China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has started production from its Luda 5-2 North Oilfield phase two development project.

The field is located in the central part of the Bohai Sea at an average water depth of approximately 30m.

CNOOC holds a 100% interest and serves as the operator of the project.

The field is expected to reach peak production of roughly 6,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) by 2026.

The project's infrastructure includes one new auxiliary production platform and one production wellhead platform, with plans to commission 29 development wells, comprising 28 production wells and one water source well.

The development marks a considerable technological advancement in China's ultra-heavy oil extraction, according to the company.

The Luda 5-2 North Oilfield is said to be the first in China to produce from super heavy oil reservoirs using thermal recovery.

By utilising optimised jet pump injection-production technology, the project achieved efficient and cost-effective heavy crude development, strengthening the company's energy supply capacity.

The phase two project builds on the success of phase one, which started production in April 2022.

The phase one project, situated in Liaodong Bay, utilises existing facilities from the Suizhong 36-1 oilfield and includes a thermal recovery wellhead platform and a production platform.

The Kenli 6-1 oilfield 4-1 block development project, located in the south of the Bohai Sea at an average water depth of approximately 17m, also commenced production in April 2022.

Earlier this month, CNOOC began phase one production at the Bozhong 26-6 oilfield development project in central Bohai Bay.

The company also announced the start of production at the Buzios7 project.