Gulfsands says getting regular approaches

LONDON Oct 8 (Reuters) - Syria-focused oil explorer Gulfsands Petroleum (GPX.L) is regularly approached by parties who wish to partner with it, a senior company executive said, but he declined to confirm rumours the company may be bought out by China's Sinochem (600500.SS).

"We are approached regularly by people who want to partner with us," Ken Judge, director of corporate development, told an RBC Capital Markets oil conference, when asked if he expected to work with Sinochem as a partner in an oil block or whether he expected Sinochem to launch a takeover.

Sinochem agreed in August to buy Gulfsands's partner in a Syrian field and since then dealers have speculated that Sinochem could bid for Gulfsands. (Reporting by Tom Bergin; Editing by Dan Lalor)