ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) will explore for onshore shale gas assets with Sinopec Group in China.

Sinopec, based in Beijing, said its Sinopec Exploration Southern Company will conduct shale gas exploration with ConocoPhillips' Chinese subsidiary in the Sichuan Basin, Rigzone reports.

Houston-based ConocoPhillips will conduct surveys and drill a pair of wells, in the Qijiang block, the report said.

China's burgeoning population growth and fast-growing economy has dramatically increased fuel demands, and created a sense of urgency to become more self-sufficient in terms of energy production, with North American companies looking to use their knowledge of hydraulic fracturing techniques to get in on the action.

The China Perspective reports that 83 companies made 152 bids for 20 shale gas blocks in China in September and October alone.

The Wall Street Journal reports that China wants to double the use of natural gas for the country's energy needs by 2020 in order to reduce the use of coal. Coal accounts for 70 percent of the country's overall energy usage, the Journal reported.

Still, the Journal also reported that U.S. companies are finding that approvals for these joint venture deals are painstakingly slow.