Xinjiang aims to become China's largest oil producing region by 2010 by nearly doubling its output of crude oil and natural gas, the region's government said.

The northwestern region is expected to produce crude and natural gas equivalent to 60 million metric tons of oil by 2010. In 2005, the region produced 23.93 million tons of crude oil and 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. That's about 31.95 million tons of oil equivalents. The realization of 60 million tons of oil equivalents in production, plus the 20 million ton per year crude imported from Kazakhstan, Xinjiang will become China's largest oil producing region in 2010.

The higher output capacity will be dependent on new reserve discoveries in its oil fields including the Tarim and Junggar basins.

In 2005, China's aging Daqing field in northeastern Heilongjiang Province produced more than 44.95 million tons of oil and 2.44 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

A separate report by China Oil News yesterday said Xinjiang will replace Sichuan Province to become the biggest natural gas producing region in China by as early as the end of the year.

Source:佚名