Platform B and C of Penglai 19-3 Oilfield Suspend Production

HONG KONG, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- CNOOC Limited (the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 0883) announced today that ConocoPhillips China Inc ("COPC") , the Operator of Penglai 19-3 field informed the Company that the State Oceanic Administration of People's Republic of China ("SOA") has required COPC to suspend the production of Platform B and C of the field until the risk of oil spill is eliminated.

According to the latest report from COPC, a thin sheen has been observed recently near Platform B and amounts of bubbles have been occasionally generated from the oil-based mud that remains on the sea floor near Platform C. Clean up work by COPC continues, including diving operations to remove any residual oil-based mud on the sea floor at Platform C. Meanwhile, COPC continues to closely monitor the original seep location of Platform B.

As the non-operator, the Company will continue to urge and assist COPC to complete the clean-up work as quickly as possible, and to reduce the impact of the oil spill incidents on marine environment according to SOA's requirement.

Penglai19-3 field is an oil field under Production Sharing Contract ("PSC") with COPC. COPC is the Operator and responsible for the management of daily operations. CNOOC Limited holds 51% of participating interests under the PSC. Before the shut-in, the net production of CNOOC Limited from the two platforms was approximately 22,000 barrels per day.

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 of1995, 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 2010 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 29, 2011.

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.

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