Emerging
Published Jun 23, 2026Updated Jun 231
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Four Former CNOOC Executives Placed Under Investigation in China's Energy Sector Graft Crackdown
Four former executives of China National Offshore Oil Corp. have been placed under investigation for suspected violations of discipline and law by China's anti-corruption authority, as part of a broader crackdown sweeping through the state-controlled energy sector that has already targeted multiple senior officials across major oil and gas companies.
Quick Facts
- Four former CNOOC executives placed under investigation
- Anti-corruption crackdown in energy sector
- Investigation announced for suspected serious violations of discipline and law
- Multiple investigations across state-owned oil and gas companies
- Zi Shilong
China's top anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), has announced investigations into four former executives of China National Offshore Oil Corp. Ltd. (CNOOC) for "suspected serious violations of discipline and law," marking the latest phase of an intensifying graft crackdown across the country's state-controlled energy sector.
The four targeted individuals are Zi Shilong, former deputy general manager of CNOOC's department of legal and foreign affairs; Cao Shujie, former external director of CNOOC's group office and former subsidiary director; Yu Guimin, ex-Communist Party committee member, deputy general manager and chief engineer of CNOOC's Tianjin branch; and Deng Jianming, former deputy general manager at the engineering and technical department of CNOOC Ltd., the company's publicly listed arm. The CCDI announced these investigations in separate notices on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, though specific reasons for the probes were not disclosed.
This investigation represents a continuation of broader anti-corruption efforts across China's oil and gas industry. Earlier in 2024, other senior executives from CNOOC and peer state-owned enterprises faced similar scrutiny. In February, Wang Yilin, former chairman and Communist Party chief of China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), was placed under investigation four years after his retirement. Within CNOOC specifically, investigations into Fang Zhi, a former vice president, and Li Yong, a former deputy Communist Party head and general manager, were launched in March 2024. Additionally, Duan Yanxiu, former party head of Sinopec's natural gas business unit, faced investigation as part of the same enforcement wave.
The crackdown reflects Beijing's sustained focus on combating corruption within strategic state-owned enterprises, particularly in the energy sector, which remains central to China's economy and geopolitical positioning. The investigations signal that no executive level is immune from scrutiny, regardless of retirement status or seniority.
Why This Matters
This investigation signals Beijing's unwavering commitment to rooting out corruption in strategic state-owned enterprises, particularly the energy sector that underpins China's economy and geopolitical influence. The targeting of senior executives regardless of retirement status or tenure demonstrates that no official is beyond the reach of anti-corruption enforcement, which has significant implications for corporate governance, investor confidence, and the stability of major energy infrastructure. For businesses operating in or with Chinese energy companies, this crackdown underscores the importance of compliance and the risks associated with political instability within state-owned sectors.
Timeline & Sources
Jul 9, 2024
WireCCDI announced investigations into four former CNOOC executives: Zi Shilong, Cao Shujie, Yu Guimin, and Deng Jianming