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Press Releases

CNOOC Limited Announces Major Breakthrough in Ultra-Deep Oil and Gas Exploration in Central Bohai
Time:2026-11-12
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(Hong Kong, November 12, 2026) CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, SEHK: 00883 (HKD Counter) and 80883 (RMB Counter), SSE: 600938) today announced that it has drilled and discovered a high-yield volcanic oil and gas well in ultra-deep formations over 5,000 meters deep in Bohai, marking a major breakthrough in ultra-deep natural gas exploration offshore China.

The well is located in central Bohai, adjacent to the Bozhong Sag, the largest hydrocarbon-rich sag in Bohai. It encountered a cumulative total of over 120 meters of gas pay zone in volcanic formations, and was completed at a depth of 5,770 meters. The well was tested to produce approximately 800,000 cubic meters (approximately 28 million cubic feet) per day of natural gas, revealing promising exploration prospects in the offshore ultra-deep volcanic rocks and effectively promoting the natural gas exploration process in the Bozhong Sag.

The ultra-deep formations in Bohai are geologically complex, making reservoir prediction difficult. CNOOC Limited has continued to make breakthroughs in its theoretical understanding of offshore ultra-deep oil and gas exploration, independently developed key offshore deep multi-source broadband three-dimensional (3D) seismic exploration technologies, and developed innovative methods for predicting high-quality reservoirs in ultra-deep buried hills, precisely identifying the favorable ultra-deep volcanic natural gas enrichment zones in the Bozhong Sag, discovering a high-yield oil and gas well, and marking a significant breakthrough in ultra-deep volcanic natural gas exploration in Bohai.

Mr. Xu Changgui, Chief Scientist and Chief Geologist of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), said, “In recent years, CNOOC Limited has continued to strengthen theoretical innovation in deep and ultra-deep oil and gas enrichment in basins with high heat flow and strong activity, and to intensify research on key technologies. Exploration in China’s offshore areas has achieved a major leap from shallow to deep and ultra-deep formations. The success of this well has opened up a new play for offshore ultra-deep natural gas exploration and expanded the scope of deep oil and gas exploration in Bohai. It is of positive significance for accelerating the ultra-deep exploration process in Bohai and for building a major gas province of one trillion cubic meters in Bohai.”


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Notes to Editors:

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

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This press release includes forward-looking information, including statements regarding the likely future developments in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as expected future events, business prospects 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 as of this date in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the current expectations and predictions of the Company is uncertain. Actual results, performance and financial condition may differ materially from the Company’s expectations, as a result of salient factors including but not limited to those associated with macro-political and economic factors, fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industry, climate change and environment policies, the Company’s price forecast, mergers, acquisitions and divestments activities, “health, safety, security and environment” (HSSE) and insurance policies and changes in anti-corruption, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and corporate governance laws.

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:

Zhang Feihu
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-1421
E-mail: mr@cnooc.com.cn
Cheng Yao
Ever Bloom (HK) Communications Consultants Group Limited
Tel:+852 5540 0725
E-mail:cnooc.hk.list@everbloom.com.cn

About Us
CNOOC Limited is a listed company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with stock codes of 600938 and 00883, respectively. The Company is the largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas in China and one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world. The Company mainly engages in exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas.

Address

  • Beijing office:
    No.25 Chaoyangmenbei Dajie,
    Dongcheng District, Beijing,
    100010, P.R. China
    Website: www.cnoocltd.com
  • Registered office:
    65/F, Bank of China Tower, 1
    Garden Road, Hong Kong
2026 CNOOC Limited. All rights reserved. Record number:Beijing ICP No. 18062853
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