CNOOC reaches over 28 percent increase in production

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas in China, has reached 83.3 million BOE net production from offshore China in 3Q 2015, a 28.2% yoy increase, primarily due to the production contribution from newly started projects in Bohai and the Eastern South China Sea.

In the third quarter, the company achieved a total net production of 127.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), representing an increase of 23.8% year over year (yoy).

Meanwhile, net production from overseas rose 16.5% yoy to 44.3 million BOE, mainly because of maintenance at the Buzzard oilfield during the same period last year and new production from the Golden Eagle project in the U.K. North Sea.

During the period, the company made 3 new discoveries and drilled fourteen successful appraisal wells in offshore China. The Caofeidian 6-4 structure was appraised and proved to be a mid-sized oilfield, which represents a significant breakthrough after several years of oil and gas exploration in western Bohai, the company said on Wednesday.

The new discovery of Liuhua 21-2 further demonstrated the exploration potential of Baiyun Sag in Pearl River Mouth basin and is expected to be developed jointly with adjacent oil structures in the area, including Liuhua 20-2. In the third quarter, the Luda 10-1 oilfield comprehensive adjustment project started production.

Decline in sales

In the third quarter, the unaudited oil and gas sales revenue of the company reached approximately RMB36.25 billion, representing a decline of 32.3% yoy. The company’s average realized oil price declined by 50.7% yoy to $48.84 per barrel, while the average realized natural gas price declined by 3.0% yoy to $6.41 per thousand cubic feet.

Capex cut by 44 percent

Facing a low oil price environment, the company continued to lower costs and enhance efficiency, in addition to decreasing its full-year capital expenditures. During the period, the company reduced its capital expenditures by 44% yoy to approximately RMB14.75 billion.

Li Fanrong, CEO of the company, commented, “In the third quarter, the Company made smooth progress in overall business, including exploration, development and production. Our cost controls and enhanced efficiency measures were executed effectively and achieved remarkable results as we aimed to proactively respond to the impact of low oil prices. Meanwhile, we are confident that we will achieve our production and operation targets for the year.”