CNOOC Limited Announces Key Operational Statistics of Q1

HONG KONG, April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

CNOOC Limited (the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883, TSX: CNU) today announced its key operational statistics for the first quarter of 2014.

In the first quarter, the Company achieved a total net production of 108.1 million barrels of oil equivalent ("BOE"), representing 15.5% increase year over year (YoY).

The Company made five new discoveries and eight successful appraisal wells in offshore China. New discovery of Bozhong 22-1 demonstrated great exploration potential of natural gas in Bohai buried hill at deeper zone; another discovery of Lingshui 17-2 marked a breakthrough of the Company's independent deepwater exploration. After further successful appraisals, Bozhong 8-4 and Wushi 17-2 were proved to be mid-sized oil and gas structures. During the period, the new projects planned to commence production all made smooth process.

In the first quarter, the unaudited oil and gas sales revenue of the Company reached approximately RMB59.15 billion, representing an increase of 6.9% YoY, mainly due to the increase of oil and gas production. During the period, the Company's average realized gas price was US$6.33 per thousand cubic feet, representing an increase of 9.3% YoY while the Company's average realized oil price was US$104.63 per barrel.

During the period, the Company's capital expenditures for exploration, development and production amounted to RMB19.31 billion.

Mr. Li Fanrong, CEO of the Company commented, "In the first quarter, the Company made significant progress in exploration, particularly the new discoveries and successful appraisals will lay a solid foundation for the Company's sustainable development."

Notes to Editors: 

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected future events, business prospectus or financial results. The words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the expectations and predictions of the Company depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the exploration or development activities, the capital expenditure requirements, the business strategy, whether the transactions entered into by the Group can complete on schedule pursuant to its terms and timetable or at all, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industries, the foreign operations, environmental liabilities and compliance requirements, and economic and political conditions in the People's Republic of China. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents the Company files from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2013 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on 17 April 2014.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the results or developments anticipated will be realised or, even if substantially realised, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

For further information:
Ms. Michelle Zhang
Deputy Manager, Media / Public Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-6642
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: MR@cnooc.com.cn

Ms. Cathy Zhang
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia
Tel: +852-2894-6211
Fax: +852-2576-1990
E-mail: cathy.zhang@hkstrategies.com