Chinese oil giant CNOOC (CEO) is planning to request a national security review by the U.S. for its proposed $15 billion takeover of Canada's Nexen (NXY).

As the Wall Street Journal reports, state-controlled CNOOC hopes that the review, in which it will posit itself as a publicly traded company with a long history of compliance with U.S. regulation, will help the deal close smoothly.

Numerous U.S. politicians have objected to the buyout since it was announced in July, as Nexen holds drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico and many have ongoing concerns about China's ownership of North American energy resources.