Chinese oil company CNOOC has announced the discovery of a large oil field in the eastern part of the South China Sea with proven reserves exceeding 100 million tons.
The field, identified as Huizhou 19-6, is located approximately 170 kilometers from the city of Shenzhen, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Initial drilling has achieved a daily production of 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas, the company reported.
CNOOC’s CEO, Zhu Xinhuai, hailed the discovery in the eastern South China Sea, noting that it represents a significant addition to China’s energy resources.
The South China Sea remains insufficiently explored due to territorial disputes, but most known oil and gas reserves are located in Chinese-controlled areas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Beijing claims sovereignty over nearly the entire sea, while the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brunei assert their own claims.
Despite this discovery, China remains the world’s largest importer of crude oil, producing about 11.1 million barrels per day last year, according to U.S. government analysis.
