While the United States continues to lead the world in oil production with a record 13.6 million barrels per day in 2025, China is making significant advances in deepwater exploration. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has announced a major discovery: the Huizhou 19-6 oil field, located approximately 106 miles off the coast of Shenzhen. The reservoir is estimated to hold about 110 million tons of oil, marking China’s first large-scale integrated clastic oilfield in ultra-deep geological formations.
Initial testing has already produced hundreds of barrels of crude oil and tens of thousands of cubic meters of natural gas per day, demonstrating the field’s strong potential. This breakthrough reflects a broader global shift toward extreme-depth drilling as conventional shallow-water reserves continue to decline.
Experts estimate that up to 60% of the world’s remaining oil and gas resources lie in deep and ultra-deep layers.China has been particularly aggressive in this frontier, recently surpassing the United States in the number of wells drilled deeper than 26,000 feet.
However, developing these resources remains a formidable technical challenge due to extreme temperatures and high pressure thousands of feet below the seafloor. As countries compete for long-term energy security, mastery of ultra-deep drilling technology is likely to play a defining role in the future of the global energy industry.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 