-term debts and loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries), by the total equity attributable to owners of the Company and long-term loans (excluding current portion), and liability-to-asset ratio, which is calculated by dividing total liabilities by total assets. Management’s strategy is to make appropriate adjustments according to the Group’s operating and investment needs and the changes of market conditions, and to maintain the debt-to-capital ratio and the liability-to-asset ratio of the Group at a range considered reasonable. The debt-to-capital ratio of the Group was 20.4% and 20.3% as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The liability-to-asset ratio of the Group was 55.1% and 55.5% as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The schedules of the contractual maturities of loans and commitments are disclosed in Notes 24 and 30, respectively.

There were no changes in the management’s approach to capital management of the Group during the year. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries are subject to externally imposed capital requirements.


 
F-45

 

 
29.
RESERVES

 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Capital reserve (Note (a))
           
Balance as of January 1
    (33,307 )     (33,713 )
Contribution to subsidiaries from non-controlling interests
    600        
Non-tradable shares reform
    (986 )      
Acquisitions of non-controlling interests of subsidiaries
    (20 )      
Transaction with non-controlling interests (Note 34 (iii))
          3,216  
Balance as of December 31
    (33,713 )     (30,497 )
                 
Share premium (Note (b))
               
Balance as of January 1
    25,752       33,347  
Conversion of the 2011 Convertible Bonds (Note 24(v))
    1       8,477  
Rights issue of Hshares, net of issuance costs(Note28)
    16,561        
Capitalization(Note28)
    (8,967 )      
Balance as of December 31
    33,347       41,824  
                 
Statutory surplus reserve (Note (c))
               
Balance as of January 1
    67,603       73,337  
Appropriation
    5,734       3,215  
Balance as of December 31
    73,337       76,552  
                 
Discretionary surplus reserve
               
Balance as of January 1
    117,000       117,000  
Appropriation
           
Balance as of December 31
    117,000       117,000  
                 
Other reserves
               
Balance as of January 1
    3,305       2,491  
Other comprehensive income
    1,180       (7,668 )
Others (Note (g))
    (1,994 )     (1,002 )
Balance as of December 31
    2,491       (6,179 )
                 
Retained earnings (Note (d))
               
Balance as of January 1
    243,741       259,776  
Net income attributable to owners of the Company
    66,132       46,466  
Final dividend inspect of the previous year, approved and paid during the year (Note (e))
    (17,933 )     (17,519 )
Interim dividend (Note (f))
    (10,491 )     (10,512 )
Appropriation
    (5,734 )     (3,215 )
Bonus issues(Note 28)
    (17,933 )      
Others (Note (g))
    1,994       1,065  
Balance as of December 31
    259,776       276,061  
      452,238       474,761  
                 
Note:

(a)
The capital reserve represents (i) the difference between the total amount of the par value of shares issued and the amount of the net assets transferred from Sinopec Group Company in connection with the Reorganization, and (ii) the difference between the consideration paid over the amount of the net assets of entities and related operations acquired from Sinopec Group Company and non-controlling interests.

(b)
The application of the share premium account is governed by Sections 167 and 168 of the PRC Company Law.

(c)
According to the Company’s Articles of Association, the Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income in accordance with the PRC accounting policies complying with Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises (“ASBE”),  adopted by the Group to statutory surplus reserve. In the event that the reserve balance reaches 50% of the registered capital, no transfer is needed. The transfer to this reserve must be made before distribution of a dividend to shareholders. Statutory surplus reserve can be used to make good previous years’ losses, if any, and may be converted into share capital by the issue of new shares to shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital.

 
 
F-46

 
 

 
During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company transferred RMB 6,340, RMB 5,734 and RMB 3,215, respectively, being 10% of the net income determined in accordance with the PRC accounting policies complying with ASBE, to this reserve.

(d)
According to the Company’s Articles of Association, the amount of retained earnings available for distribution to owners of the Company is the lower of the amount determined in accordance with the accounting policies complying with ASBE and the amount determined in accordance with the accounting policies complying with IFRS. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the amount of retained earnings available for distribution was RMB 164,698 and RMB 166,481, respectively, being the amount determined in accordance with the accounting policies complying with IFRS.

 
Pursuant to a resolution passed at the director’s meeting on March 20, 2015, final dividends in respect of the year ended December 31, 2014 of RMB 0.11 per share totaling RMB 13,318 were proposed for shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting. Final cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2014 proposed after the balance sheet date has not been recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date.

(e)
Pursuant to the shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting on May 29, 2013, a final dividend of RMB 0.20 per share totaling RMB 17,933, and with bonus issues of 2 shares converted from the retained earnings and 1 share transferred from the share premium for every 10 existing shares in respect of the year ended December 31, 2012 was declared and cash dividends were paid on June 25, 2013.

 
Pursuant to the shareholders’ approval at the Annual General Meeting on May 9, 2014, a final dividend of RMB 0.15 per share totaling RMB 17,519 in respect of the year ended December 31, 2013 was declared and paid on June 19, 2014.

(f)
Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association and a resolution passed at the Directors’ meeting on August 23, 2013, the directors authorized to declare an interim dividend for the year ended December 31, 2013 of RMB 0.09 per share totaling RMB 10,491.

 
Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Association and a resolution passed at the Directors’ meeting on August 22, 2014, the directors authorized to declare an interim dividend for the year ended December 31, 2014 of RMB 0.09 per share totaling RMB 10,512.

(g)
According to relevant PRC regulations, the Group is required to transfer an amount to other reserves for the safety production fund based on the turnover of certain refining and chemicals products or based on the production volume of crude oil and natural gas. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Group transferred RMB 435 from retained earnings to other reserves for the safety production fund, and transferred RMB 1,994 and RMB 1,065 from other reserves to retained earnings during the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 for the safety production fund.

30.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Operating lease commitments

The Group leases land and buildings, service stations and other equipment through non-cancellable operating leases. These operating leases do not contain provisions for contingent lease rentals. None of the rental agreements contain escalation provisions that may require higher future rental payments.


 
F-47

 

 
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Within one year
    13,507       13,909  
Between one and two years
    13,064       13,480  
Between two and three years
    12,850       13,113  
Between three and four years
    12,742       12,984  
Between four and five years
    12,656       13,063  
Thereafter
    307,268       297,425  
      372,087       363,974  
                 
Capital commitments

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, capital commitments are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Authorized and contracted for (i)
    181,428       138,795  
Authorized but not contracted for
    111,169       102,386  
      292,597       241,181  
                 
These capital commitments relate to oil and gas exploration and development, refining and petrochemical production capacity expansion projects, the construction of service stations and oil depots and investment commitments.

Note

(i)
The investment commitments for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 of the Group were RMB 4,993 and RMB 4,030, respectively.

Commitments to joint ventures
 
Pursuant to certain of the joint venture agreements entered into by the Group, the Group is obliged to purchase products from the joint ventures at market prices.
 
Exploration and production licenses

Exploration licenses for exploration activities in the PRC are registered with the Ministry of Land and Resources. The maximum term of the Group’s exploration licenses is 7 years, and may be renewed twice within 30 days prior to expiration of the original term with each renewal being for a two-year term. The Group is obligated to make progressive annual exploration investment relating to the exploration blocks in respect of which the license is issued. The Ministry of Land and Resources also issues production licenses to the Group on the basis of the reserve reports approved by relevant authorities. The maximum term of a full production license is 30 years unless a special dispensation is given by the State Council. The maximum term of production licenses issued to the Group is 80 years as a special dispensation was given to the Group by the State Council. The Group’s production license is renewable upon application by the Group 30 days prior to expiration.

The Group is required to make payments of exploration license fees and production right usage fees to the Ministry of Land and Resources annually which are expensed. Payments incurred were approximately RMB 424, RMB 404 and RMB 408 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
 

 
F-48

 
 
 
Estimated future annual payments are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Within one year
    318       312  
Between one and two years
    140       160  
Between two and three years
    38       32  
Between three and four years
    24       22  
Between four and five years
    19       19  
Thereafter
    835       811  
      1,374       1,356  
                 
Contingent liabilities

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, guarantees in respect of facilities granted to the parties below were as follows:

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Joint ventures
    438       168  
Others
    5,425       5,552  
      5,863       5,720  
                 
Management monitors the conditions that are subject to the guarantees to identify whether it is probable that a loss has occurred, and recognizes any such losses under guarantees when those losses are estimable. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, it is not probable that the Group will be required to make payments under the guarantees. Thus no liability has been accrued for the Group’s obligation under these guarantee arrangements.

Environmental contingencies

Under existing legislation, management believes that there are no probable liabilities that will have a material adverse effect on the financial position or operating results of the Group. The PRC government, however, has moved, and may move further towards more rigorous enforcement of applicable laws, and towards the adoption of more stringent environmental standards. Environmental liabilities are subject to considerable uncertainties which affect management’s ability to estimate the ultimate cost of remediation efforts. These uncertainties include i) the exact nature and extent of the contamination at various sites including, but not limited to refineries, oil fields, service stations, terminals and land development areas, whether operating, closed or sold, ii) the extent of required cleanup efforts, iii) varying costs of alternative remediation strategies, iv) changes in environmental remediation requirements, and v) the identification of new remediation sites. The amount of such future cost is indeterminable due to such factors as the unknown magnitude of possible contamination and the unknown timing and extent of the corrective actions that may be required. Accordingly, the outcome of environmental liabilities under proposed or future environmental legislation cannot reasonably be estimated at present, and could be material. The Group paid normal routine pollutant discharge fees of approximately RMB 4,813, RMB 5,154 and RMB 5,352 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Legal contingencies

The Group is a defendant in certain lawsuits as well as the named party in other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management has assessed the likelihood of an unfavourable outcome of such contingencies, lawsuits or other proceedings and believes that any resulting liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, operating results or cash flows of the Group.

 
 
F-49

 
 
 
31.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Parties are considered to be related to the Group if the Group has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control or jointly control the party or exercise significant influence over the party in making financial and operating decisions, or vice versa, or where the Group and the party are subject to control or common control. Related parties may be individuals (being members of key management personnel, significant shareholders and / or their close family members) or other entities and include entities which are under the significant influence of related parties of the Group where those parties are individuals, and post-employment benefit plans which are for the benefit of employees of the Group or of any entity that is a related party of the Group.

(a)
Transactions with Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

The Group is part of a larger group of companies under Sinopec Group Company, which is controlled by the PRC government, and has significant transactions and relationships with Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries. Because of these relationships, it is possible that the terms of these transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties.

The principal related party transactions with Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, which were carried out in the ordinary course of business.

       
 
Years ended December 31,
 
   
Note
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
       
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Sales of goods
 
(i)
    313,919       318,092       305,044  
Purchases
 
(ii)
    129,005       141,316       134,424  
Transportation and storage
 
(iii)
    1,590       1,639       1,606  
Exploration and development services
 
(iv)
    48,831       52,814       49,399  
Production related services
 
(v)
    11,893       13,235       10,306  
Ancillary and social services
 
(vi)
    4,062       6,755       6,753  
Operating lease charges
 
(vii)
    7,408       11,116       11,302  
Agency commission income
 
(viii)
    154       185       132  
Interest income
 
(ix)
    116       89       135  
Interest expense
 
(x)
    1,228       1,802       1,421  
Net deposits withdrawn from / (placed with) related parties
 
(ix)
    3,108       (2,528 )     2,319  
Net loans obtained from related parties
 
(xi)
    30,805       11,903       53,690  

The amounts set out in the table above in respect of each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 represent the relevant costs and income as determined by the corresponding contracts with the related parties.

There were no guarantees given to banks by the Group in respect of banking facilities to related parties as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, except for the guarantees disclosed in Note 30.

The directors of the Company are of the opinion that the above transactions with related parties were conducted in the ordinary course of business and on normal commercial terms or in accordance with the agreements governing such transactions, and this has been confirmed by the independent non-executive directors.

Notes:

(i)
Sales of goods represent the sale of crude oil, intermediate petrochemical products, petroleum products and ancillary materials.

(ii)
Purchases represent the purchase of materials and utility supplies directly related to the Group’s operations such as the procurement of raw and ancillary materials and related services, supply of water, electricity and gas.

(iii)
Transportation and storage represent the cost for the use of railway, road and marine transportation services, pipelines, loading, unloading and storage facilities.


 
F-50

 
 
 
(iv)
Exploration and development services comprise direct costs incurred in the exploration and development such as geophysical, drilling, well testing and well measurement services.

(v)
Production related services represent ancillary services rendered in relation to the Group’s operations such as equipment repair and general maintenance, insurance premium, technical research, communications, fire fighting, security, product quality testing and analysis, information technology, design and engineering, construction of oilfield ground facilities, refineries and chemical plants, manufacture of replacement parts and machinery, installation, project management and environmental protection.

(vi)
Ancillary and social services represent expenditures for social welfare and support services such as educational facilities, media communication services, sanitation, accommodation, canteens, property maintenance and management services.

(vii)
Operating lease charges represent the rental paid to Sinopec Group Company for operating leases in respect of land, buildings and equipment.

(viii)
Agency commission income represents commission earned for acting as an agent in respect of sales of products and purchase of materials for certain entities owned by Sinopec Group Company.

(ix)
Interest income represents interest received from deposits placed with Sinopec Finance Company Limited and Sinopec Century Bright Capital Investment Limited, finance companies controlled by Sinopec Group Company. The applicable interest rate is determined in accordance with the prevailing saving deposit rate. The balance of deposits as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 were RMB 6,540 and RMB 4,221, respectively.

(x)
Interest expense represents interest charges on the loans and advances obtained from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries.

(xi)
The Group obtained or repaid loans from or to Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries.

In connection with the Reorganization, the Company and Sinopec Group Company entered into a number of agreements under which 1) Sinopec Group Company will provide goods and products and a range of ancillary, social and supporting services to the Group and 2) the Group will sell certain goods to Sinopec Group Company. These agreements impacted the operating results of the Group for the year ended December 31, 2014. The terms of these agreements are summarized as follows:
 
The Company has entered into a non-exclusive Agreement for Mutual Provision of Products and Ancillary Services (“Mutual Provision Agreement”) with Sinopec Group Company effective from January 1, 2000 in which Sinopec Group Company has agreed to provide the Group with certain ancillary production services, construction services, information advisory services, supply services and other services and products. While each of Sinopec Group Company and the Company is permitted to terminate the Mutual Provision Agreement upon giving at least six months notice, Sinopec Group Company has agreed not to terminate the agreement if the Group is unable to obtain comparable services from a third party. The pricing policy for these services and products provided by Sinopec Group Company to the Group is as follows:

 
(1)
the government-prescribed price;

 
(2)
where there is no government-prescribed price, the government-guidance price;

 
(3)
where there is neither a government-prescribed price nor a government-guidance price, the market price; or

 
(4)
where none of the above is applicable, the price to be agreed between the parties, which shall be based on a reasonable cost incurred in providing such services plus a profit margin not exceeding 6%.

The Company has entered into a non-exclusive Agreement for Provision of Cultural and Educational, Health Care and Community Services with Sinopec Group Company effective from January 1, 2000 in which Sinopec Group Company has agreed to provide the Group with certain cultural, educational, health care and community services on the same pricing terms and termination conditions as described in the above Mutual Provision Agreement.

The Company has entered into a series of lease agreements with Sinopec Group Company to lease certain lands and buildings effective on January 1, 2000. The lease term is 40 or 50 years for lands and 20 years for buildings, respectively. The Company and Sinopec Group Company can renegotiate the rental amount every three years for land. The Company and Sinopec Group Company can renegotiate the rental amount for buildings every year. However such amount cannot exceed the market price as determined by an independent third party.

 
 
F-51

 
 
 
The Company has entered into agreements with Sinopec Group Company effective from January 1, 2000 under which the Group has been granted the right to use certain trademarks, patents, technology and computer software developed by Sinopec Group Company.

The Company has entered into a service stations franchise agreement with Sinopec Group Company effective from January 1, 2000 under which its service stations and retail stores would exclusively sell the refined products supplied by the Group.

Pursuant to the resolutions passed at the Directors’ meeting held on October 31, 2014, the Group acquired the equity interests of YASREF from Sinopec Group Company. The acquisition has been completed in 2014 (Note 19).

Pursuant to the Share Repurchase Agreement and Disposal Agreement by the Company and Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Company Limited (Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd.) on September 12, 2014, Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd repurchased and cancelled the 40.25% of its equity interests held by the Company in exchange for the transfer of its outgoing business to the Company and issued shares to Sinopec Group Company for the acquisition of 100% equity Interest of Sinopec Oilfield Service Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sinopec Group Company). These transactions were completed in December 2014 (Note 34).

Pursuant to the resolutions passed at the Directors’ meeting held on March 22, 2013, the Group acquired the equity interests of CIR, Taihu and Mansarovar from Sinopec Group Company. The acquisition was completed in 2013 (Note 19).

Amounts due from / to Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures included in the following accounts captions are summarized as follows:

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Trade accounts receivable
    18,402       25,478  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,276       3,564  
Long-term prepayment and other assets
    11,378       14,935  
Total
    32,056       43,977  
                 
Trade accounts payable
    10,642       16,847  
Accrued expenses and other payables
    22,369       24,711  
Other long-term liabilities
    4,102       6,470  
Short-term loans and current portion of long-term loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    54,064       102,965  
Long-term loans excluding current portion from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    38,356       43,145  
Total
    129,533       194,138  
                 
Amounts due from / to Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, other than short-term loans and long-term loans, bear no interest, are unsecured and are repayable in accordance with normal commercial terms. The terms and conditions associated with short-term loans and long-term loans payable to Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries are set out in Note 24.

The long-term borrowings mainly include an interest-free loan with a maturity period of 20 years amounting to RMB 35,560 from the Sinopec Group Company (a state-owned enterprise) through the Sinopec Finance. This borrowing is a special arrangement to reduce financing costs and improve liquidity of the Company during its initial global offering in 2000.


 
F-52

 

 
As of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, no individually significant impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts were recognized in respect of amounts due from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

(b)
Key management personnel emoluments

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly, including directors and supervisors of the Group. The key management personnel compensation is as follows:

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB’000
   
RMB’000
   
RMB’000
 
Short-term employee benefits
    8,990       8,152       8,009  
Retirement scheme contributions
    478       480       501  
      9,468       8,632       8,510  
                         
(c)
Contributions to defined contribution retirement plans

The Group participates in various defined contribution retirement plans organized by municipal and provincial governments for its staff. The details of the Group’s employee benefits plan are disclosed in Note 32. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the accrual for the contribution to post-employment benefit plans was not material.

(d)
Transactions with other state-controlled entities in the PRC

The Group is a state-controlled energy and chemical enterprise and operates in an economic regime currently dominated by entities directly or indirectly controlled by the PRC government through its government authorities, agencies, affiliations and other organizations (collectively referred as “state-controlled entities”).

Apart from transactions with Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, the Group has transactions with other state-controlled entities include but not limited to the following:

 
·
sales and purchase of goods and ancillary materials;
 
·
rendering and receiving services;
 
·
lease of assets;
 
·
depositing and borrowing money; and
 
·
use of public utilities.

These transactions are conducted in the ordinary course of the Group’s business on terms comparable to those with other entities that are not state-controlled.

32.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLAN

As stipulated by the regulations of the PRC, the Group participates in various defined contribution retirement plans organized by municipal and provincial governments for its staff. The Group is required to make contributions to the retirement plans at rates ranging from 18.0% to 23.0% of the salaries, bonuses and certain allowances of its staff. In addition, the Group provides a supplementary retirement plan for its staff at rates not exceeding 5% of the salaries. The Group has no other material obligation for the payment of pension benefits associated with these plans beyond the annual contributions described above. The Group’s contributions for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were RMB 6,603, RMB 7,259 and RMB 7,634, respectively.


 
F-53

 

 
33.
SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment information is presented in respect of the Group’s business segments. The format is based on the Group’s management and internal reporting structure.

In a manner consistent with the way in which information is reported internally to the Group’s chief operating decision maker for the purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, the Group has identified the following five reportable segments. No operating segments have been aggregated to form the following reportable segments.

 
(i)
Exploration and production, which explores and develops oil fields, produces crude oil and natural gas and sells such products to the refining segment of the Group and external customers.

 
(ii)
Refining, which processes and purifies crude oil, that is sourced from the exploration and production segment of the Group and external suppliers, and manufactures and sells petroleum products to the chemicals and marketing and distribution segments of the Group and external customers.
 
 
(iii)
Marketing and distribution, which owns and operates oil depots and service stations in the PRC, and distributes and sells refined petroleum products (mainly gasoline and diesel) in the PRC through wholesale and retail sales networks.
 
 
(iv)
Chemicals, which manufactures and sells petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products and other chemical products mainly to external customers.

 
(v)
Corporate and others, which largely comprise the trading activities of the import and export companies of the Group and research and development undertaken by other subsidiaries.

The segments were determined primarily because the Group manages its exploration and production, refining, marketing and distribution, chemicals, and corporate and others businesses separately. The reportable segments are each managed separately because they manufacture and/ or distribute distinct products with different production processes and due to their distinct operating and gross margin characteristics.
 
(1)
Information of reportable segmental revenues, profits or losses, assets and liabilities
 
The Group’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance and allocates resources to its operating segments on an operating income basis, without considering the effects of finance costs or investment income. Inter-segment transfer pricing is based on the market price or cost plus an appropriate margin, as specified by the Group’s policy.

Assets and liabilities dedicated to a particular segment’s operations are included in that segment’s total assets and liabilities. Segment assets include all tangible and intangible assets, except for interest in associates and joint ventures, investments, deferred tax assets, cash and cash equivalents, time deposits with financial institutions and other unallocated assets. Segment liabilities exclude short-term, income tax payable, long-term debts, loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, deferred tax liabilities and other unallocated liabilities.


 
F-54

 

 
Information on the Group’s reportable segments is as follows:

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Sales of goods
                 
Exploration and production
                 
External sales
    53,738       60,848       69,550  
Inter-segment sales
    174,571       158,618       141,544  
      228,309       219,466       211,094  
Refining
                       
External sales
    193,464       194,469       175,534  
Inter-segment sales
    1,071,387       1,111,004       1,092,244  
      1,264,851       1,305,473       1,267,778  
Marketing and distribution
                       
External sales
    1,453,541       1,486,037       1,458,390  
Inter-segment sales
    9,638       6,330       5,446  
      1,463,179       1,492,367       1,463,836  
Chemicals
                       
External sales
    356,150       374,097       356,993  
Inter-segment sales
    48,226       55,999       62,208  
      404,376       430,096       419,201  
Corporate and others
                       
External sales
    676,725       717,796       721,174  
Inter-segment sales
    635,046       640,224       587,663  
      1,311,771       1,358,020       1,308,837  
Elimination of inter-segment sales
    (1,938,868 )     (1,972,175 )     (1,889,105 )
Sales of goods
    2,733,618       2,833,247       2,781,641  
                         
Other operating revenues
                       
Exploration and production
    28,876       22,641       16,503  
Refining
    6,061       5,796       5,317  
Marketing and distribution
    8,703       10,047       12,770  
Chemicals
    7,588       7,491       8,284  
Corporate and others
    1,199       1,089       1,399  
Other operating revenues
    52,427       47,064       44,273  
                         
Sales of goods and other operating revenues
    2,786,045       2,880,311       2,825,914  
                         
 
 
F-55

 


   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
Result
 
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating income / (loss)
                 
By segment
                 
- Exploration and production
    70,054       54,793       47,057  
- Refining
    (11,444 )     8,599       (1,954 )
- Marketing and distribution
    42,652       35,143       29,449  
- Chemicals
    1,178       868       (2,181 )
- Corporate and others
    (2,443 )     (3,412 )     (1,063 )
- Elimination
    (1,335 )     794       2,179  
Total segment operating income
    98,662       96,785       73,487  
Income / (loss) from associates and joint ventures
                       
- Exploration and production
    301       358       1,117  
- Refining
    (934 )     (486 )     (871 )
- Marketing and distribution
    1,034       794       963  
- Chemicals
    408       418       603  
- Corporate and others
    817       1,275       1,818  
Aggregate income from associates and joint ventures
    1,626       2,359       3,630  
Investment income
                       
- Exploration and production
    1       8       1  
- Refining
    75       11       17  
- Marketing and distribution
    131       93       71  
- Chemicals
    14             208  
- Corporate and others
    14       42       2,319  
Aggregate investment income
    235       154       2,616  
Net finance costs
    (9,881 )     (4,246 )     (14,229 )
Earnings before income tax
    90,642       95,052       65,504  
                         
 
 
F-56

 


   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Assets
                 
Segment assets
                 
- Exploration and production
    368,587       406,237       453,060  
- Refining
    309,204       329,236       297,884  
- Marketing and distribution
    261,724       273,872       276,298  
- Chemicals
    145,867       156,373       162,685  
- Corporate and others
    100,517       107,197       147,015  
Total segment assets
    1,185,899       1,272,915       1,336,942  
                         
Interest in associates and joint ventures
    50,200       75,318       80,593  
Available-for-sale financial assets
    2,001       3,730       868  
Deferred tax assets
    5,539       4,141       6,979  
Cash and cash equivalents and time deposits with financial institutions
    10,864       15,101       10,100  
Other unallocated assets
    3,441       11,711       15,886  
Total assets
    1,257,944       1,382,916       1,451,368  
                         
Liabilities
                       
Segment liabilities
                       
- Exploration and production
    90,430       104,233       100,552  
- Refining
    62,271       69,029       67,327  
- Marketing and distribution
    87,785       101,564       118,493  
- Chemicals
    30,100       23,670       27,532  
- Corporate and others
    139,811       129,816       138,930  
Total segment liabilities
    410,397       428,312       452,834  
                         
Short-term debts
    73,063       109,806       75,183  
Income tax payable
    6,045       3,096       1,091  
Long-term debts
    124,518       107,234       107,787  
Loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    80,517       92,420       146,110  
Deferred tax liabilities
    7,294       7,977       7,820  
Other unallocated liabilities
    8,074       12,445       14,966  
Total liabilities
    709,908       761,290       805,791  
                         


 
F-57

 

 
Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the year to acquire segment assets that are expected to be used for more than one year.

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Capital expenditure
                 
Exploration and production
    78,272       105,311       80,196  
Refining
    32,161       26,064       27,957  
Marketing and distribution
    27,232       29,486       26,989  
Chemicals
    18,996       19,189       15,850  
Corporate and others
    2,061       5,076       3,648  
      158,722       185,126       154,640  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
                       
Exploration and production
    39,283       44,126       48,902  
Refining
    12,270       13,859       15,015  
Marketing and distribution
    8,792       11,127       12,491  
Chemicals
    8,883       10,757       12,130  
Corporate and others
    1,228       1,396       1,559  
      70,456       81,265       90,097  
Impairment losses on long-lived assets
                       
Exploration and production
    1,006       2,523       2,436  
Refining
          88       29  
Marketing and distribution
    8       35       40  
Chemicals
                1,106  
Corporate and others
          15       8  
      1,014       2,661       3,619  
                         

(2)       Geographical information

The following tables set out information about the geographical information of (i) the Group’s external sales and (ii) the Group’s non-current assets, excluding financial instruments and deferred tax assets. In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of customers, and segment assets are based on the geographical location of the assets.

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
External sales
                 
Mainland China
    2,088,043       2,107,202       2,062,775  
Others
    698,002       773,109       763,139  
      2,786,045       2,880,311       2,825,914  
       
   
December 31,
 
 
    2012       2013       2014  
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Non-current assets
                       
Mainland China
    862,044       941,046       1,003,521  
Others
    22,123       51,181       64,589  
      884,167       992,227       1,068,110  
                         

 
 
F-58

 

 
34.
PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES

As of December 31, 2014, the following list contains the particulars of subsidiaries which principally affected the results, assets and liabilities of the Group.

Name of company
 
Particulars of issued capital
 
Interests held by the Company
   
Interests held by non-controlling
 
Principal activities
China Petrochemical International Company Limited
 
RMB 1,400
    100.00        
Trading of petrochemical products
Sinopec Marketing Co., Ltd. ("Marketing Company") (i)
 
RMB 20,000
    100.00        
Marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products
Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Company Limited
 
RMB 13,203
    100.00        
Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products
Fujian Petrochemical Company Limited ("Fujian Petrochemical") (ii)
 
RMB 5,745
    50.00       50.00  
Manufacturing of plastics, intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products
Sinopec Shell (Jiangsu) Petroleum Marketing Company Limited
 
RMB 830
    60.00       40.00  
Marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products
BP Sinopec (Zhejiang) Petroleum Company Limited
 
RMB 800
    60.00       40.00  
Marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products
Sinopec Qingdao Refining and Chemical Company Limited
 
RMB 5,000
    85.00       15.00  
Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products
China International United Petroleum and Chemical Company Limited
 
RMB 3,000
    100.00        
Trading of crude oil and petrochemical products
Sinopec Senmei (Fujian) Petroleum Limited
 
RMB 1,840
    55.00       45.00  
Marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products
Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited
 
HKD 13,277
    100.00        
Trading of petrochemical products
Sinopec Hainan Refining and Chemical Company Limited
 
RMB 3,986
    75.00       25.00  
Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products
Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited ("Shanghai Petrochemical")
 
RMB 7,200
    50.56       49.44  
Manufacturing of synthetic fibres, resin and plastics, intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products
Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited ("Sinopec Kantons")
 
HKD 248
    60.34       39.66  
Trading of crude oil and petroleum products
Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Linited Liability Company (iii)
 
RMB 4,000
    100.00        
Production and sale of polyester chips and polyester fibres
Sinopec Qingdao Petrochemical Company Limited
 
RMB 1,595
    100.00        
Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products
Sinopec Chemical Sales Company Limited
 
RMB 1,000
    100.00        
Marketing and distribution of petrochemical products
Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Limited ("SIPL")
 
RMB 8,000
    100.00        
Investment in exploration, production and sales of petroleum and natural gas
Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Company Limited
 
RMB 2,200
    100.00        
Marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products
Sinopec Great Wall Energy & Chemical Company Limited ("GWEC")(iv)
 
RMB 18,863
    100.00        
Coal chemical industry investment Management, production and sale of coal chemical products
Sinopec Great Wall Energy & Chemical (Ningxia) Company Limited ("Ningxia Nenghua")(iv)
 
RMB 5,130
    95.00       5.00  
Production and sale of electricity, cement and coal
Sinopec Beihai Refining and Chemical Limited Liability Company
 
RMB 5,294
    98.98       1.02  
Import and processing of crude oil, production, storage and sale of petroleum products and petrochemical products
Sinopec-SK(Wuhan) Petrochemical Company Limited ("Zhonghan Wuhan")
 
RMB 6,270
    65.00       35.00  
Production, sale, research and development of ethylene and downstream by products
Sinopec Zhanjiang Dongxing Petrochemical Company Limited
 
RMB 4,397
    75.00       25.00  
Manufacturing of intermediate petrochemical products and petroleum products


 
F-59

 

 
Except for Sinopec Kantons and Sinopec (Hong Kong) Limited, which are incorporated in Bermuda and Hong Kong, respectively, all of the above principal subsidiaries are incorporated and operate their business principally in the PRC. All of the above principal subsidiaries are limited companies.
 
Note:
 
(i)
Pursuant to the resolution of the Company’s Meeting of Board of Directors held on February 19, 2014, the Company's business under its marketing and distribution segment of the Group was injected to Marketing Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group on April 1, 2014.

On September 12, 2014, Marketing Company entered into the "Capital Injection Agreement relating to Marketing Company" with a number of domestic and foreign investors, pursuant to which the investors shall subscribe for equity interest in Marketing Company in cash upon the relevant approvals for this capital injection being obtained, an aggregate capital contribution of RMB 105,044 was made to the Marketing Company by 25 investors, representing 29.58% equity interest in the Marketing Company on March 6, 2015.

(ii)
The Group consolidated the financial statements of the entity because it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

(iii)
Pursuant to the Share Repurchase Agreement and Disposal Agreement entered into between the Company and Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd. on September 12, 2014, Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd. repurchased and cancelled the 40.25% of its equity interests held by the Company in exchange for the transfer of its outgoing business to the Company, pursuant to which this business was injected into Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fibre Limited Liability Company.

Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement between Sinopec Group Company and Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd. on the same date, Yizheng Chemical Fibre Co., Ltd. issued shares to Sinopec Group Company for the acquisition of a 100% equity interest of Sinopec Oilfield Service Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinopec Group Company). The above transactions were inter-conditional and were completed in December 2014.

The Group accounted for the transaction pursuant to the Share Repurchase Agreement as a transaction with non-controlling interests since the control of business had not been lost, which resulted in an increase in capital reserve of the Group's consolidated financial statement amounting to RMB 3,227 and decrease of non-controlling interests amounting to RMB 2,867.

(iv)
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company increased its investment in GWEC by RMB 5,712 . Further, on August 1, 2014, GWEC acquired an additional 45% of the equity interest in shares in Ningxia Nenghua (GWEC previously held a 50% equity interest) and obtained control of Ningxia Nenghua (a coal chemical producer) which the Group accounted for as a subsidiary of GWEC thereafter. The cash consideration was RMB 2,593. The fair value of the 50% equity interest held before the business combination is RMB 2,881. The fair value of the assets and liabilities of Ningxia Nenghua primarily include construction in progress amounting to RMB 14,094, property, plant and equipment amounting to RMB 3,293 and borrowings amounting to RMB 11,862 and no goodwill has arisen from the business combination.
 
Summarized financial information on subsidiaries with material non-controlling interests

Set out below are the summarized financial information which the amount before inter-company eliminations for each subsidiary that has non-controlling interests that are material to the Group.


 
F-60

 

 
Summarized balance sheet

   
Fujian Petrochemical
 
Shanghai Petrochemical
 
Sinopec Kantons
 
SIPL
 
Marketing Company(i)
 
Zhonghan Wuhan
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
   
At
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Current assets
    281       436       14,486       9,510       1,886       1,581       13,983       15,416       131,012    
      1,724  
Current liabilities
    (197 )     (224 )     (18,017 )     (12,485 )     (972 )     (928 )     (2,414 )     (2,387 )     (280,010 )  
      (13,023 )
Net current assets / (liabilities)
    84       212       (3,531 )     (2,975 )     914       653       11,569       13,029       (148,998 )  
      (11,299 )
Non-current assets
    4,596       4,050       22,151       21,395       6,912       7,536       46,143       47,623       229,281       4,033       16,874  
Non-current liabilities
    (796 )     (996 )     (628 )     (1,649 )     (77 )     (82 )     (32,831 )     (35,877 )     (1,456 )  
­—
   
 
Net non-current assets
    3,800       3,054       21,523       19,746       6,835       7,454       13,312       11,746       227,825       4,033       16,874  
Net assets
    3,884       3,266       17,992       16,771       7,749       8,107       24,881       24,775       78,827       4,033       5,575  
Attributable to owners of the Company
    1,942       1,633       8,399       8,342       4,676       4,873       7,494       7,370       72,701       2,621       3,624  
Attributable to non-controlling interests (v)
    1,942       1,633       9,593       8,429       3,073       3,234       17,387       17,405       6,126       1,412       1,951  

Note:
(v)
On May 9, 2013, Sinopec Kantons issued 412,500,000 ordinary shares to non-controlling interests with total consideration amounted to HK$2,681.25 million.

 
The Group and a fellow subsidiary of Sinopec Group Company contributed USD 1,473 million to establish Sinopec International Petroleum E&P Hongkong Overseas Limited in Hong Kong through which three new joint ventures were acquired during the year ended 31 December 2013 (Note 19).
 
(vi)
Zhonghan Wuhan was established in 2013.

Summarized statement of comprehensive income

Year ended  December 31,
 
Fujian Petrochemical
 
Shanghai Petrochemical
 
Sinopec Kantons
 
SIPL
 
Marketing Company(i)
 
Zhonghan Wuhan(vi)
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Operating revenues
    6,361       5,379       7,322       93,008       115,490       102,126       17,863       18,647       15,227       15,911       13,652       9,038       1,472,232             18,365  
Net income / (loss) for the year
    (1,007 )     (716 )     (745 )     (1,505 )     2,066       (676 )     236       392       554       5,735       4,250       3,046       22,914       (43 )     137  
Total comprehensive (loss) / income
    (1,006 )     (714 )     (750 )     (1,505 )     2,066       (676 )     236       620       399       5,693       3,814       (106 )     22,934       (43 )     137  
(Loss) / Profit attributable to non-controlling interests
    (504 )     (358 )     (375 )     (656 )     924       (326 )     85       246       158       2,622       1,774       18       930       (15 )     48  
Dividends declared to non-controlling interests
                      187       196       271       7       28       39                                      

 
 
F-61

 
 
 
Summarized statement of cash flows

Year ended December 31,
 
Fujian Petrochemical
 
Shanghai Petrochemical
 
Sinopec Kantons
 
SIPL
 
Marketing Company(i)
 
Zhonghan Wuhan
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
    2012    
2013
   
2014
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
 
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
    RMB    
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Net cash (used) / generated from operating actities
    (481 )     523       197       (2,066 )     5,098       3,662       245       326       225       8,097       7,006       5,383       44,337             1,467  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (288 )     (698 )     (303 )     (4,062 )     (629 )     (910 )     (1,455 )     (3,024 )     (814 )     (3,040 )     (36,924 )     (8,282 )     (46,140 )           (2,643 )
Net cash generated from/ (used in) financing activities
    600       369       264       6,198       (4,497 )     (2,606 )     2,530       2,050       (65 )     (4,399 )     31,662       1,740       1,584             1,513  
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (169 )     194       158       70       (28 )     146       1,320       (648 )     (654 )     (658 )     1,744       (1,159 )     (219 )           337  
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
    197       28       222       91       161       133       626       1,920       1,295       179       824       2,468       2,878              
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes
                                        4       23       (13 )     (13 )     (100 )     18       23              
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
    28       222       380       161       133       279       1,950       1,295       628       824       2,468       1,327       2,682             337  

 
 
F-62

 

 
35.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND FAIR VALUES

Overview

Financial assets of the Group include cash and cash equivalents, time deposits with financial institutions, investments, trade accounts receivable, bills receivable, available-for-sale financial assets, derivative financial instruments and other receivables. Financial liabilities of the Group include short-term and long-term debts, loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries, salaries and welfare payable, interest payable, trade accounts payable, bills payable, derivative financial instruments and other payables.
 
 
The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:

 
·
credit risk;
 
·
liquidity risk;
 
·
market risk; and
 
·
equity price risk.

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment, oversight of the Group’s risk management framework, and developing and monitoring the Group’s risk management policies.

The Group’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Group, and set appropriate risk limits and controls to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s activities. The Group, through its training and management controls and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations. Internal audit department undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the Group’s audit committee.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s deposits placed with financial institutions and receivables from customers. To limit exposure to credit risk relating to deposits, the Group primarily places cash deposits only with large financial institutions in the PRC with acceptable credit ratings. The majority of the Group’s trade accounts receivable relate to sales of petroleum and chemical products to related parties and third parties operating in the petroleum and chemical industries. The Group performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral on trade accounts receivable. The Group maintains an impairment loss for doubtful accounts and actual losses have been within management’s expectations.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, time deposits with financial institutions, trade accounts and bills receivables, derivative financial instruments and other receivables, represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s approach in managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed capital conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation. Management prepares monthly cash flow budget to ensure that the Group will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group arranges and negotiates financing with financial institutions and maintains a certain level of standby credit facilities to reduce the Group’s liquidity risk.


 
F-63

 

 
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Group has standby credit facilities with several PRC financial institutions which provide borrowings up to RMB 289,106 and RMB 302,570 on an unsecured basis, at a weighted average interest rate of 3.12% and 3.51% per annum, respectively. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Group’s outstanding borrowings under these facilities were RMB 44,966 and RMB 78,983 and were included in debts, respectively.

The following table sets out the remaining contractual maturities at the balance sheet date of the Group’s financial liabilities, which are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows (including interest payments computed using contractual rates or, if floating, based on prevailing rates current at the balance sheet date) and the earliest date the Group would be required to repay:

   
December 31, 2013
 
   
Carrying amount
   
Total contractual undiscounted cash flow
   
Within 1 year or on demand
   
More than 1 year but less than 2 years
   
More than 2 years but less than 5 years
   
More than 5 years
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                                     
Short-term debts
    109,806       111,753       111,753                    
Long-term debts
    107,234       134,403       3,942       14,799       82,326       33,336  
Loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    92,420       93,030       54,373       484       2,613       35,560  
Trade accounts payable
    202,724       202,724       202,724                    
Bills payable
    4,526       4,526       4,526                    
Accrued expenses and other payables
    83,735       83,735       83,735                    
      600,445       630,171       461,053       15,283       84,939       68,896  
                                                 
   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Carrying amount
   
Total contractual undiscounted cash flow
   
Within 1 year or on demand
   
More than 1 year but less than 2 years
   
More than 2 years but less than 5 years
   
More than 5 years
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                                     
Short-term debts
    75,183       75,794       75,794                    
Long-term debts
    107,787       129,849       4,328       16,411       63,221       45,889  
Loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries
    146,110       147,321       103,475       1,301       6,634       35,911  
Trade accounts payable
    198,366       198,366       198,366                    
Bills payable
    4,577       4,577       4,577                    
Accrued expenses and other payables
    104,571       104,571       104,571                    
      636,594       660,478       491,111       17,712       69,855       81,800  
                                                 
Management believes that the Group’s current cash on hand, expected cash flows from operations and available standby credit facilities from financial institutions will be sufficient to meet the Group’s working capital requirements and repay its short-term debts and obligations when they become due.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

Currency risk

Currency risk arises on financial instruments that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency in which they are measured. The Group’s currency risk exposure primarily relates to short-term and long-term debts and loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries denominated in US Dollars, Japanese Yen and Hong Kong Dollars. The Group enters into foreign exchange contracts to manage its currency risk exposure.


 
F-64

 

 
Included in short-term and long-term debts and loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries of the Group are the following amounts denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity to which they relate:

 
December 31,
 
Gross exposure arising from loans and borrowings
2013
 
2014
 
US Dollars
USD
    4,118  
USD
    8,382  
Euro
EUR
   
 
EUR
    57  
Japanese Yen
JPY
    9,711  
JPY
    8,662  
Hong Kong Dollars
HKD
    13,931  
HKD
    6  

A 5 percent strengthening of Renminbi against the following currencies as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 would have increased net income of the Group by the amounts shown below. This analysis has been determined assuming that the change in foreign exchange rates had occurred at the balance sheet date and had been applied to the foreign currency balances to which the Group has significant exposure as stated above, and that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.  The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2013.

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
US Dollars
    941       1,923  
Euro
   
      16  
Japanese Yen
    21       17  
Hong Kong Dollars
    411      
 

Other than the amounts as disclosed above, the amounts of other financial assets and liabilities of the Group are substantially denominated in the functional currency of respective entity of the Group.

Interest rate risk

The Group’s interest rate risk exposure arises primarily from its short-term and long-term debts. Debts bearing interest at variable rates and at fixed rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk and fair value interest rate risk respectively. The interest rates of short-term and long-term debts and loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries of the Group are disclosed in Note 24.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, it is estimated that a general increase / decrease of 100 basis points in variable interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would decrease / increase the Group’s net income by approximately RMB 411 and RMB 1,199, respectively. This sensitivity analysis has been determined assuming that the change of interest rates was applied to the Group’s debts outstanding at the balance sheet date with exposure to cash flow interest rate risk. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2013.

Commodity price risk

The Group engages in oil and gas operations and is exposed to commodity price risk related to price volatility of crude oil, refined oil products and chemical products. The fluctuations in prices of crude oil, refined oil products and chemical products could have significant impact on the Group. The Group uses derivative financial instruments, including commodity futures and swaps, to manage a portion of this risk. As of December, 31, 2013 and 2014, the Group had certain commodity contracts of crude oil, refined oil products and chemical products designated as qualified cash flow hedges and economic hedges. The fair values of these derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are set out in Notes 14 and 26.

As of December 31, 2013, it is estimated that a general increase/decrease of USD 10 per barrel in crude oil and refined oil products, with all other variables held constant, would increase/decrease the Group’s net income and retained earnings by approximately RMB 18, and increase/decrease the Group’s other reserves by approximately RMB 2,806. As of December 31, 2014, it is estimated that a general increase/decrease of USD 10 per barrel in crude oil and refined oil products, with all other variables held constant, would decrease/increase the Group’s net income by approximately RMB 1,167, and increase/decrease the Group’s other reserves by approximately RMB 2,206. This sensitivity analysis has been determined assuming that the change in prices had occurred at the balance sheet date and the change was applied to the Group’s derivative financial instruments at that date with exposure to commodity price risk. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2013.


 
F-65

 

 
Equity price risk

The Group is exposed to equity price risk arising from changes in the Company’s own share price to the extent that the Company’s own equity instruments underlie the fair values of derivatives of the Group. As of December 31, 2014, the Group’s exposure to equity price risk is the derivative embedded in the 2011 Convertible Bonds issued by the Company as disclosed in Note 24(v).

As of December 31, 2013, it is estimated that an increase of 20% in the Company’s own share price would decrease the Group’s net income by approximately RMB 1,333 while a decrease of 20% in the Company’s own share price would increase the Group’s net income by approximately RMB 737. As of December 31, 2014, it is estimated that an increase of 20% in the Company’s own share price would decrease the Group’s net income for the year by approximately RMB 2,730 while a decrease of 20% in the Company’s own share price would increase the Group’s net income for the year by approximately RMB 2,702. This sensitivity analysis has been determined assuming that the changes in the Company’s own share price had occurred at the balance sheet date and that all other variables remain constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2013.

Fair values

(i)
Financial instruments carried at fair value

The following table presents the carrying value of financial instruments measured at fair value at the balance sheet date across the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined in IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, with the fair value of each financial instrument categorized in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to that fair value measurement. The levels are defined as follows:

 
·
Level 1 (highest level): fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments.

 
·
Level 2: fair values measured using quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments, or using valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly based on observable market data.

 
·
Level 3 (lowest level): fair values measured using valuation techniques in which any significant input is not based on observable market data.

   
December 31, 2013
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Assets
                       
Available-for-sale financial assets:
                       
- Listed
    1,964                   1,964  
Derivative financial instruments:
                               
- Derivative financial assets
    348       4,316             4,664  
      2,312       4,316             6,628  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Derivative financial instruments:
                               
- Embedded derivative components of the convertible bonds
          548             548  
- Other derivative financial liabilities
    339       2,285             2,624  
      339       2,833             3,172  
 
   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Assets
                       
Available-for-sale financial assets:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
- Listed
    183    
     
      183  
Derivative financial instruments:
                             
- Derivative financial assets
    2,885       9,737      
      12,622  
      3,068       9,737      
      12,805  


 
F-66

 


Liabilities
                       
Derivative financial instruments:
                       
- Embedded derivative components of the convertible bonds
 
      3,288      
      3,288  
- Other derivative financial liabilities
    1,920       17,070      
      18,990  
      1,920       20,358      
      22,278  
 
During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, there were no transfers between instruments in Level 1 and Level 2.

(ii)
Fair values of financial instruments carried at other than fair value

The disclosures of the fair value estimates, and their methods and assumptions of the Group’s financial instruments, are made to comply with the requirements of IFRS 7 and IAS 39 and should be read in conjunction with the Group’s consolidated financial statements and related notes. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Group using market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Group could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and / or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

The fair values of the Group’s financial instruments carried at other than fair value (other than long-term indebtedness and investments in unquoted equity securities) approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of long-term indebtedness are estimated by discounting future cash flows using current market interest rates offered to the Group that range between 0.37% to 7.03% and 0.33% to 6.15% for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value of the Group’s long-term indebtedness other than loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2014:

   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
Carrying amount
    151,852       115,767  
Fair value
    149,694       112,362  

The Group has not developed an internal valuation model necessary to estimate the fair value of loans from Sinopec Group Company and fellow subsidiaries as it is not considered practicable to estimate their fair value because the cost of obtaining discount and borrowing rates for comparable borrowings would be excessive based on the Reorganization, the Group’s existing capital structure and the terms of the borrowings.

Investments in unquoted equity securities are individually and in aggregate not material to the Group’s financial condition or results of operations. There are no listed market prices for such interests in the PRC and, accordingly, a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs. The Group intends to hold these unquoted other investments in equity securities for long term purpose.

Except for the above items, the financial assets and liabilities of the Group are carried at amounts not materially different from their fair values as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.

36.
ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

The Group’s financial condition and results of operations are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that underlie the preparation of the financial statements. Management bases the assumptions and estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable and which form the basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates as facts, circumstances and conditions change.

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of such policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors to be considered when reviewing the financial statements. The significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 2. Management believes the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.


 
F-67

 
 
 
Oil and gas properties and reserves

The accounting for the exploration and production’s oil and gas activities is subject to accounting rules that are unique to the oil and gas industry. There are two methods to account for oil and gas business activities, the successful efforts method and the full cost method. The Group has elected to use the successful efforts method. The successful efforts method reflects the volatility that is inherent in exploring for mineral resources in that costs of unsuccessful exploratory efforts are charged to expense as they are incurred. These costs primarily include dry hole costs, seismic costs and other exploratory costs. Under the full cost method, these costs are capitalized and written-off or depreciated over time.

Engineering estimates of the Group’s oil and gas reserves are inherently imprecise and represent only approximate amounts because of the subjective judgments involved in developing such information. There are authoritative guidelines regarding the engineering criteria that have to be met before estimated oil and gas reserves can be designated as “proved”. Proved and proved developed reserves estimates are updated at least annually and take into account recent production and technical information about each field. In addition, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate of proved and proved developed reserves also changes. This change is considered a change in estimate for accounting purposes and is reflected on a prospective basis in related depreciation rates.

Future dismantlement costs for oil and gas properties are estimated with reference to engineering estimates after taking into consideration the anticipated method of dismantlement required in accordance with industry practices in similar geographic area, including estimation of economic life of oil and gas properties, technology and price level. The present values of these estimated future dismantlement costs are capitalized as oil and gas properties with equivalent amounts recognized as provision for dismantlement costs.

Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, these estimates are used in determining depreciation expense, impairment loss and future dismantlement costs. Depreciation rates are determined based on estimated proved developed reserve quantities (the denominator) and capitalized costs of producing properties (the numerator). Producing properties’ capitalized costs are amortized based on the units of oil or gas produced.

Impairment for long lived assets

If circumstances indicate that the net book value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the asset may be considered “impaired”, and an impairment loss may be recognized in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets”. The carrying amounts of long-lived assets are reviewed periodically in order to assess whether the recoverable amounts have declined below the carrying amounts. These assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their recorded carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to recoverable amount. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is estimated annually. The recoverable amount is the greater of the net selling price and the value in use. It is difficult to precisely estimate selling price because quoted market prices for the Group’s assets or cash-generating units are not readily available. In determining the value in use, expected cash flows generated by the asset or the cash-generating unit are discounted to their present value, which requires significant judgment relating to level of sale volume, selling price and amount of operating costs. Management uses all readily available information in determining an amount that is a reasonable approximation of recoverable amount, including estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections of sale volume, selling price and amount of operating costs.

Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment, other than oil and gas properties, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, after taking into account the estimated residual value. Management reviews the estimated useful lives of the assets at least annually in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives are based on the Group’s historical experience with similar assets and take into account anticipated technological changes. The depreciation expense for future periods is adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates.


 
F-68

 
 
 
Impairment for bad and doubtful debts

Management estimates impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts resulting from the inability of the Group’s customers to make the required payments. Management bases the estimates on the aging of the accounts receivable balance, customer credit-worthiness, and historical write-off experience. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, actual write-offs would be higher than estimated.

Allowance for diminution in value of inventories

If the costs of inventories become higher than their net realizable values, an allowance for diminution in value of inventories is recognized. Net realizable value represents the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Management bases the estimates on all available information, including the current market prices of the finished goods and raw materials, and historical operating costs. If the actual selling prices were to be lower or the costs of completion were to be higher than estimated, the actual allowance for diminution in value of inventories could be higher than estimated.

37.
PARENT AND ULTIMATE HOLDING COMPANY

The directors consider the parent and ultimate holding company of the Group as of December 31, 2014 is Sinopec Group Company, a state-owned enterprise established in the PRC. This entity does not produce financial statements available for public use.
 
 
 
F-69

 
 
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS PRODUCING
ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
(All currency amounts in millions)

In accordance with the Accounting Standards Update 2010-03, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas (Topic 932): Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures, (“ASU 2010-03”), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the United States, this section provides supplemental information on oil and gas exploration and producing activities of the Group as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and for the years then ended in the following six separate tables. Tables I through III provide historical cost information under IFRS pertaining to capitalized costs related to oil and gas producing activities; costs incurred in oil and gas exploration and development; and results of operations related to oil and gas producing activities. Tables IV through VI present information on the Group’s estimated net proved reserve quantities; standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows; and changes in the standardized measure of discounted cash flows.

Tables I to VI of supplemental information on oil and gas producing activities of the Group set out below represent information of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and equity method investments. The oil and gas producing activities of the equity method investee of the Group are relatively small and therefore the information is presented with total amount of both internal and external.

Table I:   Capitalized costs related to oil and gas producing activities

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
The Group
                 
Property cost, wells and related equipment and facilities
    451,288       515,701       569,172  
Supporting equipment and facilities
    158,749       176,883       191,003  
Uncompleted wells, equipment and facilities
    57,124       64,569       78,971  
Total capitalized costs
    667,161       757,153       839,146  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment losses
    (316,445 )     (361,859 )     (411,450 )
Net capitalized costs
    350,716       395,294       427,696  
                         
Equity method investments
                       
Share of net capitalized costs of joint ventures
          14,528       15,277  
                         
Table II:   Cost incurred in oil and gas exploration and development

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
The Group
                 
Exploration
    22,637       19,158       16,704  
Development
    71,168       81,969       73,923  
Total costs incurred
    93,805       101,127       90,627  
                         
Equity method investments
                       
Share of costs of exploration and development of joint ventures
          35       1,381  
                         
 
 
F-70

 
 
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS PRODUCING
ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)
(All currency amounts in millions)

Table III:   Results of operations related to oil and gas producing activities

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
The Group
                 
Revenues
                 
Sales
    53,270       60,616       69,223  
Transfers
    174,251       158,317       141,521  
      227,521       218,933       210,744  
Production costs excluding taxes
    (47,467 )     (52,163 )     (50,567 )
Exploration expenses
    (15,533 )     (12,573 )     (10,969 )
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment losses
    (40,289 )     (46,649 )     (51,338 )
Taxes other than income tax
    (39,784 )     (35,391 )     (31,995 )
Earnings before taxation
    84,448       72,157       65,875  
Income tax expense
    (22,953 )     (20,113 )     (17,454 )
Results of operation from producing activities
    61,495       52,044       48,421  
                         
Equity method investments
                       
Share of net income for producing activities of joint ventures
          40       792  
                         
Total of the Group and equity method investments results of operations for producing activities
    61,495       52,084       49,213  
                         
The results of operations for producing activities for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are shown above. Revenues include sales to unaffiliated parties and transfers (essentially at third-party sales prices) to other segments of the Group. All revenues reported in this table do not include royalties to others as there were none. Income taxes are based on statutory tax rates, reflecting allowable deductions and tax credits. General corporate overhead and interest income and expense are excluded from the results of operations.
 
Table IV:   Reserve quantities information

The Group’s and equity method investments’ estimated net proved underground oil and gas reserves and changes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are shown in the following table.

Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulation before the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether the estimate is a deterministic estimate or probabilistic estimate. Due to the inherent uncertainties and the limited nature of reservoir data, estimates of underground reserves are subject to change as additional information becomes available.

Proved developed oil and gas reserves are proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared with the cost of a new well.


 
F-71

 
 
 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS PRODUCING
ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)
(All currency amounts in millions)

 “Net” reserves exclude royalties and interests owned by others and reflect contractual arrangements and obligation of rental fee in effect at the time of the estimate.

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
The Group
                 
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves (oil) (million barrels)
                 
Beginning of year
    2,848       2,843       2,841  
Revisions of previous estimates
    9       (10 )     (38 )
Improved recovery
    163       166       154  
Extensions and discoveries
    151       175       141  
Production
    (328 )     (333 )     (326 )
End of year
    2,843       2,841       2,772  
                         
Non-controlling interest in proved developed and undeveloped reserves at the end of year
    32       31       32  
Proved developed reserves                        
Beginning of year
    2,545       2,577       2,562  
End of year
    2,577       2,562       2,529  
Proved undeveloped reserves
                       
Beginning of year
    303       266       279  
End of year
    266       279       243  
                         
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves (gas) (billion cubic feet)
                       
Beginning of year
    6,709       6,730       6,493  
Revisions of previous estimates
    278       (326 )     175  
Improved recovery
    109       35       48  
Extensions and discoveries
    232       714       711  
Production
    (598 )     (660 )     (712 )
End of year
    6,730       6,493       6,715  
Proved developed reserves
                       
Beginning of year
    4,246       5,439       5,781  
End of year
    5,439       5,781       5,987  
Proved undeveloped reserves
                       
Beginning of year
    2,463       1,291       712  
End of year
    1,291       712       728  
Share of proved developed and undeveloped reserves of joint ventures (oil) (million barrels)                        
Beginning of year
                289  
End of year
          289       275  
Share of proved developed and undeveloped reserves of joint ventures (gas) (billion cubic feet)
                       
Beginning of year
                27  
End of year
          27       26  
The Group and share of joint ventures
                       
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves (oil) (million barrels)
                       
Beginning of year
    2,848       2,843       3,130  
End of year
    2,843       3,130       3,047  
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves (gas) (billion cubic feet)
                       
Beginning of year
    6,709       6,730       6,520  
End of year
    6,730       6,520       6,741  


 
F-72

 

 
CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS PRODUCING
ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)
(All currency amounts in millions)

Table V: Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, related to the above proved oil and gas reserves, is calculated in accordance with the requirements of ASU 2010-03. Estimated future cash inflows from production are computed by applying the average, first-day-of-the-month price for oil and gas during the twelve-month period before the ending date of the period covered by the report to year-end quantities of estimated net proved reserves. Future price changes are limited to those provided by contractual arrangements in existence at the end of each reporting year. Future development and production costs are those estimated future expenditures necessary to develop and produce year-end estimated proved reserves based on year-end cost indices, assuming continuation of year-end economic conditions. Estimated future income taxes are calculated by applying appropriate year-end statutory tax rates to estimated future pre-tax net cash flows, less the tax basis of related assets. Discounted future net cash flows are calculated using 10% midperiod discount factors. This discounting requires a year-by-year estimate of when the future expenditure will be incurred and when the reserves will be produced.

The information provided does not represent management’s estimate of the Group’s expected future cash flows or value of proved oil and gas reserves. Estimates of proved reserve quantities are imprecise and change over time as new information becomes available. Moreover, probable and possible reserves, which may become proved in the future, are excluded from the calculations. The arbitrary valuation requires assumptions as to the timing and amount of future development and production costs. The calculations are made for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and should not be relied upon as an indication of the Group’s future cash flows or value of its oil and gas reserves.
 
   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                   
The Group
                 
Future cash flows
    2,029,836       1,894,416       1,807,330  
Future production costs
    (965,683 )     (902,692 )     (823,575 )
Future development costs
    (50,162 )     (46,784 )     (46,684 )
Future income tax expenses
    (176,591 )     (145,198 )     (135,219 )
Undiscounted future net cash flows
    837,400       799,742       801,852  
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows
    (322,234 )     (288,341 )     (288,393 )
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
    515,166       511,401       513,459  
Discounted future net cash flows attributable to non-controlling interests
    7,059       5,149       4,815  
Equity method investments
                       
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
 
      23,261       19,650  

Table VI:   Changes in the standardized measure of discounted cash flows

   
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
2012
   
2013
   
2014
 
   
RMB
   
RMB
   
RMB
 
                   
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net of production costs
    (104,319 )     (131,379 )     (128,182 )
Net changes in prices and production costs
    (28,277 )     (33,245 )     (25,427 )
Net change due to extensions, discoveries and improved recoveries
    73,394       75,336       68,147  
Revisions of previous quantity estimates
    12,945       (10,478 )     (1,453 )
Previously estimated development costs incurred during the year
    19,526       17,831       22,286  
Accretion of discount
    40,767       62,380       60,425  
Net change in income taxes
    4,630       15,790       6,262  
Others
    261    
   
 
Net change for the year
    18,927       (3,765 )     2,058  
                         
 
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