Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) announces that CNOOC Uganda Limited (CNOOC) has informed both Tullow and Total that it will not pre-empt the sale of Tullow’s assets in Uganda to Total.

On 23 April 2020, Tullow announced that it had agreed the sale of its assets in Uganda to Total and that CNOOC had rights of pre-emption to acquire 50% of these assets on the same terms and conditions as Total. CNOOC has now informed Tullow and Total that it has elected not to exercise its pre-emption rights. Accordingly, there are no changes to the previously announced transaction or timeline and Tullow continues to expect the transaction to complete in the second half of 2020.

The transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including approval by Tullow’s shareholders, customary government and other approvals and the execution of a binding tax agreement with the Government of Uganda and the Uganda Revenue Authority that reflects the agreed tax principles previously announced. Tullow will now look to progress the tax agreement following CNOOC’s decision not to pre-empt.

About Tullow Oil plc

Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group, quoted on the London, Irish and Ghanaian stock exchanges (symbol: TLW). The Group has interests in over 70 exploration and production licences across 15 countries in Africa and South America.

About Total

Total is a major energy player, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.

About CNOOC

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (SEHK: 00883, NYSE: CEO, TSX: CNU), the largest offshore oil and gas producer in China, is a mega government owned company operating directly under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.