CNOOC Limited has achieved a major breakthrough in the exploration of Paleozoic buried hills in the Beibu Gulf Basin, marking a milestone in offshore natural gas and oil exploration in China. The company’s latest success comes from the Weizhou 10-5 oil and gas field, located in the Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea, where exploratory efforts have unveiled promising hydrocarbon reserves.

Drilled at an average water depth of approximately 37 meters, exploration well WZ10-5-1Sa penetrated a 283-meter oil and gas pay zone and reached a total depth of approximately 4,840 meters. Test results confirm that the well produces around 13.2 million cubic feet of natural gas and approximately 800 barrels of crude oil per day. This discovery is particularly significant as it marks a breakthrough in natural gas exploration within the granite buried hills of the Beibu Gulf Basin, reinforcing CNOOC’s position as a leading player in China’s offshore energy sector.

Unlocking the Potential of Buried Hills Reservoirs

The discovery at Weizhou 10-5 highlights the vast exploration potential of buried hills reservoirs in the region. Over the years, CNOOC Limited has focused on advancing geological research and exploration technologies, particularly in complex reservoir formations like those found in Paleozoic granite buried hills.

Xu Changgui, Chief Geologist of CNOOC Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of this discovery, stating:

"The Weixinan Sag in the Beibu Gulf Basin is one of the most explored sags offshore China. In recent years, we have been studying reservoir formation theories and developing relevant technologies for complex buried hills. This breakthrough in Paleozoic granite buried hill exploration opens up new prospects for further discoveries in the Beibu Gulf Basin and will serve as a guide for similar offshore exploration projects across China."

Strengthening China’s Energy Security

CNOOC Limited has been making large and medium-sized oil and gas discoveries across various buried hill formations offshore China, significantly expanding the company’s resource base. The discovery at Weizhou 10-5 is expected to enhance China’s energy security, contributing to a more stable domestic oil and gas supply while supporting economic and social development.

Zhou Xinhuai, Chief Executive Officer of CNOOC Limited, highlighted the company’s commitment to energy exploration and growth:

"In recent years, our company has achieved notable successes in discovering oil and gas in various buried hill formations offshore China. These discoveries continue to expand our resource base, helping to stabilize energy supply and drive sustainable economic growth."

With this latest discovery, CNOOC Limited reaffirms its leadership in offshore energy exploration, paving the way for further advancements in buried hill reservoir development and strengthening China’s offshore oil and gas sector.