CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, SEHK: 00883, NYSE: CEO, TSX: CNU) today announced its key operational statistics for the first quarter of 2019.
The Company achieved a total net production of 120.1 million barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”) for the first quarter of 2019, remaining stable compared to the same period last year. Production from offshore China increased 2.3% year over year (“YoY”) to 79.3 million BOE, mainly attributable to commencement of production of new projects. Overseas production decreased 4.2% YoY to 40.8 million BOE, mainly due to completion of historical investment recovery of Missan project in Iraq and expiration of contract of SES block in Indonesia.
During the period, the Company made four new discoveries and drilled ten successful appraisal wells. In Bohai, the new discovery Luda 25-1 is expected to be a mid-sized oil-bearing structure. In Guyana, two new discoveries, namely Tilapia and Haimara, were made in the Stabroek block, which represent the eleventh and twelfth oil discoveries achieved in the block. In addition, on April 18, the operator, ExxonMobil announced Yellowtail as the thirteenth discovery in the block.
For the new projects planned to commence production this year, Egina oilfield in Nigeria and Huizhou 32-5 oilfield comprehensive adjustment/Huizhou 33-1 oilfield joint development project in offshore China have commenced production successfully, other projects progressed smoothly.
The unaudited oil and gas sales revenue of the Company reached approximately RMB 42.05 billion for the first quarter of 2019, down 1.1% YoY. During the period, the Company’s average realized oil price decreased 4.3% YoY to US$60.78 per barrel, which is in line with the international oil prices. The Company’s average realized gas price was US$6.88 per thousand cubic feet, increasing by 6.3% YoY, primarily driven by the increased production proportion from gas fields of higher realized gas price.
For the first quarter of 2019, the Company’s capital expenditure reached approximately RMB 14.08 billion, up 45.8% YoY as a result of increased workload.
Mr. Yuan Guangyu, CEO of the Company, said, “In the first quarter of the year, the Company’s overall production and operations remained stable, capital expenditure increased substantially. Looking ahead, we will steadily increase oil and gas reserve and production, continuously adhere to the concept of green and low-carbon and promote the high-quality development of the Company, strive to achieve the overall target for the year.”
