Husky says makes major gas find off China

CALGARY, Alberta, June 15 (Reuters) Husky Energy Inc. has made a natural gas discovery in the South China Sea it said on Wednesday could contain four trillion to six trillion cubic feet of recoverable resource.

Husky said the well, located on Block 29/26, 250 km (155 miles) south of Hong Kong, is the first deep-water discovery off China's coast.

Using 2-D seismic data, the Canadian oil company drilled the well, called Liwan 3-1-1, to a total depth of 3,843 metres (12,610 feet), encountering 56 metres (184 feet) of net gas pay, it said.

Husky, which is controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, said it plans to conduct a 3-D seismic survey to determine where to drill next.

The company's partner is China National Offshore Oil Corp.

CNOOC has the right to participate in developing the discovery for up to 51 percent working interest.

REUTERS DH RAI0432