CNOOC Ltd said the company has made 10 new oil and gas discoveries in offshore China so far this year.

Of the 10 discoveries, 9 of them were founded independently, it said in a statement.

In the first half of 2007, benefiting from in-depth exploration research and intensive offshore exploration operations, the company made six independent oil and gas discoveries including Bozhong28-2 East, Bozhong26-3, Jinzhou25-1, Weizhou11-7, Weizhou11-8, and Weizhou6-1South.

Through cooperation with a partner, the Kenli20-1 was also discovered.

Three more independent discoveries took place in the second half, namely PanYu10-2, Panyu11-5 and Weizhou11-2.

Additionally, the company has also made successful appraisals of seven oil and gas structures during the year to date.

Production exploration activities were carried out over Bohai Bay this year with five oil and gas discoveries, it added.