The Ministry of Commerce said it has granted a second batch of licenses for companies seeking to engage in crude oil sales and storage operations. Among the firms to be licensed are China National Petroleum Corp and China PetroChemical Corp.

In July, PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC Refining, Sinochem International and China Arts Huahai Import & Export Corp, were in the first group to be licensed.

According to the statement, three more private companies have won rights to run wholesale operations in oil products.

An additional three private firms have won rights for oil product storage operations, the ministry said.

The government released new rules governing oil product vendors early this year, allowing them to engage in wholesale operations if they obtain a license.

Foreign entities are not permitted to have controlling interests in firms engaged in the wholesale or retail oil products operations.

Previously, only China National Petroleum Corp and Sinopec Corp were permitted to conduct oil product wholesale operations.