China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced that it will resume gas production from the "Lingxui 17-2" gas field located in the deep waters of the South China Sea in the fourth quarter of 2026. This decision was made following an incident earlier this year that led to a temporary halt in production at this field.
Details of the Lingxui 17-2 Gas Field
The Lingxui 17-2 field, also known as "Deep Water No. 1," is the first gas field located in China's deep waters and has a production capacity of 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. This field is located at a depth of 1500 meters in the sea and approximately 150 kilometers (93.21 miles) south of Hainan Province. Production from this field began in June 2021 and is considered one of the largest gas fields in the country.
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Impact of the Incident on Production
CNOOC executives stated that the incident will have a limited impact on the overall production of the company. However, no specific details about the incident have been provided. According to published reports, activities at the Lingxui 17-2 field were halted due to a fire and explosion in the second phase project. This field is recognized as a major supplier of gas needed for southern China and Hong Kong, making it highly significant.
Given the high capacity of this field and its impact on the gas market in the region, the resumption of production there could help strengthen energy supply in southern China. CNOOC hopes that by resolving existing issues, gas production from this field will soon resume and be able to meet the growing energy needs in this area.
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