China's CNOOC has laid claim to the the country's first ultra-deepwater gas discovery in the northwestern part of the South China Sea.
The Lingshui 18-1-1 exploration was drilled in 1688m (5538ft) water depth and has been certified as a discovery by the Ministry of Land & Resources, according to CNOOC.
The well was near the Lingshui 17-2, discovery, announced in February last year and reported to contain more than 100 billion cu m, according to state media, reported Reuters.
CNOOC used the Haiyang Shiyou 981 semisubmersible drilling rig, to drill the well.
