CNOOC issues exploration tender, includes South China sea blocks

Reuters
Security personnel stand next to snowmen at the entrance of China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) office tower in Beijing, March 20, 2013. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - State-run CNOOC , China's top offshore oil producer, has issued a tender to invite foreign firms to bid for oil and gas blocks in the East and South China Sea, according to a statement on the company website. CNOOC said it would offer 25 offshore blocks for foreign participation this year, including 17 in the South China Sea and three in the East China Sea. (Reporting by Fayen Wong and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Alan Raybould)