Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-08-31 01:21Core Insights - China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has achieved significant progress in the large-scale application of offshore heavy oil thermal recovery technology, with cumulative production exceeding 5 million tons, making China the first country globally to realize large-scale thermal recovery development of offshore heavy oil [1][3] Industry Overview - Heavy oil is characterized by high viscosity, high density, poor fluidity, and a tendency to solidify, making extraction challenging. Compared to onshore oil fields, offshore operations face smaller working spaces and higher costs, presenting dual challenges in technical equipment and economic efficiency [3] - Approximately 70% of the world's remaining oil resources consist of heavy oil, which is a primary focus for oil-producing countries aiming to increase production. The industry primarily employs thermal recovery methods for high-viscosity oil, which involves injecting high-temperature, high-pressure steam into the reservoir to reduce viscosity and convert heavy oil into more easily extractable "light oil" [3] Development Focus - China's offshore heavy oil thermal recovery is mainly concentrated in the Bohai Sea, with several key thermal recovery oil fields established, including Nanpu 35-2, Ludao 21-2, and Jinzhou 23-2 [3]