PetroChina Company Limited (SEHK 0857; NYSE PTR) reported a net profit of RMB45.29 billion for the first half of 2004, up 17.3% from the same period last year. (US$1=RMB8.27). Turnover grew 21.4% to RMB179.55 billion. The company said the results were its best since listing in the late 1990s. Basic earnings per share were RMB0.26,…