CNOOC Targets 3,000-Meter Drilling in Deep-Sea Energy Push
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China’s largest offshore oil and gas producer is preparing to double its deep-water drilling capabilities as it targets ocean depths of 3,000 meters.
China National Offshore Oil Corp. recently achieved commercial extraction at depths of 1,500 meters through its Deep Sea No. 1 gas field in the South China Sea. The breakthrough made China the third country — after the U.S. and Norway — capable of independently developing ultra-deep-water energy resources. Company executives said CNOOC must drill deeper to remain globally competitive.
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- CNOOC plans to double deep-water drilling capability, targeting 3,000m depths; already achieved commercial extraction at 1,500m.
- Deep-water operations accounted for 13% of global offshore output in 2025; CNOOC's Hainan branch aims for 61% deep-water production by 2030.
- China's offshore oil rose 4% to 68M tons in 2025, gas up 15% to 30B cu m; US also accelerating marine extraction amid geopolitical race.
- China National Offshore Oil Corp.
- China National Offshore Oil Corp. is China’s largest offshore oil and gas producer, doubling deep-water drilling to 3,000m. It achieved commercial extraction at 1,500m via the Deep Sea No.1 field, making China the third country after the U.S. and Norway for ultra-deep-water development. CNOOC plans to expand deeper, with fields like Baodao 21-1 and Lingshui 36-1, and shift toward marine critical minerals.
- January 2026：
- CNOOC Chairman Zhang Chuanjiang announced the company would shift from being a traditional oil-and-gas driller to becoming a broader energy and resources group.
- April 2026：
- Premier Li Qiang urged China to accelerate its transformation into a maritime power capable of efficiently exploiting ocean resources.
- 2027 (scheduled)：
- China National Offshore Oil Corp.'s (CNOOC) Baodao 21-1 ultra-deep-water gas field is scheduled to begin operations.
- 2029 (scheduled)：
- CNOOC's Lingshui 36-1 ultra-deep-water gas field is scheduled to begin operations.
- By 2030 (target)：
- CNOOC's Hainan branch expects deep-water production to account for 61% of its total output.
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