China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Ltd. took top billing at Thursday's 12th annual Platts Global Energy Awards, winning two awards in the industry's most recognized awards program.

It is the first time ever that a Chinese energy company has won the sought-after Energy Company of the Year and Energy Producer of the Year awards, since the program made its debut 12 years ago.

"Not only is this a first win for China in the Awards history, but CNOOC ranks among an elite few companies that have taken home awards in two categories in the same year," said Larry Neal, president of Platts, the leading global energy information provider and host of the event.

In its selection of the Energy Company of the Year, Platts' panel of judges highlighted CNOOC Ltd.'s surge onto the global energy stage, listing its achievements which underscore the firm's commitment to becoming a truly "world class" energy company.

Yang Hua, the chief executive officer of CNOOC Ltd., told Xinhua:" "CNOOC sees these awards not only as recognition of what we did, but as an encouragement for us to do more and better in the future."

As a leading Chinese oil and gas exploration and production company, CNOOC Ltd. has achieved its goals in production and development in the past decade.

Nearly 600 energy industry executives from 18 countries attended the event, with winners in 17 performance categories.

The awards honor outstanding achievements in the energy industry, and recognize corporate and individual accomplishments, innovation and entrepreneurship.