In spite of Te Duong Dara's denial, Hun Sen's regime to sign mainland oil and gas deal after the election with France and China

France, China to sign oil and gas deal with Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Jun 13, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- France's oil and gas company TOTAL and China National Offshore Oil Corporation CNOOC are expected to sign a deal with Cambodia to explore oil and gas on the mainland of Cambodia.

The signing ceremony will take place this year, following the conclusion of Cambodia's parliamentary election scheduled on July 27.

Currently, other oil and gas companies in the world such as Moeco, Jogmec, GS Gallex, Pan Orient and Inpex are working with Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA) to reach agreements on oil and gas exploration in the country.

Oil Contracts Remain a 'Mystery': Lawmaker

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report of Phnom Penh
12 June 2008

Cambodian National Petroleum Authority denied to comment on media reports Thursday that two companies were close to signing drilling contracts for onshore oil exploration.

France's Total and the government Chinese national Offshore Oil Corp near deals for onshore exploration, the Cambodia Daily reported Thursday.

Petroleum authority chief Te Doung Dara would not confirm the report.

Sok Sina, an independent economic analyst, said the government should show the contracts to the public for consideration before signing them.

Eng Chhay Ieng, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party, called the agreement a "mystery" related to corruption.

"Because we are the MPs, want to know the agreement," he said, "and the government must show us what they will do and what the meaning of the agreement is."

Chinese oil exploration ship arrives in Cambodia

Chinese oild exploration ship, the BINHAI 517, is seen docking in the Sihanoukville seaport (Photo: Ta Som, Koh Santepheap)

Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An oil exploration ship belonging to the People’s Republic of China has arrived in the port of Sihanoukville, in the afternoon of 07 January 2008 to conduct an oil exploration in the Cambodian seas. The ship will perform its exploration, based on an agreement with the Royal Government of Cambodia, in Cambodia Bloc F, extending from in front of the seaport built by Oknha Mong Riththy to Koh Rong Islands. The ship will conduct its exploration for a 20-day period, starting from 08 January. Exploration in Cambodia Bloc F revealed that natural gas was found and can be exploited, this is the reason of the Chinese ship visit. The Chinese ship will also provide a more accurate account of oil estimate prior to official oil extraction. The ship is manned by 37 Chinese experts who will be participating in the exploration.

CNOOC Signs PSC Contract with Cambodia [-for offshore Block F]

Monday, June 11, 2007
Xinhua Economic News

CNOOC Group, parent company of CNOOC, recently signed the first production sharing contract with the related department of Cambodian government. A second agreement may follow within weeks, according to a report by a Chinese energy website.

The report said that CNOOC Group signed the contract for offshore Block F in late May and is to undertake six-month oil and gas exploration in Cambodia.

And it is said that the two sides are likely to sign a second contract for Block 13 in Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia at the end of June and or the beginning of July.

CNOOC Group and Cambodia National Petroleum Authority singed a letter of intention in July last year for oil and gas exploration in Cambodia.