China's first offshore multi-layer heavy oil thermal recovery oilfield starts drilling

(ECNS) -- Jinzhou 23-2, China's first offshore multi-layer heavy oil thermal recovery oil field began drilling on Wednesday in the waters of the Bohai sea in north China, according to the Tianjin branch of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

Located in the waters of Liaodong Bay, the oilfield features multi-layer and sand-rich heavy oil deposits, making it extremely difficult to extract. Due to its high density and viscosity, the extraction of heavy oil requires special methods like thermal recovery.

The first offshore heavy oil thermal recovery project in China is served by four drilling vessels. The well is expected to meet the needs of a city with a population of a million people for 3.5 years.

The project is part of China's ongoing progress in the oil and gas sector, along with the Lvda 21-1 oilfield and Lvda 5-2 oilfield in the Baohai sea.

Construction of the world's largest offshore heavy oil thermal recovery base will guarantee the energy supply in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, and national energy security.