The People's Republic of China presently (end of 1979) produces 2,120,000 b/d of oil from about 85 fields. Most production (77.5%) is from three fields and field complexes in northeastern China--Ta-ch'ing, Takang, and Shengli. The giant Ta-ch'ing alone produces nearly 1 million bbl/day from Lower and Upper Cretaceous nonmarine sandstone reservoirs. In fact, more than 94% of all of China's production is from nonmarine strata ranging in age from Carboniferous through early Pliocene. A small amount of marine oil comes from Triassic and Permian carbonate rocks of the Szechwan basin, and from Devonian and/or Carboniferous strata in the Tung-t'ing basin and the Kwangsi-Kweichow syneclise. Most of the gas which is being produced is from marine Triassic, Permian, Carboniferous, a d Sinian in the Szechwan basin. Increasing emphasis is being placed by the PRC on developing the offshore basins of the eastern seaboard.

Proved petroleum reserves probably do not exceed 14 to 16 billion bbl in the onshore. However, onshore proved, probable, and potential reserves currently are estimated to be 42 billion bbl. Offshore reservoirs could hold an additional 30 billion bbl. Proved offshore reserves are negligible, and do not exceed 10 to 20 million bbl (as of mid-1979). Proved, probable and potential gas reserves are estimated to be 300 Tcf, of which 200 Tcf is onshore and 100 Tcf may be offshore.