Chinese equipment, featuring lower prices and better quality, are gaining popularity among the oil producers in the Middle East, the main source of crude oil, Chinanews.com reported Thursday.

China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd (CPP), which specializes in pipeline project construction, has cemented its market in the Middle East with an increasing number of construction projects, said Xue Feng, deputy general manager of CPP, adding that the company has been promoting Chinese brands and now over 60 percent of the equipment for many of the region’s projects (and even up to 80 percent) are made in China.

CPP started to explore the Saudi Arabian market in 2016. Its automated welding machines and X-ray crawlers made its name by improving welding efficiency and advancing the pipeline inspection process for Arabian American Oil Company, an oil producer with one of the world’s largest reserves. Another two projects from the same client were awarded to CPP last year, showing recognition of China’s automated welding equipment.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, CPP has established cooperation with its counterparts in Iraq, another crude oil producer, and also introduced Chinese brands including Baosteel and some domestic steel pipe companies to the local petroleum companies.

CPP has helped save the procurement costs for Middle East companies, and also sold Chinese brands to this region, said Xue Feng.

Photo: Made-in-China welding equipment working at a construction site in Saudi Arabia/ Chinanews.com