BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the country's largest offshore oil company, announced Monday it had signed a big deal to explore petroleum in Nigeria.

    The agreement was signed between China National Offshore Oil Company Limited, a subsidiary of the CNOOC, and South Atlantic Petroleum Limited. Offering 2.268 billion U.S. dollars, the Chinese company acquired 45 percent of the stake for oil mining license "OML 130" in Nigeria. Enditem