On February 21st, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced that the first large-scale ultra heavy oil thermal recovery development oilfield in China's offshore area, the Phase II development project of the Luda 5-2 North Oilfield, has been put into operation.

The Phase II development project of Lvda 5-2 North Oilfield is located in the central Bohai Sea, with an average depth of about 30 meters. The main production facilities include the construction of one production auxiliary platform and one production wellhead platform. It is planned to put 29 development wells into operation, with an expected peak daily crude oil production of about 1000 tons.

The Lvda 5-2 North Oilfield is the first large-scale ultra heavy oil thermal recovery development oilfield in China's offshore area, and the Phase I project will be put into operation in 2022. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has achieved a major technological breakthrough in the thermal recovery of offshore heavy oil in this project. By tackling various world-class challenges such as fine scheme design and efficient injection production tubing, CNOOC has successively overcome the integration of high-temperature injection and production of offshore ultra heavy oil, forming a series of characteristic development technologies such as jet pump injection and production integration and downhole high-temperature safety control, laying a solid foundation for China to achieve independent and large-scale production of ultra heavy oil.

To fully tap into the potential of oilfield reserves, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) will launch the construction of the Phase II development project of the Luda 5-2 North Oilfield in 2023. It is reported that the Phase II development project adheres to technological innovation, and through a series of technical breakthroughs such as the theory of ultra heavy oil lifting, temperature and pressure monitoring integrated jet pump, and high-temperature resistant deep well safety valve, further optimizes the integrated technology of jet pump injection and production, completely changes the previous mode of frequent switching between thermal injection and oil production columns, effectively solves the problems of high operating costs and long operating time, further enriches the thermal injection technology system of ultra heavy oil, and better achieves efficient and economic development of offshore heavy oil.

The Bohai Sea is rich in heavy oil resources. In 2024, the cumulative production of heavy oil through thermal recovery exceeded 1 million tons for the first time, which is an important component of the sustained stable production of Bohai Oilfield. Continuously turning heavy oil reserves into production is of great significance for strengthening the exploration and development of China's offshore oil and gas resources.

Xu Jianjun, Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Liaodong Operation Company of China National Offshore Oil Corporation Tianjin Branch, stated that the successful production of the second phase development project of Luda 5-2 North Oilfield marks the gradual improvement of China's offshore ultra heavy oil development technology system, which will further enhance the utilization capacity of Bohai heavy oil reserves and make positive contributions to achieving the strategic goals of heavy oil development and promoting the production of 40 million tons in Bohai Oilfield.