China\u2019s energy landscape has taken a significant leap forward with the discovery of a major offshore oilfield in the eastern South China Sea, state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced on Monday. The Huizhou 19-6 field contains proven reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes, marking a milestone in deep-sea exploration.
Technical Breakthrough
Located 170 kilometers from Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, the oilfield sits at an average depth of 100 meters. Testing revealed a daily output of 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas, underscoring its commercial potential. The discovery is China\u2019s first large-scale integrated clastic oilfield in deep to ultra-deep layers \u2013 a challenging environment characterized by high temperatures, pressure, and complex geological conditions.
Strategic Implications
CNOOC CEO Zhou Xinhuai noted this marks the second consecutive year of billion-tonne discoveries in the region. Geologist Peng Guangrong emphasized that 60% of global new oil and gas reserves now originate from deep layers, positioning such projects as critical for future energy security. \u201cDeep-sea exploration is both a technical challenge and a strategic priority,\u201d Peng stated.
The find aligns with China\u2019s push to enhance domestic energy production amid growing demand. Analysts suggest this development could attract renewed interest in Asia\u2019s offshore energy sector from investors and technology providers.
