CNOOC Limited Announces First Quarter Results

HONG KONG, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883) is pleased to announce its results for the first quarter of 2011.

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During the period, the Company achieved a total net production of 85.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), representing an increase of 26.6% year-on-year (YoY).

For the first quarter of 2011, the Company made five new discoveries and successfully drilled six appraisal wells offshore China. Within the period, Jinzhou 25-1 project offshore China commenced production successfully. Other major projects were progressing as planned.

In the first quarter of 2011, the Company purchased a 33.3% undivided interest in Chesapeake's Niobrara project. In addition, the Company and Tullow Oil plc entered into agreements for the acquisition of its one-third interests in each of Exploration Areas 1, 2 and 3A in Uganda. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2011.

Benefiting from increased oil and gas production and higher realized prices, the total unaudited revenue of the Company amounted to approximately RMB48.51 billion for the first quarter of 2011, representing a significant increase of 59.1% YoY. During the period, the Company's average realized oil price rose 32.7% YoY to US$99.98 per barrel. The Company's average realized gas price was US$4.81 per thousand cubic feet, up 8.6% YoY.

For the first quarter of 2011, the Company's capital expenditure reached approximately RMB6.40 billion, representing an increase of 10.3% YoY.

Mr. Yang Hua, Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, "We have recorded excellent first quarter results driven by our efficient operation and higher realized oil prices. Meanwhile, we have made great progress in overseas development, which will provide a strong support for our reserve and production growth in the future."

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 "believe", "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "plan", "predict" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2010.

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SOURCE CNOOC Limited