China Discovers Major Oilfield in South China Sea

China’s National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has made a significant discovery in the eastern South China Sea, unveiling a massive oilfield with proven reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes.

The newly discovered Huizhou 19-6 oilfield is located approximately 170 kilometers (100 miles) from Shenzhen in Guangdong Province.

According to state-owned Xinhua News Agency, test drilling at the site has yielded promising results, producing 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day. CNOOC’s CEO, Zhou Xinhuai, celebrated this milestone, highlighting the company’s continued success in offshore oil and gas exploration.

This marks the second consecutive year that CNOOC has discovered a 100-million-tonne oilfield, reinforcing its role as a key player in China’s offshore energy sector.

Zhou emphasized that these discoveries are fueling sustained growth in oil and gas production, creating new opportunities for the industry.

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CNOOC’s Chief Geologist, Xu Changgui, described the find as a “major breakthrough,” calling it the largest clastic whole oilfield discovered in the northern South China Sea in terms of geological reserves. He noted that this challenges traditional geological theories and expands the potential for future exploration in the region.

The South China Sea remains a region of strategic importance, not only for China but also for its neighboring nations. While much of the area remains underexplored due to ongoing territorial disputes, the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that most known oil and gas reserves are located in uncontested waters.

However, China’s broad claims over the South China Sea are strongly disputed by several countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Despite geopolitical tensions, China remains the world’s largest importer of crude oil, bringing in approximately 11.1 million barrels per day last year, according to U.S. government data. This latest discovery could play a crucial role in enhancing China’s energy security and reducing its reliance on foreign oil imports.

CNOOC’s continued success in offshore exploration underscores the growing potential of China’s domestic energy sector. With the Huizhou 19-6 oilfield now confirmed as a major reserve, the company is expected to ramp up development efforts, further strengthening China’s position in the global energy landscape.