CNOOC Limited has announced that the Chinese government has officially confirmed the proven gas reserves in the Lingshui 36-1 gas field, amounting to over 100 billion cubic meters (Bcm).
This significant discovery represents the world’s first large-scale, ultra-shallow gas field located in ultra-deepwater, heralding a new frontier in offshore exploration.
Location and Characteristics of Lingshui 36-1
The Lingshui 36-1 gas field is strategically situated in the southern sector of the Central Sag within the Qiongdongnan Basin.
This gas field lies at an average water depth of around 1,500 meters, with the gas reserves buried at a depth of 210 meters.
These specifications classify it as a typical ultra-deepwater, ultra-shallow gas field. During testing, the field demonstrated an impressive production capacity, with an absolute open flow rate exceeding 10 million cubic meters per day (MMcmd) of natural gas.
CNOOC’s Offshore Exploration Journey
For decades, CNOOC has been dedicated to the exploration of offshore oil and gas resources in the South China Sea.
Their efforts have led to the discovery of several large-scale gas fields across the region, including those in the Yinggehai, Qiongdongnan, and Pearl River Mouth Basins.
Notable fields among these are Dongfang 1-1, Liwan 3-1, Lingshui 17-2, Baodao 21-1, and the latest addition, Lingshui 36-1.
South China Sea as a Trillion-Cubic-Meters Gas Region
To date, the total proven gas reserves in this area have surpassed 1 trillion cubic meters (Tcm), solidifying the South China Sea as a major gas region.
The realization of a trillion-cubic-meter gas region marks a significant milestone in China’s offshore energy sector.
Overcoming Challenges in Ultra-Deepwater Exploration
Xu Changgui, Chief Geologist at CNOOC, highlighted the importance of ultra-shallow gas reservoirs as critical hydrocarbon sources in deepwater environments.
He emphasized that exploring and developing these reservoirs involves overcoming numerous world-class challenges.
CNOOC Limited has implemented innovative exploration strategies and advanced technological methods to address these challenges. The successful discovery of Lingshui 36-1 has paved the way for future exploration in ultra-deepwater, ultra-shallow gas plays.