Apr. 10, 2008 (China Knowledge) - China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC)<883><CEO>, the third-largest national oil company and the biggest builder of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the country, may ink deal to buy LNG from Qatar today, said President Fu Chengyu.

Without giving a specific volume of the potential purchase, Fu said CNOOC will pay Qatar the market prices. The two countries will host a signing ceremony in Beijing today. Xinhua news agency said last month that China and Qatar signed an initial deal to expand energy cooperation.

It was also reported that Jiang Jiemin, chairman of PetroChina Co<601857><857><PTR>, held separate talks with Qatari officials yesterday.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jaber al-Thani and its oil minister Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyahare on a visit to China this week.