Abstract: During the “13th Five-Year Plan” period, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (hereinafter referred to as CNOOC)
implemented a national energy development strategy action plan. The plan promoted the integration of exploration, development,
and production in unconventional oil and gas in both domestic exploration and the company’s overseas development business.
New domains and new strata were actively explored, with good exploration results and low operating costs. Proven reserves and
production increased rapidly, creating a new situation in offshore oil and gas exploration. CNOOC has carried out scientific research
on exploration theories and key technologies, and developed a series of innovative understandings of hydrocarbon accumulation
mechanisms for stratigraphic-lithologic, high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP), deep buried hill, and deep-water
oil and gas reservoirs. Meanwhile, the company has tackled problems in key technologies such as offshore seismic exploration in
mid-deep layers, efficient drilling in complex strata, and practical equipment for offshore exploration. Major exploration breakthroughs have been made in multiple regions of various geological types, including the buried hills of the Bohai Bay Basin, the deep-water area of the Qiongdongnan Basin, the Yangjiang and Huizhou Sags of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, and onshore tight gas in the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Recoverable reserves from overseas exploration rights have steadily increased, and an initial strategic plan for the overseas business has been developed. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, risk exploration will be strengthened and key technologies for deep formations, deep water high-temperature and high-pressure fields, and lithologic reservoirs studied continuously. Exploration fields and targets are constantly being expanded. The overseas business adheres to the principle of “efficient exploration”, highlighting strategic core areas and striving to obtain more and better-quality reserves.