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 September 24, 2002
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.)
Company Press Release
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CNOOC invites public tenders for exploration and development work in new
deepwater blocks
(Hong Kong, September 23, 2002) - CNOOC Limited (SEHK: 883; NYSE: CEO, the
"Company") announced today that its parent company, China National Offshore
Oil Corporation ("CNOOC") is inviting public tenders from foreign companies
for the oil and gas exploration and development work of 12 virgin deepwater
blocks in the South China Sea. No meaningful exploration work has been done in
these deepwater blocks so far.
The area covers a total of about 76,000 square kilometers with water depth
from 300 to 2000 meters.
"Exploration in this area will help tap the unexploited potential in offshore
China. We welcome experienced companies with strong track records in deepwater
exploration to partner with us in the exploration work, and we believe it will
bring encouraging results," said Mr. Ru Ke, Executive Vice President of the
Company.
According to the constitution of CNOOC Limited, the Company will own all the
working interests caused by the exploration and development activities.
Notes to Editors:
CNOOC LIMITED - BACKGROUND
Incorporated in Hong Kong in August 1999, the Company is the dominant producer
of crude oil and natural gas offshore China. The Company is also one of the
largest independent crude oil and gas exploration and production companies in
the world. As of December 31, 2001, its net proved reserves were 1.8 billion
barrels-of-oil equivalents and its net production totaled 261,379 BOE per day.
The Company has interests in 45 crude oil and gas properties in four major
producing areas: Bohai Bay, Western South China Sea, Eastern South China Sea
and East China Sea. The Company is a major oil and gas company in China with
slightly over 1,000 employees. The Company has become the largest offshore
producer in Indonesia after the acquisition of Indonesian assets.
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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. 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 of the PRC's economic, political and social
conditions as well as government policies.
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For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Xiao Zongwei
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86 10 8452 1646
Fax: +86 10 8452 1441
E-mail: xiazw@cnooc.com.cn
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Ms. Anne Lui/ Mr. Henry Chua
Ketchum Newscan Public Relations
Tel: 852-3141-8016/ 852-3141-8082
Fax: 852-2510-8199
E-mail: anne.lui@knprhk.com
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henry,chua@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,
General Counsel and
Senior Vice President
Dated: September 24, 2002