China's First Deep-Water Oil Field 'Lihua' Exceeds 2 Million Tons in Secondary Development Production

The secondary development project of China's first deep-water oil field, Lihua, has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 2 million tons in cumulative crude oil production. This achievement validates China's approach to enhancing production from older deep-water fields and provides a replicable model for future endeavors.

The project, located in the Pearl River Estuary basin at an average water depth of 305 meters, leverages the "Hai Ji Er Hao" jacket platform and Asia's first cylindrical floating oil and gas processing facility, "Hai Kui Yi Hao." These systems, along with 32 production wells, have operated to achieve a peak daily output of 3,900 tons of crude oil.

Crude oil extracted is initially processed on the "Hai Ji Er Hao" platform, then transported via subsea pipelines to "Hai Kui Yi Hao" for further processing and storage before export. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) highlights that the entire chain of operations is independently controlled.

Deep-water oil exploration and production are increasingly important for global energy resources. China has made substantial progress in recent years, extending its capabilities from 300 meters to over 1,500 meters in ultra-deep waters, positioning itself among the few nations capable of independent deep-water oil and gas operations.

This development is part of China's broader strategy to bolster its energy security, which includes other major projects like the "Shen Hai Yi Hao" gas field. The successful secondary development of Lihua oil field signifies a critical step in maximizing domestic energy production.