Jointventure partner Altona Energy revealed CNOOC's exit on Monday,saying both companies had mutually agreed to the withdrawal whichwill see CNOOC's 51% stake in the project handed over to Altona

Thepair signed an agreement in 2010 for CNOOC to take a 51% operatedstake in Altona's Arckaringa exploration licences in exchange fortaking responsibility forassessing the full potential of the coal resourceof the licences.

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