China’s energy sector has reached a significant milestone with its flagship coalbed methane project achieving unprecedented production levels. The Daning-Jixian field, situated in Shanxi Province, has now attained a record-breaking daily output capacity of 11 million cubic meters, according to PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company.
This strategic energy asset, positioned on the eastern periphery of the Ordos Basin, represents China’s pioneering large-scale coalbed methane development initiative. Since its commissioning in 2019, the field has demonstrated remarkable growth, with confirmed reserves totaling an impressive 400 billion cubic meters. The project’s development trajectory shows consistent advancement, having yielded 3.05 billion cubic meters throughout 2025 alone, establishing its dominance as the nation’s foremost coalbed methane production site.
The field’s expansion continues with the ongoing second-phase development program, which promises to augment annual production capacity by an additional 1.5 billion cubic meters. This development aligns with China’s broader energy strategy that prioritizes cleaner fossil fuel alternatives and energy security.
Coalbed methane, categorized as an unconventional natural gas resource, offers multiple environmental and safety advantages. Its extraction contributes to reduced mining hazards, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced energy supply stability. China possesses substantial coalbed methane reserves, predominantly distributed across major coal-bearing regions including the Ordos, Sichuan, and Junggar Basins. Current estimates indicate national reserves surpass 40 trillion cubic meters, representing a considerable energy resource for future development.