CNOOC Limited Announces Wang Yilin as New Chairman

HONG KONG, April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Board of Directors ("the Board") of CNOOC Limited (the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 0883) announced today that, Mr. Fu Chengyu has resigned as Chairman of the Board and non-executive director of the Company. Mr. Wang Yilin has been appointed as new Chairman of the Board and non-executive director of the Company. The aforementioned changes become effective from today.

Mr. Wang Yilin, the newly appointed Chairman of the Company commented, "With joint efforts of the Board, the management team and the entire staff, CNOOC Limited has grown into an outstanding company. In this new role, I will fulfill my duty with my best endeavor, to enhance the company's capability of value creation and sustainable growth. Meanwhile, on behalf the Board, I would like to thank Mr. Fu for his exceptional contribution to the development of CNOOC Limited."

Mr. Yang Hua, the Vice Chairman and CEO of the Company said, "Mr. Wang Yilin has abundant experiences in the oil and gas industry in China. With his leadership we will work more closely together to bring more value to our shareholders."

Wang Yilin

Born in 1956, Mr. Wang is a professor-level senior engineer. He graduated from China University of Petroleum majoring in petroleum geology and exploration and received a doctorate degree. He has nearly 30 years of working experience in China's oil and gas industry. From June 1996 to September 1999, Mr. Wang served as the deputy director and chief exploration geologist of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau. From September 1999 to May 2004, he served as the general manager of Xinjiang Oilfield Company. From June 2001 to May 2004, he served as the senior executive of Xinjiang Petroleum Administration Bureau. From July to December 2003, he served as the Assistant to General Manager of China National Petroleum Corporation ("CNPC"). From December 2003 to April 2011, he served as the Deputy General Manager of CNPC. From July 2004 to July 2007, he also served as the safety director of CNPC. From November 2005 to 14 April 2011, he served as a Director of PetroChina Company Limited, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and Shanghai Stock Exchange respectively. Since 8 April 2011, Mr. Wang serves as Chairman of China National Offshore Oil Corporation. Mr. Wang was appointed as Chairman and Non-executive Director of the Company with effect from 15 April 2011.

Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding expected future events, business prospectus or financial results. The words "believe", "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "plan", "predict" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results, performance and financial condition to differ materially from our expectations. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 23, 2010.

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