China has made a significant breakthrough in offshore energy exploration as the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced the discovery of a major oilfield in the eastern South China Sea.
According to reports from Xinhua on Monday, this newly discovered oilfield boasts proven reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes, marking a milestone in China’s quest for energy security.
The Huizhou 19-6 oilfield is being hailed as a major achievement in China’s offshore oil exploration. It is the first large-scale integrated clastic oilfield discovered in deep to ultra-deep layers, a feat that underscores China’s advancing capabilities in offshore drilling technology. Situated approximately 170 km from Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, the oilfield lies at an average water depth of 100 meters. Initial test drilling has shown promising results, yielding a daily output of 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas.
China’s latest oilfield discovery is particularly significant given the challenging conditions associated with deep to ultra-deep offshore exploration. According to CNOOC, offshore drilling in these complex environments involves overcoming high temperatures, extreme pressures, and intricate geological conditions. These factors make the identification and extraction of hydrocarbons more difficult, yet the successful discovery of this oilfield highlights China’s growing expertise in deep-sea energy exploration.
Clastic reservoirs, which are a crucial component of deep-sea hydrocarbon deposits, generally present low permeability, making large-scale discoveries less common. However, with advanced exploration techniques, China has managed to uncover a sizable oilfield that could contribute significantly to its energy needs. Peng Guangrong, a geologist at CNOOC’s Shenzhen branch, emphasized that 60 percent of the world’s newly discovered oil and gas reserves have originated from deep layers. He noted that China’s vast deep-sea resources, coupled with relatively low levels of prior exploration, indicate that further oilfield discoveries are likely in the future.
China has been making consecutive breakthroughs in oil and gas exploration in the eastern South China Sea. For two straight years, CNOOC has successfully identified oilfields with reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes. CEO Zhou Xinhuai reaffirmed China’s commitment to advancing offshore exploration, with deep to ultra-deep layers playing a crucial role in boosting the country’s energy production and long-term resource security.