CNOOC in talks to join CNPC in $14.5 bln YPF bid-source

HONG KONG, July 10 (Reuters) - China's top offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC (0883.HK)(CEO.N) is in discussions to support China National Petroleum Corp's (CNPC) expected $14.5 billion bid for Spanish oil major Repsol's (REP.MC) Argentine unit YPF, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

CNOOC is eyeing 25 percent of YPF, the source told Reuters on Friday. The source was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter and declined to be identified.

CNPC, parent company of top Asian oil and gas company PetroChina (0857.HK) (PTR.N) (601857.SS), is in talks to buy 75 percent of YPF, sources said earlier this week. (Reporting by Joseph Chaney; Editing by Chris Lewis)