China’s first national level shale oil demonstration project, the Jiqing field in the western region of Xinjiang, has reached a record production of 215,000 metric tons, or 2,800 tons per day, in the first quarter of the year, according to a report by CCTV.
The Jiqing field is operated by China’s state-owned oil and gas company CNPC, and the production is expected to reach 1.4 million tons in 2025.
China’s oil majors have been investing heavily in developing more technically challenging fields, such as ultra-deep reserves and shale oil, in an effort to reverse the declining production from their mature fields. The Jiqing field’s record output demonstrates the progress China has made in tapping into its shale oil resources.
Shale oil production is an important part of China’s strategy to increase domestic oil output and reduce its reliance on imports. The country has been ramping up efforts to explore and develop its shale oil reserves, which are estimated to be the largest in the world.
The achievement at the Jiqing field shows that China is making strides in its shale oil production capabilities, which could help the country meet its growing energy demand and enhance its energy security in the long run.