Core Insights - China's offshore heavy oil thermal recovery has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing a cumulative production of 5 million tons, marking a key step in the global offshore heavy oil development sector [3][12][14] - The Luda 5-2 North Oilfield Phase II project has emerged as a leader in this field, showcasing strong development momentum since its production start in February, with over 2 million tons of heavy oil reserves activated and daily production exceeding 500 tons [3][6] Technological Innovations - The development of heavy oil is challenged by its high viscosity and density, making extraction difficult, especially in offshore environments where costs are high and space is limited [6][9] - China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has introduced an innovative "fewer wells, higher yield" thermal recovery model, which enhances single well output through high-temperature steam injection and the use of various gases and chemicals [8][9] Equipment Advancements - CNOOC has successfully developed high-end oil production trees and supporting systems suitable for offshore heavy oil thermal recovery, along with modular equipment specifically designed for this purpose, filling a gap in the domestic market [9][10] Resource Potential - China is one of the world's four major heavy oil producers, with proven heavy oil resources amounting to 3.5 billion tons, indicating substantial development potential [10][12] - Currently, less than 3% of the annual production from Bohai Oilfield, which exceeds 30 million tons, comes from unconventional heavy oil, highlighting the opportunity to convert dormant heavy oil reserves into actual production [10][12] Future Outlook - The offshore heavy oil thermal recovery production is expected to exceed 1 million tons for the first time in 2024, with projections for 2025 indicating a potential annual output of 2 million tons, reflecting the technology's vast potential and promising future [14][16] - Continuous advancements in technology and equipment are anticipated to accelerate the pace of offshore heavy oil thermal recovery capacity construction, contributing significantly to national energy security [16]