Sinopec's Profit for 1H2018 Up 52% with Dividend Payout Surges 60%

BEIJING, Aug. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation ("Sinopec" or the "Company")(HKEX: 386; SSE: 600028; NYSE: SNP) today announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018.

Financial Highlights:

    --  In accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards
        (IFRS), the Company's operating profit reached RMB 61.6 billion,
        increased by 56.6% year on year. Profit attributable to equity
        shareholders of the Company was RMB 42.4 billion, surged by 51.8% year
        on year. Basic earnings per share were RMB 0.350 (1H2017: RMB 0.231).
    --  In accordance with China Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises
        ("ASBE"), the Company's operating income reached RMB 1,300 billion.
        Operating profit was RMB 67.9 billion, surged by 51.3% year on year. Net
        profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company was RMB
        41.6 billion, up by 53.6% year on year. Basic earnings per share were
        RMB 0.344 (1H2017: RMB 0.224).
    --  In accordance with IFRS, the Company's liability-to-asset ratio was
        47.1%, reflecting a solid financial position. The Company's cash and
        cash equivalents (including time deposits) was RMB 205.2 billion,
        maintaining a healthy cash flow level.
    --  The Board of Directors declared an interim dividend of RMB 0.16 per
        share, up by 60.0% year on year.

Business Highlights:

In the first half of 2018, global economy recorded slow recovery, while China economy maintained a stable performance and secured progress in its economic development with gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.8%. While the domestic demand for oil products maintained steady growth, the market witnessed strong competition because of abundant supply. According to the statistics of NDRC, domestic consumption of refined oil products increased by 5.7% compared with the first half of 2017, among which gasoline consumption increased by 4.6%, consumption growth for kerosene and diesel was 10.9% and 5.6%, respectively. Domestic demand for natural gas recorded higher growth rate. Domestic consumption of major chemicals maintained significant growth with consumption of ethylene continued to report robust growth, and gross margin for chemical products remained at a high level.

    --  Exploration and Production: the Company promoted efficient exploration
        and effective production to increase proved reserves, reduced costs and
        expenses and achieved superior results in its upstream business. In
        exploration, the Company's continuing efforts in exploration paid off
        with major discoveries in a number of regions. In development, the
        Company adopted a profit oriented approach, in resumption of crude oil
        production. The Company also accelerated natural gas development by
        enhancing production-supply-storage-marketing system building to realise
        synergy along the entire value chain. In the first half of 2018, this
        segment recorded an Earnings Before Interest and Tax ("EBIT") of RMB 677
        million.
    --  Refining: the Company maintained high operational utilisation rates of
        refining facilities. Refined oil products mix has been optimized to
        address market demand changes, more high value-added products were
        produced. The Company actively promoted refined oil products quality
        upgrading and optimised crude oil sourcing to lower feedstock cost. The
        advantage of centralised marketing was given full play. In the first
        half of 2018, this segment recorded an EBIT of RMB 39.4 billion, surged
        by 32.3% year on year.
    --  Marketing and Distribution: the Company took full advantages of its
        integrated distribution network to actively respond to competitive
        market conditions, and achieved good operational results. The Company
        intensified its efforts to explore more markets, expanded retail scale,
        and achieved sustained growth in total domestic sales volume. The
        domestic sales volume of refined oil was 88.45 million tonnes, up by
        1.4% year on year. In the first half of 2018, the operating revenues and
        profit of non-fuel business were up 15.8% and 32.0%, respectively. This
        segment recorded an EBIT of RMB 18.3 billion, surged by 1.6% year on
        year.
    --  Chemicals: adhering to the "basic and high-end" development concept to
        adjust our feedstock structure and lower cost. The Company optimised
        product mix by enhancing the dynamic optimisation of facilities and
        product chains to provide more products needed by the market. The
        Company strengthened the integration among production, marketing, R&D,
        and application, and intensified efforts on R&D, production and sales of
        high value-added products. In the first half of 2018, this segment
        recorded an EBIT of RMB 18.9 billion, up by 14.5% year on year.

Mr. Dai Houliang, Chairman of Sinopec, said, "During the first half of 2018, we carried out businesses in a practical manner and fully realised the strengths of our integrated value chain. We secured stable and higher-quality growth of the Company along with improved performance. Looking into the second half of 2018, we expect China's economy to maintain steady growth and the demand for refined oil products and petrochemicals to increase steadily with more robust demand for high-end products. Along with the adjustments of China's energy structure, demand for natural gas will maintain robust growth. The Company will continue to focus on growth pattern upgrading, insist on specialized development, market-oriented operation, optimised global presence and integrated planning to enhance efficiency. This will strengthen our core competence and extending our value chain to middle-end and high-end, aiming to deliver better operating results and give back to our country, shareholders, employees, customers and the society."

Business Review

Exploration and Production

In the first half of 2018, capturing the recovery of crude oil price, the Company promoted efficient exploration and effective production to increase proved reserves, reduced costs and expenses and achieved good results. Our continuing efforts in exploration paid off with new oil and gas discoveries in Sichuan Basin, Tarim Basin, and Yin'e Basin. In development, we adopted a profit-oriented approach in resumption of crude oil production.) We also accelerated natural gas development by enhancing production-supply-storage-marketing system building to realise synergy along the entire value chain. Production in the first half of 2018 was 224.59 million barrels of oil equivalent, of which domestic crude production was 123.68 million barrels, overseas crude production was 19.95 million barrels, and total gas production was 476.2 billion cubic feet, increased by 5.3% compared to the same period of last year.

In the first half of 2018, operating revenues of the segment were RMB 87.9 billion, representing an increase of 18.6% year on year. This was mainly the increase of crude oil and natural gas prices as well as expansion of scale of natural gas and LNG business over the same period of 2017. In the first half of 2018, the oil and gas lifting cost was RMB 768 per tonne, representing an increase of 0.1% year on year. In the first half of 2018, the operating loss of the segment was RMB 0.4 billion, representing a decrease of RMB 17.9 billion compared with the same period of last year. This was mainly because the segment seised the opportunity of crude oil price recovery to promote efficient exploration and effective production and reduce costs and expenses and achieved good results.


    Exploration and Production:
     Summary of Operations

                                         Six-month period
                                         ended 30 June           Changes
                                         ----------------     -------

                                2018         2017          (%)
                                ----         ----          ---

    Oil and gas production (mmboe)         224.59       221.38           1.4
    -----------------------------          ------       ------           ---

    Crude oil production (mmbbls)          143.63       145.98         (1.6)
    ----------------------------           ------       ------          ----

    China                                  123.68       123.16           0.4
    -----                                  ------       ------           ---

    Overseas                                19.95        22.82        (12.6)
    --------                                -----        -----         -----

    Natural gas production (bcf)           476.20       452.12           5.3
    ---------------------------            ------       ------           ---

Refining

In the first half of 2018, with the market-oriented approach, we optimised product mix to produce more gasoline and jet fuel, and the diesel-to-gasoline ratio further decreased. We actively promoted the GB VI refined oil products quality upgrading. Export of refined oil products was increased to help maintain high utilisation of refining facilities. Crude oil sourcing and allocation optimisation continued to lower our feedstock cost. We comprehensively optimised our production plans to ensure safe and reliable operations. The advantage of centralised marketing was given full play, and profitability of LPG, asphalt, and sulphur maintained at a high level. In the first half of 2018, we processed 121 million tonnes of crude oil, and produced 76.37 million tonnes of refined oil products, with production of gasoline and kerosene up by 5.7% and 9.4% respectively from levels in the first half of 2017.

In the first half of 2018, operating revenues of the segment were RMB 593.3 billion, representing an increase of 21.5% year on year. This was mainly attributable to increased prices of refined oil products, and the high utilisation rate maintained by the Company by proactively confronting with the over-supplied market.

In the first half of 2018, the refining margin was RMB 544.1 per tonne, up by RMB 70.4 per tonne, representing an increase of 14.9% year on year, which was mainly because the Segment put great efforts to reduce crude oil purchasing cost and enhanced product mix by optimising operation schedule according to market demand. The Segment constantly optimised product mix, increased export of refined oil products, optimised crude oil sourcing to lower feedstock cost and achieved good result. In the first half of 2018, the segment realised an operating profit of RMB 38.9 billion, up by RMB 9.5 billion, representing an increase of 32.5% year on year.


    Refining: Summary of Operations                          Unit: Million Tonnes

                                          Six-month period
                                           ended 30 June                   Changes
                                         -----------------                 -------

                                    2018   2017          (%)
                                    ----   ----          ---

    Refinery throughput                  120.72       117.79                    2.5
    -------------------                  ------       ------                    ---

    Gasoline, diesel and
     kerosene production                  76.37        74.11                    3.0
    --------------------                  -----        -----                    ---

    Gasoline                              30.04        28.41                    5.7
    --------                              -----        -----                    ---

    Diesel                                32.09        32.67                  (1.8)
    ------                                -----        -----                   ----

    Kerosene                              14.25        13.03                    9.4
    --------                              -----        -----                    ---

    Light chemical feedstock
     production                           19.34        18.94                    2.1
    ------------------------              -----        -----                    ---

    Note: Includes 100% of
     production of domestic
     joint ventures.

Marketing and Distribution

In the first half of 2018, confronted with fierce competition, the Company brought our advantages in distribution network into full play, and achieved good operational results. We coordinated internal and external resources, intensified efforts to explore more markets, expanded retail scale, and achieved sustained growth in total domestic sales volume. We proactively promoted precision marketing and differentiated marketing, and improved our marketing network to reinforce existing advantages. The total sales volume of refined oil products in the first half of 2018 was 96.48 million tonnes, of which domestic sales accounted for 88.45 million tonnes, up by 1.4% year on year. We strengthened development of key convenience store goods and proprietary brand to promote a rapid growth of non-fuel business.

In the first half of 2018, the operating revenues of the segment were RMB 668.3 billion, increased by 10.3% year on year. This was mainly due to the increasing refined oil products prices and gasoline sales volume. In the first half of 2018, the segment brought our advantages in integrated business and distribution network into full play, enhanced efforts to optimise internal and external resources, actively responded to market rebalancing, expanded markets, balanced profits and volume and achieved good result. In the first half of 2018, the segment's operating profit was RMB 17.2 billion, up by RMB 0.6 billion, representing an increase of 3.7% year on year.


    Marketing and Distribution: Summary of Operations                                        Unit: Million Tonnes

                                                            Six-month period ended 30
                                                            June                                                                 Changes
                                                            -------------------------                                         -------

                                                      2018           2017                (%)
                                                      ----           ----                ---

    Total sales volume of refined oil products                      96.48              98.55                                        (2.1)
    ------------------------------------------                      -----              -----                                         ----

    Total domestic sales volume of refined oil                      88.45              87.22                                          1.4
    products
    --------                                                                                                                        ---

    Retail                                                          59.28              58.68                                          1.0
    ------                                                          -----              -----                                          ---

    Direct sales and Wholesale                                      29.16              28.54                                          2.2
    --------------------------                                      -----              -----                                          ---

    Annualised average throughput per station                       3,870              3,832                                          1.0
    (tonne/station)
    ---------------                                                                                                                 ---


                                                           As of 30 June        As of 31                       Change from
                                                                     2017     December 2016                   the end of last
                                                                                year?%?
                                                                                -------          -------

    Total number of Sinopec-branded service stations               30,645             30,633                                         0.04
    ------------------------------------------------               ------             ------                                         ----

    Number of Company-operated stations                            30,639             30,627                                         0.04
    -----------------------------------                            ------             ------                                         ----

    Number of convenience stores                                   26,424             25,775                                          2.5
    ----------------------------                                   ------             ------                                          ---

Chemicals

In the first half of 2018, we constantly fine-tuned chemical feedstock mix to further lower costs, optimised product mix by enhancing the dynamic optimisation of facilities and product chains to provide more products needed by the market. We strengthened the integration among production, marketing, R&D, and application, and intensified efforts on R&D, production and sales of high value-added products, with the ratio of specialty products of synthetic resin reached 64.0% and our differential ratio of synthetic fibre reached 90.3%. Ethylene production for the first half of 2018 was 5.786 million tonnes, up by 3.2% year on year. We coordinated internal and external resources, implemented precision marketing and further expanded the market, with total chemical sales volume increased by 14.1% from the corresponding period in 2017 to 42.56 million tonnes.

In the first half of 2018, operating revenues of the chemicals segment were RMB 256.3 billion, representing an increase of 23.0% year on year, which was mainly due to increased petrochemical products sales volume and prices year on year as the Company seised market opportunities to expand market, promote sales and optimise structure. In the first half of 2018, the segment seized the opportunity of good margin, continued the 'basic and high-end' chemical business development concept, strengthened the integration among production, sales, R&D and application, further promoted optimisation of feedstock, product and facilities to lower feedstock cost, increase high value added products' proportion and achieved good result. The segment's operating profit in the first half of 2018 was RMB 15.8 billion, up by RMB 3.6 billion, representing an increase of 29.7% year on year.


    Major Chemical Products: Summary of Operations      Unit: 1,000 tonnes

                                     Six-month period
                                      ended 30 June                 Changes
                                    -----------------               -------

               2018                   2017         (%)
               ----                   ----         ---

    Ethylene                         5,786       5,609                   3.2
    --------                         -----       -----                   ---

    Synthetic resin                  8,068       7,802                   3.4
    ---------------                  -----       -----                   ---

    Synthetic fiber monomer
     and polymer                     4,601       4,659                 (1.2)
    -----------------------          -----       -----                  ----

    Synthetic fiber                    603         616                 (2.1)
    ---------------                    ---         ---                  ----

    Synthetic rubber                   405         412                 (1.7)
    ----------------                   ---         ---                  ----

    Note: Includes 100% of
     production of domestic
     joint ventures.

Safety Management and Environmental Protection

The Company prioritised safe production and intensified safety supervision. In the first half of this year, we promote the construction of tiered risk control and operation hazard identification, prevention and rectification system. We advanced safety control of contractors and on-site operation, enhanced process safety of chemicals business, security and staff healthy management, and further consolidated the foundation of safe production at operational level. Above all, we achieved safe production and operations.

The Company actively implemented its green and low-carbon strategy and launched "Green Enterprise Campaign". We effectively carried out pollution prevention and control and constantly pushed forward energy efficiency improvement. We also accelerated carbon asset management and made great progress in energy and environment work.

Capital Expenditures

Focusing on quality and return on investment, the Company continuously optimised its investment projects. In the first half of 2018, total capital expenditures were RMB 23.687 billion. Capital expenditures for the exploration and production segment were RMB 10.762 billion, mainly for oil and gas capacity building, Wen 23 Gas Storage Project, Erdos-Anping-Cangzhou Gas Pipeline Project, the first phase of Xinjiang Coal Gas Pipeline Project as well as overseas projects. Capital expenditures for the refining segment were RMB 4.61 billion, mainly for the Zhongke integrated refining and chemical project, product mix optimisation of Zhenhai, Maoming and Tianjin, and GB VI gasoline and diesel quality upgrading projects. Capital expenditures for the marketing and distribution segment were RMB 5.373 billion, mainly for constructing refined oil products depots, pipelines and service stations and revamping of underground oil tanks, as well as other safety and environmental protection hazard removal projects. Capital expenditures for the chemicals segment were RMB 2.635 billion, mainly for integrated refining and chemical projects of Zhongke and ulei, high-efficiency and environmental friendly aromatics project in Hainan and Zhong'an United Coal Chemical project. Capital expenditures for corporate and others were RMB 307 million, mainly for R&D facilities and information technology application projects.

Business Prospects

Looking into the second half of 2018, we expect China's economy to maintain steady growth and the demand for refined oil products and petrochemicals to increase steadily with more robust demand for high-end products. Along with the adjustments of China's energy structure, demand for natural gas will maintain robust growth. For the second half of 2018, the uncertainty of international crude oil prices will increase due to trade frictions and geopolitical tensions.

Confronted with the present situation, the Company will integrate reform, management, innovation and development, to fully improve operational performances, expand markets, reduce costs, prevent risks and realise structural adjustments. Our focuses are on the following aspects:

For Exploration and Production, we will continue to advance high-efficiency exploration, profitable production and cost reduction. In crude oil development, we will accelerate profitable development of new oilfields and resumed production of suspended wells, deepen the structural adjustments of mature fields, and increase yields of profitable crude oil. In natural gas development, we will advance key projects for capacity construction, enhance the efficiency and quality of developed gas fields, as well as promote synergy of production, supply, storage and marketing to push forward the development of natural gas. In the second half of 2018, we plan to produce 146 million barrels of crude oil, of which domestic production will account for 125 million barrels and overseas production will account for 21 million barrels. We plan to produce 497.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas during the period.

For Refining, with efficiency-oriented approach, we will optimise our production plans based on market demand to consolidate our competitive advantages in refining business. We will continue to adjust our product mix by further lowering the diesel-to-gasoline ratio and increasing the production of gasoline, jet fuel and light chemical feedstock. We will complete GB VI refined oil products upgrading project as scheduled. We will fully optimise operations and ensure safe and stable production, and we plan to process 121 million tonnes of crude oil in the second half of the year.

For Marketing and Distribution, we will intensify our marketing strategy of balancing profit and volume by optimising resources allocation and operational efficiency. We will make efforts to expand retail scale through implementing precision marketing as well as differentiated marketing. We will further improve our marketing network to reinforce existing advantages and enhance the ability of exporting refined oil products. We will push forward the construction and operation of natural gas stations and expand natural gas market for automobiles. We will take the advantage of "Internet +" marketing strategy and accelerate the development and marketing of proprietary brand and products to advance the growth of non-fuel business. In the second half, we plan to sell 90.50 million tonnes of refined oil products in the domestic market in the second half of 2018.

For Chemicals, we will focus on the "basic and high-end" development concept to adjust our feedstock structure and lower cost. We will fine-tune our product slate, improve the coordination among mechanism combining production, marketing, research and application, advance new product development, promotion and application, and deliver more high-end products. We will put more emphasis on the dynamic optimisation of facilities and product chains and improving the utilisation and production scheduling based on market demands. Meanwhile, we will promote the precision marketing and services, improve customer services and provide total solutions and value-added services. We plan to produce 5.734 million tonnes of ethylene in the second half of 2018.

In the second half of the year, the Company will continue to focus on growth pattern upgrading, insist on specialized development, market-oriented operation, optimised global presence and integrated planning to enhance efficiency and deliver superior operating results.


    Appendix: Key financial data and indicators
    -------------------------------------------


    FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASBE
    --------------------------------------------------------------


    Principal accounting data

    Items                                                             Six-month periods ended 30 June            Changes

                                                                                                             over the same
                                                                                                             period of the
                                                                                                            preceding year
                                                                                                                  (%)
    ---                                                            ---                                                            ---

                                                  2018                                              2017

                                               RMB million                      RMB million
                                               -----------                      -----------

    Operating income                                                      1,300,252               1,165,837                  11.5
    ----------------                                                      ---------               ---------                  ----

    Net profit attributable to equity                                        41,600                  27,092                  53.6
    shareholders of the Company
    ---------------------------                                                                                             ---

    Net profit attributable to equity                                        39,791                  26,099                  52.5
    shareholders of the Company

    after deducting extraordinary
    gain/loss items
    ---------------                                                                                                         ---

    Net cash flows from operating                                            71,620                  60,847                  17.7
    activities
    ----------                                                                                                              ---

                                                                   At 30 June 2018    At 31 December 2017        Change from
                                                                                      the end of last year
                                                                      RMB million          RMB million               (%)
                                                                      -----------          -----------               ---

    Total equity attributable to equity                                     721,193                 727,244                 (0.8)
    shareholders of the Company
    ---------------------------                                                                                             ---

    Total assets                                                          1,617,304               1,595,504                   1.4
    ------------                                                          ---------               ---------                   ---


    Principal financial indicators

    Items                                                             Six-month periods ended 30 June            Changes

                                                                                                             over the same
                                                                                                             period of the
                                                                                                            preceding year
                                                                                                                  (%)
    ---                                                            ---                                                            ---

                                                  2018                                              2017

                                                   RMB                              RMB
                                                   ---                              ---

    Basic earnings per share                                                  0.344                   0.224                  53.6
    ------------------------                                                  -----                   -----                  ----

    Diluted earnings per share                                                0.344                   0.224                  53.6
    --------------------------                                                -----                   -----                  ----

    Basic earnings per share after deducting                                  0.329                   0.216                  52.5
    extraordinary gain/loss items
    -----------------------------                                                                                           ---

    Weighted average return on net assets (%)                                 5.74                    3.79       1.95 percentage
                                                                                                                       points
    ---                                                                                                ---               ------

    Weighted average return on net assets after                                5.49                    3.65       1.84 percentage
    deducting extraordinary gain/loss items (%)                                                                        points
    -------------------------------------------                                                        ---               ------


    FINANCIAL DATA AND INDICATORS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH IFRS
    --------------------------------------------------------------


    Principal accounting data

    Items                                                               Six-month periods ended 30 June            Changes

                                                                                                               over the same
                                                                                                               period of the
                                                                                                            preceding year
                                                                                                                 (%)
    ---                                                            ---                                                           ---

                                              2018                                                  2017

                                           RMB million                          RMB million
                                           -----------                          -----------

    Operating Profit                                                         61,576                  39,309                 56.6
    ----------------                                                         ------                  ------                 ----

    Profit attributable to owners of the                                     42,386                  27,915                 51.8
    Company
    -------                                                                                                                ---

    Net cash generated from operating                                        71,620                  60,847                 17.7
    activities
    ----------                                                                                                             ---

                                                                   At 30 June 2018    At 31 December 2017    Changes from the
                                                                                        end of last year
                                                                      RMB million          RMB million              (%)
                                                                      -----------          -----------              ---

    Total equity attributable to owners of the                              720,113                 726,120                (0.8)
    Company
    -------                                                                                                                ---

    Total assets                                                          1,617,304               1,595,504                  1.4
    ------------                                                          ---------               ---------                  ---


    Principal financial indicators

    Items                                                             Six-month periods ended 30 June           Changes

                                                                                                            over the same
                                                                                                            period of the
                                                                                                            preceding year
                                                                                                                 (%)
    ---                                                            ---                                                           ---

                                              2018                                                  2017

                                               RMB                                  RMB
                                               ---                                  ---

    Basic earnings per share                                                  0.350                   0.231                 51.8
    ------------------------                                                  -----                   -----                 ----

    Diluted earnings per share                                                0.350                   0.231                 51.8
    --------------------------                                                -----                   -----                 ----

    Return on capital employed (%)                                            6.48                    4.39      2.09 percentage
                                                                                                                      points
    ---                                                                                                ---              ------

The following table sets forth the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating profit/(loss) by each segment before elimination of the inter-segment transactions for the periods indicated, and the percentage changes between the first half of 2018 and the first half of 2017.


                               Six-month periods ended 30
                                          June                 Changes
                              ---------------------------      -------

                      2018                                2017
                      ----                                ----

                  RMB million             (%)
                  -----------             ---

    Exploration
     and
     Production
     Segment
    -----------

    Operating
     revenues                                           87,924            74,109     18.6
    ---------                                           ------            ------     ----

    Operating
     expenses                                           88,336            92,443    (4.4)
    ---------                                           ------            ------     ----

    Operating
     (loss)/profit                                       (412)         (18,334)       -
    --------------                                        ----           -------      ---

    Add: Share
     of
     profits/
     (losses)
     from
     associates
     and joint
     ventures                                            1,087               875     24.2
    -----------                                          -----               ---     ----

    Add:
     Investment
     income/
     (loss)                                                  2                48   (95.8)
    -----------                                            ---               ---    -----

    EBIT                                                   677          (17,411)       -
    ----                                                   ---           -------      ---

    Refining
     Segment
    --------

    Operating
     revenues                                          593,327           488,172     21.5
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     expenses                                          554,395           458,779     20.8
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     profit                                             38,932            29,393     32.5
    ---------                                           ------            ------     ----

    Add: Share
     of profits
     from
     associates
     and joint
     ventures                                              487               409     19.1
    -----------                                            ---               ---     ----

    Add:
     Investment
     income/
     (loss)                                                 12                10     20.0
    -----------                                            ---               ---     ----

    EBIT                                                39,431            29,812     32.3
    ----                                                ------            ------     ----

    Marketing
     and
     Distribution
     Segment
    -------------

    Operating
     revenues                                          668,325           605,960     10.3
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     expenses                                          651,139           589,394     10.5
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     profit                                             17,186            16,566      3.7
    ---------                                           ------            ------      ---

    Add: Share
     of profits
     from
     associates
     and joint
     ventures                                            1,125             1,416   (20.6)
    -----------                                          -----             -----    -----

    Add:
     Investment
     income                                                 11                48   (77.1)
    -----------                                            ---               ---    -----

    EBIT                                                18,322            18,030      1.6
    ----                                                ------            ------      ---

    Chemicals
     Segment
    ---------

    Operating
     revenues                                          256,268           208,429     23.0
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     expenses                                          240,504           196,272     22.5
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     profit                                             15,764            12,157     29.7
    ---------                                           ------            ------     ----

    Add: Share
     of profits
     from
     associates
     and joint
     ventures                                            3,137             4,242   (26.0)
    -----------                                          -----             -----    -----

    Add:
     Investment
     income                                                 13               115   (88.7)
    -----------                                            ---               ---    -----

    EBIT                                                18,914            16,514     14.5
    ----                                                ------            ------     ----

    Corporate
     and others
    -----------

    Operating
     revenues                                          585,443           488,015     20.0
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     expenses                                          589,897           487,276     21.1
    ---------                                          -------           -------     ----

    Operating
     profit                                            (4,454)              739        -
    ---------                                           ------               ---      ---

    Add: Share
     of profits
     from
     associates
     and joint
     ventures                                              782               709     10.3
    -----------                                            ---               ---     ----

    Add:
     Investment
     income                                                802                65  1,133.8
    -----------                                            ---               ---  -------

    EBIT                                               (2,870)            1,513  (289.7)
    ----                                                ------             -----   ------

    Elimination
     of inter-
     segment                                           (5,440)          (1,212)       -

    profit/(loss)
    -------------

About Sinopec Corp.

Sinopec Corp. is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in China. Its principal operations include the exploration and production, pipeline transportation and sale of petroleum and natural gas; the sale, storage and transportation of petroleum products, petrochemical products, coal chemical products, synthetic fibre and other chemical products; the import and export, including an import and export agency business, of petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemical and chemical products, and other commodities and technologies; and research, development and application of technologies and information.

Sinopec Corp. sets 'fueling beautiful life' as its corporate mission, puts 'people, responsibility, integrity, precision, innovation and win-win' as its corporate core values, pursues strategies of value-orientation, innovation-driven development, integrated resource allocation, open cooperation, and green and low-carbon growth, and strives to achieve its corporate vision of building a world leading energy and chemical company.

Disclaimer

This press release includes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that Sinopec Corp. expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including but not limited to projections, targets, reserve volume, other estimates and business plans) are forward-looking statements. Sinopec Corp.'s actual results or developments may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including but not limited to the price fluctuation, possible changes in actual demand, foreign exchange rate, results of oil exploration, estimates of oil and gas reserves, market shares, competition, environmental risks, possible changes to laws, finance and regulations, conditions of the global economy and financial markets, political risks, possible delay of projects, government approval of projects, cost estimates and other factors beyond Sinopec Corp.'s control. In addition, Sinopec Corp. makes the forward-looking statements referred to herein as of today and undertakes no obligation to update these statements.


    Investor Inquiries:     Media Inquiries:

    Beijing

    Tel: (86 10) 5996 0028  Tel: (86 10) 5996 0028

    Fax: (86 10) 5996 0386  Fax: (8610) 5996 0386

    Email: ir@sinopec.com   Email: ir@sinopec.com


    Hong Kong

    Tel: (852) 2824 2638    Tel: (852) 2522 1838

    Fax: (852) 2824 3669    Fax: (852) 2521 9955

    Email: ir@sinopechk.com Email: sinopec@prchina.com.hk

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinopecs-profit-for-1h2018-up-52-with-dividend-payout-surges-60-300702434.html

SOURCE China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation