First phase of joint marine survey complete By Wang Ying (China Daily) Updated: 2005-11-17 05:56
A part of the joint marine seismic undertaking in the disputed South China
Sea area, the first phase of the three-year offshore collaboration agreement,
signed in March, was completed yesterday, according to China National Offshore
Oil Corp (CNOOC).
China Oilfield Services Ltd (COSL), a major CNOOC subsidiary, is the operator
of the marine seismic undertaking. The company had collected two-dimensional
seismic data covering 11,020 kilometres by yesterday.
According to the accord inked by China, the Philippines and Viet Nam, they
will jointly gather two-dimensional and three-dimensional seismic data in the
140,000-square kilometres offshore area of the South China Sea within three
years.
"Since the beginning of the joint undertaking, the three governments of
China, the Philippines and Viet Nam have given great support to three
state-owned oil companies in the exploration partnership, and the project has
proceeded smoothly," CNOOC said in a statement.
The Beijing-based oil company said the partnership, based on the principle of
"putting aside disputes and jointly developing resources," represents an
important step of the three countries to jointly implement the Declaration on
the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
The declaration, signed between China and members of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations in 2002, is a major political document on resolving
disputes in the South China Sea by peaceful means.
(China Daily 11/17/2005 page2)
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