China discovers world's first large ultra-shallow gas field in ultra-deep waters

(ECNS)-- Lingshui 36-1, the world’s first large ultra-shallow gas field in ultra-deep waters, holds an estimated original gas reserves exceeding 100 billion cubic meters, according to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on Wednesday.

This monumental find represents a significant stride forward for China’s energy sector, and exploration and development of resources in similar marine conditions worldwide.

The Lingshui 36-1 gas field lies in waters southeast of Hainan, China's southernmost island province.

The average operational water depth is approximately 1,500 meters, with an average gas reservoir depth of 210 meters. The field has been verified to produce over 10 million cubic meters per day of absolute open-flow natural gas.

CNOOC has confirmed over 1 trillion cubic meters of natural gas reserves in the Beibu Gulf, Qiongdongnan, and Pearl River Estuary basins in the northern South China Sea.