(Hong Kong, April 24, 2015) - CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883, TSX: CNU) today announced its key operational statistics for the first quarter of 2015.
Total net production in the first quarter of 2015 increased 9.4% year over year (“YoY”) to 118.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), primarily due to the production contribution from new projects that came on stream in offshore China since 2014.
In the first quarter, the Company made 3 new discoveries. In offshore China and overseas, the Company made 9 and 3 successful appraisal wells, respectively. In offshore China, the new discovery Penglai 20-2 is expected to drive the joint development with the adjacent Penglai 20-3 oil field. After successful appraisals, the Bozhong 34-9 oil and gas structure is expected to be developed into a mid-sized oil and gas field.
Jinzhou 9-3 comprehensive adjustment project and Kenli 10-1 oil field commenced production as scheduled in 2015, while other projects progressed smoothly.
During the period, the unaudited oil and gas sales revenue of the Company were approximately RMB35.54 billion, a decrease of 39.9% YoY, due to the sharp decline in international oil prices. The Company’s average realized oil price decreased by 49.0% YoY to US$53.40 per barrel while the average realized gas price increased by 5.5% YoY to US$6.68 per thousand cubic feet.
Facing the challenges created by low oil prices, the Company continued to lower costs and enhance efficiency, and adjusted its operating strategy by decreasing capital expenditures. In the first quarter, the Company’s capital expenditures decreased by 15.7% YoY to approximately RMB15.94 billion.
Mr. Li Fanrong, CEO of the Company commented, “Under the harsh circumstances, the Company’s overall production and operations remained stable in the first quarter. Our cost control and enhanced efficiency measures were executed effectively and achieved good results. We will continue to strengthen our internal operations management, exercise strict cost control and enhance efficiency to proactively respond to the impact of low oil prices and to effectively promote various production and operational plans.”
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 but not limited to 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 their 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 2014 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on 22 April 2015.
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.
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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: MR@cnooc.com.cn
