Gas output of the Tarim Oil Field this year had exceeded 10 billion cubic meters by Dec. 5, according to sources with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

The Tarim Basin, in northwestern China, is a leading gas source for China's west-to-east gas transportation project. Currently the Tarim Oil Field supplies gas to 34 large and medium-sized cities in eight provinces and municipalities in northern and eastern China.

So far 30 oil and gas fields have been proved up in Tarim, with proved oil reserves of 526 million tons and natural gas of 724.1 billion cubic meters, which can secure an annual gas supply of 20 billion cubic meters for over 20 years.

The Tarim Basin is China's largest basin with oil and gas reserves, however, it has fairly bad surface natural environment and complicated underground geological conditions.

Counted in oil equivalent, its output was only 33,900 tons in 1989, and the figure rose to 11.13 million tons in 2005. This year it is expected to break the 15 million-ton mark.

Source: Xinhua