Abstract
Oil production in the People’s Republic of China increased from a rate of 20 million tons (400,000 b/d) in 1970 to a possible rate of 50 million tons (1,000,000 b/d) by the end of 1973. Most of the increase (1973 figures) has come from the Karamai-Urho fields of Sinkiang in the Northwest Region (7.4 million tons or 147,500 b/d in 1973), the Taching-Taking fields area of Heilungkiang in the Northeast Region (11.4 million tons or 228,200 b/d), the Shengli fields of the Huang-ho delta area of the Shantung coast (1.8 million tons or 36,400 b/d), and the new Takang fields near Tientsin (Tientsin Municipality). The production rate of the Takang fields is unknown. The Yumen fields of Shansi Province, North-Central Region, continue to be an important producing area (3 million tons or 60,300 b/d), as are the Tsaidam (1.7 million tons or 34,520 b/d) and the Szechwan basins (1.7 million tons or 34,520 b/d). The main Taching field south of Anta continues to be China’s largest producer (9.6 million tons or 191,800 b/d). Of the total production, about 88% is estimated to be from natural oil, 9% is from oil shale, and 3% is from coal liquefaction. China’s most intensive new developments are in the Taching area and in the coastal region in and adjacent to the Gulf of Pohai (Chihli).
