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 April 9, 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.)
PRESS RELEASE
CNOOC Offers 10 New Blocks
(Hong Kong, April 9 2004) CNOOC Limited (the "Company", SEHK: 883, NYSE: CEO)
announced today that its parent company, China National Offshore Oil
Corporation ("CNOOC") is offering 10 new exploration blocks offshore China to
international oil and gas companies for production sharing contract ("PSC")
exploration, effective immediately. All interested companies can make their
inquiries with CNOOC's legal and contract department (for details please
see www.cnooc.com.cn). In addition, the remaining deepwater blocks continue to
be open to interested parties.
The newly offered 10 blocks cover a total area of 35,158 square kilometers.
One block is located in Bohai Bay, one block in South Yellow Sea Basin, one
block in East China Sea, four blocks in Eastern South China Sea and three in
Western South China Sea.
The blocks ready for PSCs have seen some degree of exploration activities.
CNOOC, under the current Chinese regulations, has the exclusive rights to
cooperate with foreign oil and gas companies offshore China.
-END-
Notes to Editors:
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 and its net production averaged 356,729 BOE per
day.
CNOOC Limited is currently engaged in exploration, development and production
in four major areas offshore China, which covers Bohai Bay, Western South China
Sea, Eastern South China Sea and East China Sea. The Company is also one of the
largest offshore crude producer in Indonesia.
The Company has about 2,447 employees.
CNOOC LIMITED -RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS PARENT COMPANY
CNOOC Limited, incorporated in Hong Kong, is a 70.6% 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.
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 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. 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 inquiries, 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 Anne Lui/Ms. Charlotte Kong/Ms. Carol Chan
Ketchum Newscan Public Relations
Tel: 852-3141-8016/ 852-3141-8063/852-3141-8091
Fax: 852-2510-8199
E-mail: anne.lui@knprhk.com
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carol.chan@knprhk.com
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charlotte.kong@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 to be issued 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: April 9, 2004