A group of sixteen employees from China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec) have become the first graduates of the Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO) programme run by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

With China looking to develop the skills of its national oil and gas workforce as it continues to expand its industrial operations, the company has sent hundreds of professionals overseas, including to the United States, to benefit from such training programmes.

Under this latest initiative, the 16 workers signed up to the programme in April, since when they have completed more than 300 hours of safety-specific training at the institute's utilities and public board training school as well as its emergency services training facilities.

Commenting on the accomplishment, project manager Brad Novotny said: "Sinopec is already in talks about sending a second group of 22 managers in October to continue in the CSHO program, and with the joint cooperation and deliveries of the three divisions, TEEX is looking at the potential expansion of training beyond the CSHO."

The news comes as Sinopec has warned of a likely profit fall of 50 per cent in comparison to last year, citing government controls which limit its abilities to pass on the soaring cost of crude oil onto its customers.