China’s oil giants explore green fuels

China’s oil giants — normally in the news for their massive profits and international expansion — are making tentative moves into the green fuels sector.

Earlier this month, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China’s largest oil producer, signed an agreement with the Sichuan provincial government to develop bio-fuel in the southwestern basin famous for its agricultural industry and natural gas reserves.

They plan to produce 600,000 tons of automotive-grade ethanol made from sweet potatoes each year and 100,000 tons bio-diesel made from the seeds of jatropha curcas tree.
People’s Daily