In a luxurious and bright conference room in the Ambassador Diaoyutai Hotel.
A negotiation involving a dispute over interests officially began.
A huge round wooden conference table was filled with people.
The participants were divided into four groups, namely, Wang Yilin, Chairman of China National Offshore Oil Corporation, and Song Wanpeng, General Manager, four others; Herbert, a representative of the US Arco Petroleum Corporation, and five others; Mo Zhexuan and Wang Zhixin, four others from China Gas Company; and Mutwa, a representative of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and four others.
Wang Yilin was now in high spirits, feeling happy and no longer having to suffer from humiliation. With a warm smile on his face, he solemnly introduced the identities of Mutwa and his group.
"First, let us welcome Kuvit Petroleum Co., Ltd. to participate in our Yacheng offshore gas field project!"
As soon as the words fell, after the translator's interpretation, Herbert and others from the American Arco Petroleum Company turned pale, and they wanted to pick up a knife and chop Mutwa and others from the Kuvit Petroleum Company into pieces.
This scene was naturally seen by the people on both Wang Yilin and Mo Zhexuan's sides. Instead, they clapped their hands vigorously, feeling extremely happy deep down in their hearts.
"Now, let's officially begin today's topic. Before we begin, I have a piece of news to announce: the reserves of the Yacheng offshore gas field project are not tens of billions of cubic meters, but over one hundred billion cubic meters."
"So, as the holder of the large gas field, we have decided to increase the valuation of the joint venture from the original 500 million MiG to 2 billion MiG. Do you have any objections?"
"We have no objection," Mo Zhexuan spoke first. This valuation had already been discussed with China National Offshore Oil Corporation, so naturally they would not disagree. If they disagreed, they would not be sitting in this office today.
"We agree with this valuation," Herbert agreed in fluent English.
"Agree!" Finally, it was Mutwa's turn. He nodded slowly in agreement. In fact, he really didn't care whether he could cooperate on this project.
But since I'm here, I have to complete the company's tasks and establish good relations with China. This is in line with national policies and is beneficial. After all, China has nuclear weapons. For this reason alone, it is worth making friends with.
Wang Yilin was not surprised and then prepared to proceed to the second key topic, which was the respective shares of the four parties and the conditions of cooperation.
"We will hold a leading position in the Yacheng offshore gas field project, holding a 51% stake. For the remaining 49%, we are considering having the US-based Arco Petroleum Company invest 200 million US dollars, plus technical support and corresponding equipment, to take a 25% stake."
"Kvit Petroleum invested 100 million US dollars and provided technical support, accounting for 14% of the shares. China Gas invested 200 million US dollars and held 10% of the shares."
“What do you think of this suggestion?”
Herbert has received the latest instructions from the company headquarters. Since the company has gone bankrupt, he plans to make every effort to acquire more shares, at least to ensure 35% of the shares, so as to maximize profits.
"We oppose Kuvitneftegaz's participation in this project. With our own technology, we are fully capable of building the corresponding platform as soon as possible and laying the corresponding submarine pipeline on the seabed. There is no need for it."
Song Wanpeng then took on the bad guy role and expressed his opposition.
"I object! Kuvitneftegaz has been deeply involved in oil and gas extraction for many years, and its technological strength is unparalleled globally. Joining this project will definitely help us develop the large gas field."
"Then what role does China Gas play in the project? They don't have the technology. Although they have financial support, we can definitely provide it," Herbert said again.
"The participation of China Gas is of immeasurable significance to our country. Firstly, it is a company from Hong Kong. Secondly, once the deep-sea pipeline to Hong Kong is built, they will become our largest customer."
Herbert found that Mutwa said nothing, tapped the table lightly with his right hand, and stared at him like an eagle. His intuition told him that the breakthrough might be with the other party.
"Mr. Mutwa! As far as I know, Kuwait Petroleum Co., Ltd. has countless projects in its own country. Why would they choose to come to China to cooperate on a large gas field instead of one close to home? This doesn't make sense!"
"We...are also trying to gain experience." Mutwa hesitated for a long time before stammering to explain.
In fact, deep down in his heart, he really didn't want to have a bad relationship with the Americans, but the company had made such a decision, so he had no choice but to follow it.
The four parties discussed in the conference room for three hours but still failed to reach an agreement. However, through compromises on their own, they are all working towards cooperation.
After four hours of hard work in the afternoon, a preliminary cooperation agreement was finally signed. The content of the cooperation is as follows:
China National Offshore Oil Corporation's 51% stake remains unchanged.
Arco Petroleum Corporation of the United States invested 200 million US dollars, provided technical support and related equipment, and holds a 32% stake.
Kuvit Petroleum Co., Ltd. invested 80 million yuan, provided technical support, and held a 10% stake.
China Gas Company invested 80 million yuan and holds a 7% stake.
After the cooperation agreement was signed, representatives from all four parties started talking and laughing. As for whether they would encounter intrigues and schemes in the subsequent project cooperation, only God knows.
We had dinner together at the State Guest Diaoyutai State Hotel in the evening. Under the temptation of delicious food and fine wine, we all forgot about the verbal battles and table-slamming scenes at the negotiation table.
This is what modern civilized people do. They no longer draw swords against each other like in ancient times, but achieve their goals through negotiation. Of course, if they want to gain greater benefits, it depends on their own strength.
If corresponding interests cannot be obtained at the negotiation table, then force will once again become the main means if there is no military support behind the US Arco Petroleum Co., Ltd.
Then the Chinese side would probably have given up on the other side long ago, saying, "If you don't want to cooperate, just get out." But there is no other way. The US military base behind is not far from the Yacheng waters. If they cause trouble every few days, it will be almost impossible for the project to be successfully mined.
Looking through the surface to see the essence, this is the naked reality. All fairness is based on corresponding strength. If you have strength, you can change the rules yourself. If you don’t have strength, then the rules are tailor-made for you.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
