By Jason Simpkins Associate Editor After a disappointing string of failed takeovers, CNOOC Ltd. (ADR: CEO) has reignited its foreign expansion initiative with a $2.49 billion buyout of Norway’s Awilco Offshore ASA. China Oilfield Services Ltd., a unit of China’s top offshore oil and gas producer will pay $16.66 (85 kroner) a share, an 18.7% premium to last week’s closing price. Awilco’s board unanimously approved the offer and the deal, which still requires regulatory approval, but should be closed by October. China Oilfield will borrow about $2.3 billion to finance the deal. "I think 85 kroner a share is a good price," Stian Eliassen, an analyst at Carnegie ASA in Oslo, told Bloomberg News. "They’re very interested in Awilco’s jack-up rigs, seven of which will be available to be leased by clients next year."...

We have heard alot of discussion lately in regards to why the miners could possibly be doing so horribly, when history has shown us that mining stocks should be skyrocketing given the last 8 year bull run in precious metals.

Two words: Naked Shorting

Jim Sinclair has created a movement lately asking to enlist over 200,000 investors, and thousands of mining companies, to put a stop to the criminal activity of Naked Shorting that literally steals money from investors.  You can see more information on Jim Sinclairs initiative here.

One of the best detailed audio explanations of how Naked Shorting works, listen to this audio program.

Hopefully when this all starts coming to light, the brokers who have engaged in this criminal activity will be spending a long time in a cold cell with a large room-mate named Bubba who finds ex-stock brokers attractive.

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