China's first ultra-deepwater gas field, "Shenhai-1," has produced over 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas and more than one million cubic meters of condensate oil since the project entered operation three years ago, according to data released by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on Wednesday.
For three consecutive years, the project's annual natural gas production has remained above 3 billion cubic meters.
The "Shenhai-1" gas field, located in the southern part of south China's Hainan Province, is divided into two phases of development.
It operates at a maximum water depth of over 1,500 meters, with well depths exceeding 5,000 meters. The formation temperature reaches up to 138 degree Celsius, and the maximum formation pressure exceeds 69 megapascals, which is 1,000 times the working pressure of a household pressure cooker.
This makes it the deepest, highest-temperature, highest-pressure, and most challenging deep-water gas field for exploration and development that China has independently developed to date. In 2024, the gas field's natural gas output surpassed 3.2 billion cubic meters.
"The Phase II has driven the overall production capacity of 'Shenhai-1' to continue rising. By continuously optimizing process flows, equipment combinations, and improving production management measures, we successfully ensured that Phase I of the 'Shenhai-1' project reached its peak production capacity within just five months of being put into operation," said Song Jinlong, director of the project.
In recent years, with the rapid development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, China's offshore oil and gas exploration and development sector has actively explored digital and intelligent transformation.
As China's first ultra-deepwater intelligent gas field, the construction of "Shenhai-1" marks a significant milestone, positioning China's offshore oil and gas development technology among the world's leading ranks.
Whether it's the field operators offshore or the technical experts at the onshore control center, they can access real-time and accurate information about the latest operational status of "Shenhai-1" through the cloud, enabling remote diagnostics of equipment faults.
"Currently, we have established a comprehensive sea-land communication network for 'Shenhai-1', featuring a cluster of multi-type intelligent monitoring devices that cover both offshore and subsea operations, along with the 'Shenhai Cloud Travel' integrated management platform, which includes the digital twin model of 'Shenhai-1'," said Li Jinsong, general manager of Lingshui-Yacheng Operation Company of CNOOC's Hainan subsidiary.
Natural gas output from deep-water field exceeds 10 billion cubic meters in three years
The speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at a symposium on private enterprises in Beijing on Monday has inspired entrepreneurs to pursue high-quality development and break new ground for the private economy.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said China's private economy has grown considerably in size and accounts for a large proportion of the whole economy, laying a solid foundation for promoting its high-quality development.
The continuous improvement of the socialist market economy and the system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics will provide a stronger guarantee for the development of the private economy, Xi said.
"The meeting convened by the general secretary has given us a boost and greater confidence to continue our development. We will follow the course for Chinese modernization charted by the general secretary, focus on the goal of high-quality development and work unremittingly to create our new glory," said Xu Guanju, chairman of leading chemicals manufacturer Transfar Group.
"Primarily, I think the symposium strengthened our confidence in the development of the private economy. We must follow the general secretary's requirements, stick to developing our industry, focus on our core business without distractions, and serve our country with the industry to realize the dream of building China into a great country," said Wang Chuanfu, chairman and CEO of automaker BYD.
With regard to the difficulties and challenges facing the private sector, Xi encouraged the entrepreneurs to stay committed to development, firm up confidence in growth, and maintain the spirit of striving to win.
The private sector enjoys broad prospects and great potential on the new journey in the new era, Xi said, adding that it is a prime time for private enterprises and entrepreneurs to give full play to their capabilities.
"I'm very excited and inspired. I deeply feel the support and care of the general secretary and the Party Central Committee for private enterprises and entrepreneurs. We must be determined to apply the latest technologies such as AI into our terminal products to enhance the global influence of Chinese products," said Lei Jun, chairman of tech giant Xiaomi.
"All the entrepreneurs present [at the symposium] felt the encouragement from the general secretary, which gave us a clear idea of the future direction of our enterprises, allowing us to work hard to make our businesses better without any misgivings. We can make products really useful for everyone and advance the development of our products with new scientific and technological innovations," said Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics.
"In his important speech, the general secretary repeatedly encouraged enterprises and pointed out the direction of policy support. For example, he emphasized that we should focus on the main business, pursue innovative development, and pool efforts of the country and the society. This is the direction that promises prosperous industry and great opportunities. We should dare to take a step forward and take real action in challenging areas," said Gao Yuejing, chairwoman of Sunresin New Materials.
The entrepreneurs said they will continue to improve the quality, efficiency and core competitiveness of their businesses, strive to promote scientific and technological innovation, cultivate new quality productive forces, and make new and greater contributions to economic and social development.
Xi's emphasis on concrete policies and measures to promote the development of the private sector in his speech has resonated with officials from relevant departments.
Zheng Bei, deputy director of the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC), said the NDRC will take resolute actions to remove obstacles to market access and introduce a new negative list for market access as soon as possible, while promoting fair opening of competitive infrastructure fields and major national scientific research infrastructure to private enterprises.
The commission will be committed to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of private enterprises and entrepreneurs in accordance with the law, he said.
Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Shan Zhongde said his ministry will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that apply special, sophisticated techniques to produce unique and novel products to participate in national scientific research projects.
Shan said the ministry will continue to launch special campaigns to empower SMEs with digital technologies, establish a national service network for them, and guide them to embark on the path of high-quality development.
Xi's speech inspires entrepreneurs to break new ground for private economy