PDVSA asks UK court to lift Exxon's asset freeze

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has asked a UK court to lift a $12 billion freeze on its assets, granted to U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), pending arbitration over the seizure of Exxon's Venezuelan oil fields.

Lawyers for PDVSA argued on Thursday that the British court had no right to impose the freeze because the dispute, involved parties and arbtitraion were not connected with the UK.

The judge is scheduled to hear arguments for two and a half days and to issue a judgement next week or later. (Reporting by Tom Bergin; editing by Rory Channing)