Core Insights - The South China Sea's oil and gas exploration history reflects China's transformation from a "follower" to a "leader" in deep-sea oil and gas exploration technology, with over 25 billion tons of oil and gas resources discovered, surpassing the reserves of the entire Persian Gulf [2][4][12] Group 1: Exploration Achievements - In March 2025, CNOOC announced the discovery of the Huizhou 19-6 oil field, estimated at 1 billion tons, marking a significant milestone in China's decades-long efforts in the South China Sea [4] - The South China Sea's proven oil and gas reserves include 1.38 billion tons of crude oil and 5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, and an estimated 1.3 billion tons of crude oil in the Zengmu Basin [4] Group 2: Technological Advancements - The introduction of the "Ocean Oil 981" platform revolutionized deep-sea exploration, enabling drilling at depths of up to 3,000 meters and revealing previously hidden oil and gas resources [6][10] - The "Ocean Oil 982" platform, known as the "underwater screwdriver," can autonomously drill and extract oil at depths of 3,000 meters, while the "Sea Base No. 1" platform, launched in October 2022, set records for height and weight in China's offshore oil production [10] Group 3: Engineering and Research Efforts - Chinese engineers, referred to as the "deep-sea daredevils," have overcome extreme conditions in the Huizhou 19-6 oil field, located over 5,400 meters underwater, utilizing self-developed technologies to tackle high-temperature and high-pressure drilling challenges [8][11] - The commitment to research and development in high-temperature and high-pressure drilling technology has led to significant breakthroughs, with thousands of drill bits discarded during the decade-long effort [11] Group 4: Strategic Importance - The development of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea is crucial for national energy security and plays a role in international political dynamics, with China actively safeguarding its interests against competing claims from countries like Vietnam and Malaysia [12] - China is also taking steps to establish itself as a rule-maker in international deep-sea exploration, moving away from reliance on Western-dominated regulations [12] Group 5: Environmental Considerations and Future Plans - Despite facing criticism from environmental organizations, China is implementing measures such as zero-discharge drilling fluids and 24-hour monitoring systems to ensure sustainable development [13] - By 2030, China plans to discover two to three additional billion-ton oil fields in the South China Sea, with infrastructure projects aimed at diversifying energy supply and achieving regional balance [13][15]