China, Canada seek crude off Cuba, but not US

[IChing]

HAVANA (AFP) - China will send 12 hi-tech rigs to drill for oil in Cuban waters of the Gulf of Mexico, officials have confirmed, irking US lawmakers that US firms cannot prospect in nearby US waters.

Cuba has stepped up work on a total of 36 new oil wells with Chinese companies and Canada's Sherritt, about four kilometers (2.5 miles) off the north coast, officials said privately.

The communist Cuban government is generally tight-lipped about oil matters but this week has been more public. The party newspaper, Granma, gave uncharacteristic front page play to news of the well, drilled to a record depth for Cuba, near Varadero east of Havana.

And diplomatic sources on Thursday said that India's ONGC Videsh and Norway's Norsk Hydro would join forces with Spain's Repsol to seek crude in the Gulf of Mexico.>>>snip

http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/060512014824.9ng1prfd.html

[cliss]

1. Getting a little close to home, eh Bush?

Are you getting a little sweaty around the collar? Don't forget: you escalated this Black Gold treasure hunt.

Things were heating up before you took office, but you took the Oil Hunt to a new level and you polarized the entire world against you.

Feeling upset? It's nothing compared to what you will feel as Chinese oil tankers fill up, right in Jeb's back yard.

[Mika]

2. Some repugs want to get in on the action..

DU thread- A Cuban deal for oil drilling draws interest (repugs want Cuba ban lifted)