China sets new record for offshore oil and gas production

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has announced that total energy production at the Bohai oilfields—the country’s largest offshore crude oil base—exceeded 40 million tons of oil equivalent in 2025. 

This marks a new historical high, providing a reliable guarantee for China’s energy security and supporting high-quality socio-economic development, per Xinhua.

The Bohai oilfields are China’s largest and most productive offshore oil region, currently hosting over 60 operational oil and gas fields and more than 200 production facilities, with cumulative crude oil output exceeding 600 million tons. Over the past five years, average annual growth in oil and gas production at Bohai has reached 5%, with crude oil production contributing nearly 40% of the country’s total increase in this sector.

Officials from CNOOC’s Tianjin branch stated that in 2025, construction of production capacities at the Bohai oilfields was accelerated comprehensively. Drilling activity reached a new historic peak, enabling the rapid completion and commissioning of key facilities, including oilfields with proven reserves of 100 million tons, such as Kenli 10-2 and Bozhong 26-6.

Alongside the expansion of new oilfields, annual crude oil production at older Bohai fields is expected to exceed 32 million tons in 2025, maintaining a stable “base output” level.

The Bohai oilfields are also advancing digital and intelligent transformation and green, low-carbon development at an accelerated pace. Key breakthroughs include the localization of essential equipment and the successful commissioning of the first localized shallow-water subsea production system. The intelligent Qinhuangdao 32-6 oilfield is enhancing traditional oil and gas extraction capabilities through technologies such as drone-assisted operations and coordinated production management. Additionally, the project connecting offshore oilfield clusters to onshore power sources has been completed, with more than 80% of oilfields now linked to onshore electricity.

By Khagan Isayev