Liaohe Oilfield: Production concessions for restoring wetland ecology

Liaohe River Delta in China's Liaoning Province is home to the world's largest and best-preserved coastal reed marsh. Since 2018, PetroChina Liaohe Oilfield Company has been spearheading an ecological restoration plan for the Liaohekou National Nature Reserve in the province.

Production facilities withdrawn from wetlands

The company has completed the withdrawal of its production facilities from over 900 square kilometers within the reserve. This involved the decommissioning of 813 oil and water wells, and the closure of 21 well stations and 425 well sites, all while concurrently carrying out ecological restoration.

Systematic ecological restoration

A dedicated working group was established, coordinating more than 20 departments to devise five comprehensive safeguard plans and take the project forward. The Huanxiling Oil Production Plant, responsible for 80% of the withdrawal tasks, established a joint task force with construction units to ensure the deadline was met through round-the-clock operations.

Adhering to the principle of "prioritizing natural restoration, supplemented by artificial measures," the company established restoration areas within the reserve for native wetland plants such as reeds and Suaeda salsa . Construction was carefully scheduled to avoid sensitive bird migration and breeding periods. Furthermore, eco-friendly equipment, including enclosed cleaning platforms and multi-layer anti-seepage liners, was deployed to minimize environmental risks at the source.

Sustained protection efforts

Even after the withdrawal, the company maintains its commitment by assigning dedicated staff to conduct regular patrols in the reserve for ecological monitoring. During one patrol, a stranded spotted seal pup was rescued in time by an employee of the company and was taken care of later by the Panjin Wetland Protection Association. A representative of the association commented, "Although Liaohe Oilfield has withdrawn its facilities from the reserve, it remains deeply committed to safeguarding the ecological environment here."