Japan's JOGMEC and Perupetro to study exploration

TOKYO, June 20 (Reuters) - Japan's state-run Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp (JOGMEC) said on Friday it signed an agreement with Perupetro, Peru's petroleum agency, to explore holding joint crude oil and natural gas exploration activities in Peru. JOGMEC has yet to decide further investment or exploration project plans, a spokesman said.

Peru, a net oil importer, hopes to become a net exporter by 2010, and has been actively encouraging foreign companies to invest in oil and gas exploration. (Reporting by James Topham)