The Chairman of China Petrochemical Corporation, Sinopec Group, Mr. Fu Chengyu, recently received Energy Intelligence Group's "Petroleum Executive of the Year" award in London, in recognition of outstanding leadership from an executive in that industry.

The award was given out by Energy Intelligence Group, based on the votes of previous laureates and senior oil industry executives, making him the first Chinese entrepreneur to earn the award in 15 years.

Fu graduated from China's Northeast Petroleum Institute majoring in geology, and later received a Master's Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Southern California in the United States.

Sinopec is present in several African countries, including Nigeria, through its subsidiaries and through Sinopec International Exploration and Production Corporation (SIPC), which counts amongst its most active divisions Addax Petroleum, which has been active in Nigeria, since 1998.

Before joining Sinopec, Fu had worked at China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) since 1982, holding the positions of chairman and chief executive officer from 2003 to 2010. Since assuming the role of chairman of Sinopec in 2011, Fu has used his experience in overseas mergers and acquisitions to further enhance the group's internationalisation strategy.

China Petroleum Corporation, (the Sinopec Group), is a Chinese, state-owned company the largest refiner in Asia.