SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
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REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For August 16, 2004
CNOOC Limited
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
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65th Floor
Bank of China Tower
One Garden Road
Central, Hong Kong
(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F)
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)
Yes No X
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(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A.)
Company Press Release
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CNOOC Signs Second Deepwater Exploration Contract with Husky
(Hong Kong, August 16, 2004) - CNOOC Limited (together with its subsidiaries,
the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 883) today announced that its parent company,
China National Offshore Oil Corporation ("CNOOC") inked a petroleum contract
with Husky Oil China Limited (a subsidiary of Husky Energy Limited based in
Canada, "Husky") for deepwater block 29/26 in the Pearl River Mouth Basin of the
Eastern South China Sea.
This was the second deepwater exploration contract signed between CNOOC and
Husky, and was also the seventh contract signed between them.
Block 29/26, one of the 12 deepwater blocks offered for open bidding by CNOOC in
2002, is located about 300 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong. The block covers
an area of 3,965 square kilometers, and is in water depth of 300 to 2000 meters.
Under the terms of the contract, the exploration period will be divided into
three phases. Husky is committed to drill one exploration wildcat during each
phase.
Husky will be responsible for 100 percent of the exploration expenditure and the
Company has the right to back in up to 51% working interest in any commercial
discoveries in the block at no cost.
Mr. Zhang Guohua, Senior Vice President of the Company, commented, "We are
pleased to see the interest and confidence that Husky showed to the potentials
of the deepwater blocks again. At present, a number of foreign companies are
studying the geological data of the deepwater blocks. We believe more partners
will be interested exploring the deepwater blocks in the South China Sea in the
future."
Ends
Notes to Editor
CNOOC LIMITED- BACKGROUND
Incorporated in Hong Kong in August 1999, CNOOC Limited (SEHK: 883; NYSE: CEO)
is the dominant producer of crude oil and natural gas offshore China. CNOOC
Limited is also one of the largest independent crude oil and gas exploration and
production companies in the world.
As of December 31, 2003, its net proved reserves were 2.1 billion barrels-of-oil
equivalents. Daily production for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 was 362,672
BOE (unaudited).
CNOOC Limited is currently engaged in exploration, development and production
in four major areas offshore China, which cover Bohai Bay, Western South China
Sea, Eastern South China Sea and East China Sea. The Company is also one of
the largest offshore crude oil producers in Indonesia.
The Company has about 2,447 employees.
CNOOC LIMITED -RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS PARENT COMPANY
CNOOC Limited, incorporated in Hong Kong, is a 70.64% held subsidiary of China
National Offshore Oil Corporation ("CNOOC"). CNOOC Limited is the sole vehicle
through which CNOOC carries out its oil and gas exploration, development,
production and selling activities offshore China and internationally.
CNOOC, the parent company, is involved in the administrative, research, and
services functions for the China offshore petroleum industry as well as other
mid- or downstream petroleum projects.
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This press release contains statements that are not historical facts, including
statements about beliefs and expectations of the directors of CNOOC Limited (the
"Company"). These forward-looking statements are based on current plans,
estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on
them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and
the directors of the Company undertake no obligation to update publicly any of
them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements
involve inherent risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned that a number of
important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not
limited to, changes in PRC economic, political and social conditions as well as
government policies.
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For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Xiao Zongwei
CNOOC Limited
Tel : +86 10 8452 1646
Fax: +86 10 8452 1441
E-mail: xiaozw@cnooc.com.cn
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Ms. Charlotte Kong/Ms. Joe Lee
Ketchum Newscan Public Relations
Tel: 852-3141-8063/852-3141-8028
Fax: 852-2510-8199
E-mail: Charlotte.kong@knprhk.com
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joy.lee@knprhk.com
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 6-K to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CNOOC Limited
By: /s/ Cao Yunshi
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Name: Cao Yunshi
Title: Company Secretary
Dated: August 16, 2004