China's Oil and Gas Output Hits Record High in 2025

China’s total oil and gas output reached a new record of 420 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2025, according to a report released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday. The NEA stated that China’s crude oil output hit an all-time high of 216 million tonnes in 2025, while natural gas output rose by more than 10 billion cubic metres compared to the previous year, marking the ninth consecutive year of increase. This signifies a significant improvement in China’s capacity for energy self-sufficiency. China’s shale oil output surpassed 8.5 million tonnes in 2025, an increase of more than tenfold compared to the volume recorded in 2018. The report noted that from 2019 to 2025, the oil and gas sector fully implemented a seven-year action plan to boost domestic exploration and development. These efforts pushed both reserves and output to record highs. In 2026, the sector will launch a new round of strategic exploration and development campaigns, continue to increase investment, and maintain domestic crude oil output above 200 million tonnes while further raising natural gas production. China’s crude oil and natural gas output first exceeded 400 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2024, according to the NEA.