Bozhong 19-6 gas field goes into production in Bohai Sea

Phase I of the Bozhong 19-6, the first gas field in the Bohai Sea with reserves exceeding 200 billion cubic meters, has gone into production, adding to the energy supply of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas.

Located in the central Bohai Sea, Bozhong 19-6 has proven natural gas reserves exceeding 200 billion cubic meters and liquid petroleum reserves of more than 200 million cubic meters, making it the largest offshore gas field in eastern China, according to the Tianjin branch of CNOOC China Limited.

The field is currently producing 3.5 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, with daily oil and gas equivalent output exceeding 5,200 metric tons. Its cumulative natural gas production has surpassed 2.8 billion cubic meters.

The new production capacity is expected to help meet energy demand during the peak summer consumption period and further optimize the regional energy mix, the company said.

Developing the field has posed significant technical challenges. Its reservoirs are buried in extremely hard rock formations more than 5,000 meters below the surface, with temperatures reaching 204 C.

During Phase I development, engineers drilled 10 ultra-deep wells extending more than 6,000 meters, setting a record for the Bohai Oilfield.

The oilfield is China's largest offshore crude oil production base. It produced more than 21 million metric tons of oil equivalent in the first half of this year, a record high for the period.

Drilling for Phase II of Bozhong 19-6 is underway.