CNOOC Limited Announces Key Operational Statistics for the First Quarter of 2013

HONG KONG, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883) is pleased to announce its key operational statistics for the first quarter of 2013.

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During the quarter, the Company achieved a total net production of 93.6 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), representing 17.3% increase year over year (YoY), primarily attributable to the production contribution from the acquisition of Nexen Inc ("Nexen") , the new oil and gas projects on stream, the resumption of Penglai 19-3 oil field and the overseas projects.

For the first quarter, the Company made four new discoveries and six successful appraisal wells in offshore China. The appraisal confirmed that Penglai 15-2 was a mid to large sized crude oil discovery. In the perspective of overseas development, the Company successfully completed the acquisition of Nexen.

Greatly benefited from the growth in production volume, the unaudited oil and gas sales revenue of the Company reached approximately RMB55.31 billion during the period, representing an increase of 13.3% YoY. In the first quarter, the Company's average realized oil price decreased 8.7% YoY to US$110.29 per barrel. The Company's average realized gas price went down 1.5% YoY to US$5.79 per thousand cubic feet, primarily due to the relatively lower realized gas price of Nexen.

During the period, the Company's capital expenditure for exploration, development and production reached approximately RMB14.80 billion, representing an increase of 53.5% YoY.

Mr. Li Fanrong, Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, "I am very glad to see that the Company had made significant progress in exploration and production for the first quarter, particularly the successful appraisals in Bohai has further strengthened our sustainable development 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  "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 analysis made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes reasonable under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the Company's expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial conditions 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 Company can complete on schedule pursuant to its 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 has filed from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including 2012 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 24, 2013.

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 realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Michelle Zhang
Deputy Manager, Media / Public Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-6642
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: [email protected]

Ms. Angela Hui
Ketchum Newscan Public Relations Ltd
Tel: +852-3141-8091
Fax: +852-2510-8199
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE CNOOC Limited