Daqing oil field

Daqing Oil Field is the largest oil field in China, located between the Songhua and Nen rivers in Heilongjiang province in the northeast. It sits in a large basin of sedimentary rock called the Songliao Basin.

Oil production started in 1960 and has produced more than 10 billion barrels since. The field helped power China's industrial growth, and its name, Daqing, means "great celebration". The oil is found in the Songliao Basin, a very large sedimentary basin in northeast China. The field helped turn the region of Manchuria into a centre of China's oil industry. Its name marks a national anniversary.

How did it get its name?

The field was discovered in 1959 by geologist Li Siguang. The first well was drilled on 26 September 1959, four days before the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic of China, so it was named Daqing, meaning "great celebration".

Before that, outside writers used the older spelling Taching. The city that grew up around the oil field shared the same administration as the field until 1983. The man known as Iron Man Wang Jinxi led drilling team No. 1205 here, and his hard work became a legend in China.

Why was it important?

Daqing was the biggest oil deposit found in China, with about 16 billion barrels in the beginning. About 3.6 billion barrels are still recoverable.

In the 1960s workers built it quickly despite harsh weather and shortages, and the government held it up as a model for other industries. The field was kept secret until 1964. Over the years, more than 10 billion barrels have been taken out since pumping began in 1960.

On the globe

Find it on the globe in Heilongjiang in northeast China and zoom in to open its card.