BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China's total oil and gas output reached 420 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2025, a new record high, according to a report released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday.

Crude oil output hit an all-time high of 216 million tonnes in 2025, while natural gas output registered an annual increase of over 10 billion cubic meters for the ninth consecutive year, marking a notable improvement in the country's independent energy security capacity, according to the NEA.

China's shale oil output exceeded 8.5 million tonnes in 2025, more than 10 times the volume recorded in 2018.

The report noted that from 2019 to 2025, the oil and gas sector fully implemented the seven-year action plan to boost domestic oil and gas exploration and development, hitting record highs in both reserves and output.

In 2026, the sector will launch a new round of strategic oil and gas exploration and development campaigns, continue to increase investment in the sector, and maintain domestic crude oil output above 200 million tonnes while further increasing natural gas output.

China's crude oil and natural gas output exceeded 400 million tonnes of oil equivalent for the first time in 2024, according to the NEA.■