China Discovers 100-Million-Ton Oilfield in Bohai Sea, Boosting Energy Security

China has announced the discovery of a major offshore oilfield containing an estimated 100 million tons of crude oil in the Bohai Sea, further strengthening the country’s domestic energy resources. The discovery was confirmed on Wednesday by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The newly identified field, named Qinhuangdao 29-6 Oilfield, is located in the central part of the Bohai Sea and lies within shallow Neogene formations. According to CNOOC, this marks the seventh consecutive oilfield with reserves exceeding 100 million tons discovered in the Bohai Oilfield since 2019, underscoring the region’s status as China’s largest crude oil production base.

CNOOC said the latest discovery is of strategic importance, as it further enhances China’s offshore oil and gas reserves and plays a key role in safeguarding national energy security. The Qinhuangdao 29-6 Oilfield is also the second major lithologic oilfield of this scale identified in the area in recent years, following the earlier breakthrough at the Qinhuangdao 27-3 Oilfield.

Exploration tests have delivered promising results, with a single well producing approximately 370 tons of crude oil per day, highlighting the strong development and exploration potential of the oilfield. These results suggest that the Bohai Sea remains a vital growth area for China’s offshore energy production.

An official from CNOOC attributed the discovery to advancements in hydrocarbon migration and accumulation models, as well as new exploration technologies targeting shallow Neogene slope zones. The breakthrough challenges traditional views that slope areas primarily serve as channels for hydrocarbon movement rather than zones of large-scale accumulation.

The discovery demonstrates the significant untapped potential of uplifted peripheral slopes in offshore basins and reflects China’s continued progress in offshore oil exploration. As development moves forward, the Qinhuangdao 29-6 Oilfield is expected to contribute meaningfully to China’s long-term energy supply and economic stability.