CNOOC Limited Announces Third Quarter 2012 Results

Hong Kong, - CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883) is pleased to announce its results for the third quarter of 2012.

The Company achieved a total net production of 87.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) for the third quarter of the year, primarily attributable to the production contribution from the new projects and new development wells, the continuous improvement of overseas production and the stable performance of producing oil and gas fields. The Company expects the annual production volume to reach 335-345 million BOE primarily due to the strong growth momentum of the fourth quarter.

During the period, the Company made eight successful appraisal wells in offshore China. The appraisal confirmed that Kenli 9-1 and Dongfang 13-2 are mid and large-sized discoveries, respectively.

Having benefited from the oil and gas production growth, the total unaudited oil and gas sales revenues of the Company reached approximately RMB48.44 billion for the third quarter of 2012, representing an increase of 4.7% year over year (YOY). In this period, the Company’s average realized oil price decreased 6.5% YOY to US$104.74 per barrel while the Company’s average realized gas price increased 12.5% YOY to US$5.83 per thousand cubic feet.

In this quarter, the Company’s capital expenditure was approximately RMB15.0 billion, representing an increase of 46.7% YOY, primarily due to the busy development projects and extensive exploration activities.

Mr. Li Fanrong, CEO of the Company commented, “I am very pleased to witness that our company has achieved net production growth in the third quarter. In exploration area, we drilled 8 successful appraisal wells to further enhance the reserve and production growth in the future. In view of the above achievements, we are fully confident to accomplish the annual key operating statistics of the Company.”

---
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 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, 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 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 20, 2012.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the actual 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.