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 3, 2006
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 ___
(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
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CNOOC Limited Established Presence in Outer Browse Basin in Australia
(Hong Kong, April 3, 2006) - CNOOC Limited ("the Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK:
883,) announced today that it has signed Farm-in Agreements with BHP Billiton
Limited (BHP Billiton) and Kerr-McGee Australia Exploration and Production Pty
Ltd (Kerr-McGee) through its subsidiary, CNOOC Australia E&P Pty Ltd, for
Exploration Permits WA-301-P, WA-303-P, WA-304-P and WA-305-P in the Outer
Browse Basin of Australia. CNOOC Ltd. earned a 25% interest in each of the
Permits as a result.
The above blocks are located in the Outer Browse Basin, northwest offshore
Australia. These blocks are about 300 kilometers away from the costal line and
cover a total area of 21,000 square kilometers with water depth around 2000
meters. The Operator of the four Permits is BHP Billiton.
Mr. Yang Hua, CFO and Executive Vice President of the Company commented, "The
expansion of our natural gas business in Australia indicated our strengthened
strategies in overseas development. Our partners have conducted significant
studies on these exploration blocks. I believe that all parties' joint efforts
will bring out the huge potential in the Outer Browse Basin."
- End -
Notes to Editors:
More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.
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This press release contains statements that are not historical facts,
including statements about beliefs and expectations of the directors of the
Company on the Company and its development and future plans. These
forward-looking statements reflect the directors' current views with respect
to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance, and therefore
shareholders and potential investors should not place undue reliance on them.
The directors of the Company undertake no obligation to update or revise
publicly any of these forward-looking statements, whether in light of new
information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties. Shareholders and potential investors are
cautioned that a number of 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 Chinese economic, political
and social conditions and government policies and in the oil and gas industry.
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For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Xiao Zongwei
General Manager 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
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: April 3, 2006