The Chinese government has granted approval for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of CNOOC Ltd's Bozhong 26-6 massive shallow-water oilfield development in Bohai Bay. This regulatory approval marks a significant advancement for CNOOC Ltd as it strives to commence initial oil production from the field within the next two years. Bozhong 26-6 is estimated to harbor over 130 million tonnes (equivalent to 950 million barrels) of oil, adequate for yielding a cumulative output of 20 million tonnes of oil and 9 billion cubic meters of gas.

CNOOC Ltd identified Bozhong 26-6, along with Weizhou 11 and Kaiping in the South China Sea, as one of the three discoveries exceeding 100 million tonnes made last year. Positioned in the Bohai Sea, 170 kilometers from Tianjin City, Bozhong 26-6 operates in a water depth of 22.1 meters. The discovery well, Bozhong 26-6-2, encountered an extensive 320 meters of oil and gas pay at a drilling depth of 4480 meters, achieving a daily production of 270 tonnes of oil and 320,000 cubic meters of gas.

The approved EIA, sanctioned by China’s Ministry of Ecology & Environment, outlines the development plan, which encompasses the construction of a central processing platform (BZ26-6CEPA) and an unmanned wellhead platform (BZ26-6WHPB). CNOOC Ltd plans to drill 23 wells on the BZ26-6CEPA platform, comprising 16 producers and seven gas injection wells, along with 17 spare well slots. Simultaneously, on the BZ26-6WHPB platform, the company aims to drill 10 wells — six production wells, three gas injectors, and one water well — in addition to providing 10 spare slots.

The development initiative also involves the installation of four subsea pipelines and two cables, each 6.5 kilometers in length, to establish connections between the BZ26-6WHPB and BZ26-6CEPA platforms. Additionally, a gas pipeline spanning approximately 42.1 kilometers will link the BZ26-6CEPA to the existing BZ19-6CEPA platform.

Bohai Bay plays a pivotal role in mitigating the rapid depletion of China’s oil and gas production. In the previous year, offshore China contributed to 60% of the country’s increase in hydrocarbon production, with Bohai Bay being the primary contributor. The sea area holds considerable potential reserves, amounting to 4.4 billion tonnes (approximately 32.34 billion barrels) of oil and 500 billion cubic meters of gas. CNOOC Ltd manages numerous fields in Bohai Bay, covering a total acreage of 77,000 square kilometers.

In 2023, CNOOC Ltd achieved a production output of 36.8 million tonnes of crude oil from Bohai, solidifying its position as China’s largest oilfield and surpassing the flagship onshore giant Daqing. The company is aiming to further increase its annual production to 40 million tonnes by the year 2025. This strategic move aligns with China's broader energy goals and underscores the significance of Bohai Bay in sustaining the nation's hydrocarbon production.