On the 13th, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced that, for the first time, the total number of offshore drilling wells in China has surpassed 1,000.
Source: Science and Technology Daily
On the 13th, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced that, for the first time, the total number of offshore drilling wells in China has surpassed 1,000. "CNOOC has set new records for key metrics such as drilling efficiency, production timelines, and downtime, marking significant progress in offshore oil and gas exploration and development," said Li Zhong, Chief Engineer at CNOOC's Research Institute and expert in drilling and well completion.
Offshore drilling is known for its high risks, high costs, and advanced technical demands, often referred to as the "three highs." Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, CNOOC has made significant breakthroughs in drilling and well completion technology, with the annual number of offshore wells drilled in China increasing by more than 60% compared to the 13th Five-Year period. Notably, in 2024, the Enping 21-4-A1H well set two national records for the deepest well depth and the largest horizontal displacement.
The milestone of more than 1,000 offshore wells was achieved through optimized capacity design. Li Zhong explained that in 2024, CNOOC completed 13 foundational drilling and well completion designs, driving successful development in complex areas such as deepwater, medium-depth layers, shallow subsea, and low-permeability fields. Additionally, CNOOC has embraced a "fewer wells, higher output" approach, developing a series of technological innovations across four key areas—well type optimization, enhanced production, long-term stable production, and improved oil recovery—and over 10 critical technologies to address challenges in offshore oil and gas field development, such as maintaining steady production and efficiently tapping into lower-quality reserves.