Abstract:
China's marine environment has enormous volumes of oil and gas (O&G) resources and immense "blue carbon" potential. In the 14th Five-Year Plan, developing the marine economy, using marine resources, and protecting the marine ecological environment are one of China's important socioeconomic development goals. However, the relationship between the exploitation of offshore O&G resources, the protection of the marine ecosystem, and the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality has not been fully elucidated. This study expounds on the importance and vulnerability of marine ecosystems. Then it combines the status of offshore O&G exploration and exploitation to present a conceptual model of offshore O&G-ecology carbon feedback cycle, the pathway of deep connection, and the necessity of synergic development in carbon neutrality process. This paper advocates strategies such as closer combination of marine protection with offshore O&G design and development, evaluating the carbon budget in the regional ecological assessment and developing low-carbon green oilfield materials to improve the sustainable development and utilization scheme of marine resources. This study aims to provide scientific and theoretical support for relevant institutions and promote in-depth collaboration across marine departments.