China's CNPC reports US$254 mil. quake losses

China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) said last week's earthquake in gas-rich southwest China cost it estimated losses of 1.78 billion yuan (US$254.3 million) and the lives of at least five staff. China's largest oil and gas producer said facilities in quake-hit regions, including oil and gas fields, refineries, and oil depots were damaged by the massive quake, according to a statement posted on its website late Monday.