(Hong Kong, October 26, 2016) - CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, SEHK: 00883, NYSE: CEO, TSX: CNU) today announced its key operational statistics for the third quarter of 2016.

For the third quarter of the year, the Company achieved total net production of 117.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), representing a decrease of 7.7% year-on-year (“YoY”), mainly due to the decline of production volume in oil and gas fields and weak demand in the domestic downstream gas market.

During the period, the Company made one new discovery and drilled ten successful appraisal wells offshore China. During the third quarter, Weizhou 6-9/6-10 comprehensive adjustment project and Enping 18-1 oilfield commenced production. The four projects that were planned to come on stream in 2016 have all commenced production.

For the third quarter of the year, the unaudited oil and gas sales revenue of the Company reached approximately RMB30.75 billion, representing a decrease of 15.2% YoY. The Company’s average realized oil price decreased by 13.5% YoY to US$42.26 per barrel, while the average realized gas price was US$5.22 per thousand cubic feet, down 18.6% YoY.

To cope with the low oil price environment, the Company continued to lower costs, enhance efficiency and cut capital expenditure for the whole year. During the period, the Company’s capital expenditure amounted to approximately RMB11.67 billion, representing a decrease of 20.9% YoY.

Mr. Yang Hua, Chairman and CEO of the Company, said, “In view of the market challenges during the third quarter of the year, the Company endeavored to lower costs and enhance efficiency, as well as made proactive efforts in all fields. In addition, the Company is confident in meeting the full year target of its key operating indicators.”  

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Notes to Editors:

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

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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 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed in April of the latest fiscal year.

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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