TEHRAN Oct. 11 (Shana) � Petroleum Ministry has refuted a report by a domestic media which said China has lodged a complaint with an international court against Iran to claim compensation after being ousted from a major oilfield development project.

Deputy Petroleum Minister Rokneddin Javadi in comments provided to Shana discredited the report by the online news service.

The website quoting �informed sources� said the lawsuit against the Iranian company has been filed with a court in London.

The media outlet which carried the story resorted to guesswork on the court�s upcoming verdict by speculating that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) will be ordered to pay a minimum one billion dollars in damages in favor of the Chinese plaintiff.

By SHANA