In 2007, we deployed 174 drilling rigs to provide drilling services in 27 countries, such as Sudan, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Indonesia, and Pakistan. These rigs completed 1,290 wells.

CNPC continued to adapt to the changing international market and readjust and optimize our market layout, based on the principle of appropriate concentration and prioritized profitability. Our market concentration and scale advantage were further improved. As is evident from the contract value, 84% of our new contracts were from major markets where we had scale advantages, and 31% had a term of more than two years.  

Leveraging our advantageous technological and human resources, we actively explored the target markets outside China and further stabilized the maturing markets of Venezuela and Sudan, maintained the existing operation of our drilling rigs in these markets. At the same time, we enhanced the development of new and high-end markets, entering the drilling markets of Mauritania, Niger, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

Drilling crews from CNPC's Great Wall Drilling Company (GWDC) have been widely praised for the premium service and expertise displayed in their overseas operations. In Chad, they are known as "superior in every aspect". In Kzyl-Orda Province of Kazakhstan, they are regarded as the leading local drilling crews. They were also named "The Green Workover Crew" and "The Best Drilling Crew" by PDVSA. They were acclaimed as "the truly capable international drilling contractor" by Shell Oman. This reflects our recognized brand image and reputation in the high-end market occupied by Shell.

In Kazakhstan, we tackled the challenge of quality cementing in North Buzachi Oilfield. In Kenkiyak, we tested new bits and increased bit speed through the second time drilling of non-salt-dome wells. We also addressed drilling safety problems in high-concentration hydrogen sulfide layers in Egypt and Pakistan, and high-temperature geothermal wells in Kenya.