PetroChina Company Limited

Arrow Energy Limited (ASX:AOE) said its subsidiary Arrow Energy (Dajing) Pte Ltd has signed a 30 year production sharing contract (PSC) with Chinese energy giant PetroChina (NYSE:PTR) (HKG:0857) (SHA:601857) for the Dajing block in China.

Asian shares are set for a weak start on Monday after US markets fell on lower commodities prices and Greek debt concerns. Japanese market today is closed for Vernal Equinox Day. Most Asian markets gained on Friday. Japan's Nikkei index rose 0.8 per cent while weakness in yen boosted exporters. China's Shanghai Composite was also higher, with Alunimium Corp of China surged 10 per cent on Friday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.2 per cent and South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.7 per cent.

A cautious start is expected in Asian markets Tuesday while Wall Street took a breather after recent gains and closed slightly lower overnight. Asian stocks rallied on Monday, led by resources sector which was helped by higher commodities prices. Australian market posted a seventh consecutive day of gains yesterday. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 2.1 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index advanced nearly 2 per cent, South Korea's Kospi was up 1.56 per cent and China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.7 per cent.

The Australian share market declined on Wednesday as miners were lowered on China's move to tighten monetary policy, which hit commodities prices. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 31.4 points, or 0.6 per cent, at 4868.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index retreated 31.5 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4900.1.

The Australian shares edged higher on the first trading day of 2010. Energy stocks surged amid expectations the oil price will continue to rise this year. At the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index advanced 5.7 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 4876.3 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 7.1 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 4889.8.

Wall Street rose on Friday led by technology shares after Oracle and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings reports. For the week, the Dow fell 1.3 per cent, the S&P trimmed 0.3 per cent and the Nasdaq rose 1 per cent.

US stocks soared on Friday after the Labor Department data showed that job cuts fell sharply in November. The news fuelled the expectations that the US Federal Reserve might consider increasing interest rates.

US shares rebounded on Monday after a losing week hit by a series of disappointing economic reports. The market gained as Goldman Sachs recommended large banks and a report showed service industries returned to growth after 11 months of contraction.

Chevron Australia Ltd has signed gas deals worth A$70 billion to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan and South Korea, the world's two largest LNG import markets.

Most Asian markets opened firmer Thursday following Wall Street's rebound overnight lifted by better-than-expected economic figures.