CNOOC Limited has announced a major oilfield discovery at Qinhuangdao 29-6 within the shallow Neogene stratigraphic interval of the Bohai Sea. The discovery has added over 100 million tons of oil equivalent (mmtoe) of proved in-place resources, marking a significant breakthrough in mature offshore exploration areas.
The Qinhuangdao 29-6 Oilfield is situated in the central Bohai Sea, with hydrocarbon accumulation primarily hosted in the Neogene Minghuazhen Formation. The reservoir is characterized by shallow burial depth and favorable lithological trapping conditions. The discovered hydrocarbons consist mainly of medium-heavy crude oil.
The discovery well was drilled and completed to a total measured depth of 1,688 meters, intersecting 66.7 meters of net oil pay. Production testing results demonstrated stable output of approximately 2,560 barrels of crude oil per day, confirming the commercial potential of the reservoir. Subsequent exploration and appraisal activities have verified that the proved in-place oil and gas resources of Qinhuangdao 29-6 exceed 100 million tons of oil equivalent.
According to Mr. Xu Changgui, Chief Geologist of CNOOC Limited, the discovery was achieved through systematic enhancement of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation models in shallow Neogene slope settings, supported by continuous technological innovation. He noted that the findings overturn the conventional geological assumption that slope zones primarily act as hydrocarbon migration pathways rather than effective accumulation areas. The success further demonstrates the strong exploration potential of uplifted peripheral slope belts under conditions of intense extensional and strike-slip faulting.
Qinhuangdao 29-6 represents the second 100-million-ton-class lithological oilfield discovered within the mature Shijiutuo Uplift exploration area. This milestone underscores the effectiveness of fine-scale geological evaluation and advanced exploration methodologies, while further strengthening CNOOC Limited’s resource base for sustained reserve replacement and production growth in the Bohai offshore region.
