SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 6-K



                       REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                     PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                             For December 10, 2004



                                 CNOOC Limited

                (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                         ----------------------------

                                  65th Floor
                              Bank of China Tower
                                One Garden Road
                              Central, Hong Kong
                   (Address of principal executive offices)

                         ----------------------------





(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
                   -------                  --------


(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
                   -------                  --------


(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

             CNOOC Announces Successful Wildcat KE7-3 in Indonesia

(Hong Kong, December 9, 2004) - CNOOC Limited (together with its subsidiaries,
the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 883) is pleased to announce today the success
of KE7-3, a wildcat well offshore West Madura, Indonesia.

KE7-3 is located in the offshore West Madura Production Sharing Contract area
(the "West Madura PSC") and is about 2,250 meters in depth. Kodeco Energy Co.
Ltd. acts as operator for the well. During drill stem testing, it flowed
approximately 1,000 barrels of oil and condensate and approximately 10.5
million standard cubic feet of gas per day on a 48/64-inch choke.

Mr. Zhang Guohua, Senior Vice President of the Company commented, "This
discovery, together with the previous ones, will help increase the value of
this area".

The Company owns 25% interest in the West Madura PSC and PERTAMINA is a
partner in the block.

Ends

Notes to Editor

CNOOC LIMITED - Corporate Information

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. It is
also one of the largest independent crude oil and gas exploration and
production companies in the world.

As of December 31, 2003, CNOOC Limited's net proved reserves were 2.1 billion
barrels-of-oil-equivalent (BOE). Its daily production for the first half ended
June 30, 2004 was 365,771 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. It 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

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 oil and gas exploration, development,
production and selling activities offshore China and internationally.



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CNOOC, the parent company, is involved in the administrative, research and
services functions for the People's Republic of China's offshore petroleum
industry as well as other mid- or down-stream petroleum projects.



                                  *** *** ***

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 the PRC economic,
political and social conditions as well as government policies.

                                  *** *** ***

For further enquiries, please contact:

Mr. Xiao Zongwei
Director of Investor Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-1646
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: xiaozw@cnooc.com.cn

Ms. Sharon Fung
Ketchum Newscan Public Relations Ltd
Tel: +852-3141-8082
Fax: +852-2510-8199
E-mail: Sharon.Fung@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               
                                               -----------------------------
                                               Name:  Cao Yunshi
                                               Title: Company Secretary

Dated: December 10, 2004