UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August 2012

Commission File Number 1-14966


CNOOC Limited
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
   
65th Floor
Bank of China Tower
One Garden Road
Central, Hong Kong
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F      X          Form 40-F ___

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant 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):  Not applicable

 
 
 
 
 
Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
     
CNOOC Limited
  
         
         
 
By:
  
/s/ Hua Zhong
  
 
Name:
  
Hua Zhong
  
 
Title:
  
Joint Company Secretary
  
Dated: August 14, 2012
 
 

 
 
 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 
Exhibit No. Description
   
99.1
 Press Release dated August 14, 2012, entitled “Successful Appraisal of Qinhuangdao 29-2”.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
For Immediate Release

Successful Appraisal of Qinhuangdao 29-2

(Hong Kong, August 14, 2012) - CNOOC Limited (the “Company”, NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883) today announced that the Company has recently appraised two wells in Qinghuangdao 29-2 east successfully.

Qinhuangdao 29-2 is located in the central north of Bohai, with an average water depth of about 27 meters. These two successful appraisal wells expanded the reserve base of Qinghuangdao 29-2. Qinghuangdao 29-2E-4 drilled in the middle formation of the Qinghuangdao 29-2 east structure represented a significant breakthrough by encountering 218.4 meter thick of oil pay zones, including a 133.7 meter thick single oil pay zone. This well was tested to produce approximately 6,600 barrels and 4.5 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, creating the highest capacity of clastic rocks in Bohai.

Mr. Li Fanrong, CEO of the Company commented, “I am very pleased that the Company has realized another large discovery through these successful appraisals. I believe Qinghuangdao 29-2 will provide firm support to the Company’s reserve and production growth in the near future.”

 
– End –
Notes to Editors:

More information about the Company is available at http://www.cnoocltd.com.
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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 analysis made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes reasonable under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will meet the Company’s expectations and predictions depends on a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance and financial conditions to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, including those associated with fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices, the exploration or development activities, the capital expenditure requirements, the business strategy, the highly competitive nature of the oil and natural gas industries, the foreign operations, environmental liabilities and compliance requirements, and economic and political conditions in the People’s Republic of China. For a description of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see the documents the Company has filed from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including 2011 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on April 20, 2012.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company cannot assure that the actual results or developments anticipated will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected effect on the Company, its business or operations.
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For further enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Michelle Zhang
Deputy Manager, Media / Public Relations
CNOOC Limited
Tel: +86-10-8452-6642
Fax: +86-10-8452-1441
E-mail: MR@cnooc.com.cn

Ms. Angela Hui
Ketchum Newscan Public Relations Ltd
Tel: +852-3141-8091
Fax: +852-2510-8199
E-mail: angela.hui@knprhk.com