The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced on Monday that it has discovered a major oilfield in the eastern South China Sea, with proven reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes.
The newly discovered Huizhou 19-6 oilfield marks a breakthrough in China's offshore oil exploration, as it is the country's first large-scale integrated clastic oilfield discovered in deep to ultra-deep layers, the CNOOC said.
Situated about 170 km from Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province, the oilfield sits at an average water depth of 100 meters. Test drilling has yielded a daily production of 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas, demonstrating its potential.
According to the company, offshore oil and gas exploration in deep to ultra-deep layers faces multiple challenges, including high temperatures, high pressures, and complex conditions.
Meanwhile, clastic reservoirs, an important component of deep-sea hydrocarbon deposits, generally have low permeability, making it more challenging to identify large oil and gas fields.
Nowadays, 60 percent of the world's newly discovered oil and gas reserves have come from deep layers. With abundant resources and a low level of exploration, deep to ultra-deep layers are expected to drive future growth in oil and gas reserves and production.
China's oil and gas exploration in the eastern South China Sea has seen consecutive breakthroughs, with oilfields exceeding 100 million tonnes in reserves discovered for two straight years.
China discovers major oilfield in South China Sea off Shenzhen
China discovers major oilfield in South China Sea off Shenzhen
China discovers major oilfield in South China Sea off Shenzhen
China discovers major oilfield in South China Sea off Shenzhen
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday said that the latest multi-subject drills conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in waters around the Taiwan Island are completely legitimate, necessary and reasonable.
Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks in response to a relevant query.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday conducted multi-subject drills in waters to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island.
On Wednesday, the Shandong aircraft carrier task group was deployed to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets in areas to the east of the island.
In his remarks, Zhang condemned the Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te for recklessly carrying out provocative actions to seek "Taiwan independence," and escalating tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The PLA's drills demonstrated the determination and will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, serving as a strong deterrent to separatists who intentionally instigate conflicts, Zhang said.
Noting that "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Strait are as irreconcilable as fire and water, Zhang said that those who play with fire will eventually get themselves burned.
Zhang noted that the more provocations they make, the faster they will meet their demise.
The spokesperson also said that certain countries -- if they truly wish for peace and stability in the Strait -- must adhere to the one-China principle and stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
The PLA will continue to intensify military training and preparedness, enhance its real combat capabilities to counter secessionist attempts and foreign interference, resolutely crush all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and firmly advance the process of China's national reunification, Zhang said.
PLA's drills around Taiwan legitimate, necessary, reasonable: defense spokesperson
