BP gas find

BRITISH Petroleum has made what it believes is a significant natural gas discovery in the South China Sea, in waters claimed by both China and Vietnam. The find could aggravate tensions between the two countries.

BP said the gas was under very high pressure and that the company was trying to tame a 'blow-out' at the Lan Tay-1 offshore exploration well. BP claimed it could mark a potentially large find. But the well is close to the contested Spratly Islands, and oil companies fear they are being used as proxies in a war of sovereignty in the area between China and Vietnam.