China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has commenced production at the Bozhong 26-6 oilfield development project, located in central Bohai Bay.
This marks a significant milestone for the company, as the oilfield is recognised as the world’s largest metamorphic buried hill oilfield.
With proven oil and gas reserves exceeding 200 million cubic metres, the project underscores CNOOC’s commitment to advancing offshore energy production and low-carbon technologies.
Phase one of the development includes a new central processing platform and an unmanned wellhead platform, with plans to commission 33 wells — 22 production wells, 10 gas injection wells, and one water source well.
The field, situated in an average water depth of 20 metres, is expected to reach peak production of approximately 22,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) by the end of 2025.
The extracted oil is classified as light crude.
CNOOC has implemented standardised engineering practices to accelerate the project timeline, achieving production just three years after the field’s discovery in 2022.
The company has also integrated advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology into its operations.
Carbon dioxide produced during crude extraction is captured, separated, and reinjected into the formation to enhance oil recovery while reducing emissions.
Over the project’s lifecycle, it is expected to sequester approximately 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂.
Yan Hongtao, President of CNOOC, highlighted the project’s dual contributions to energy security and environmental sustainability.
“The successful commencement of production at Bozhong 26-6 marks a new stage for the company in developing offshore deep play complex reservoirs and constructing the Bohai CCUS base,” he said.
He emphasised its role in bolstering energy supply capacity and supporting low-carbon development in key regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Bohai Rim.
The Bozhong 26-6 project complements other recent developments, such as the Dongfang 29-1 gas field in the South China Sea, which began production in January 2025 and is expected to peak at 38 million cubic metres of natural gas per day later this year.
Together, these initiatives reflect CNOOC’s efforts to balance energy demands with environmental responsibility.
