Announcement of Petrovietnam to the international petroleum contractors

To whom it may concern
           
On June 23, 2012, the China Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) released an invitation of international bids for the 9 blocks of JY22, HY10, HY34, BS16, DW04, DW22, YQX18, RJ03 and RJ27 for petroleum exploration in 2012 with foreign companies. In this connection, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) has the honour to advise as follows:

1-     All the petroleum blocks offered by CNOOC for international bids fall entirely within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as provided for in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Petrovietnam is currently cooperating with its foreign partners to conduct normal oil and gas activities in this area.

2-     Petrovietnam confirms that this is not a disputed area and not one that CNOOC could boast of its right to allocate the blocks and/or call for international bids. The invitation for international bids conducted by CNOOC over the above-mentioned 9 blocks is a serious violation of international law and Vietnam’s sovereignty right, jurisdiction right and legitimate national interest as stipulated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  

3-     Petrovietnam has requested CNOOC to abrogate such illegal invitation for international bids and not to complicate normal oil and gas activities of Petrovietnam and its partners in this area. We will continue to conduct our oil and gas activities and to protect the legitimate interest of our partners in this area. We kindly request all oil and gas companies to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and jurisdiction rights by not participating in such biddings over the aforementioned blocks.

Petrovietnam avails itself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of its highest consideration.

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