China’s top offshore operator CNOOC Ltd is completing a final review of two competing schemes to develop the Liuhua 16-2 oil complex in the South China Sea, with a decision expected in the second half of this year.

Sources told Upstream that CNOOC Shenzhen, which is spearheading the development and other projects in the eastern part of the South China Sea, has submitted two alternative proposals to senior CNOOC management for approval.

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