Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday went to the Longdong area of Changqing oilfield in northwest China's Gansu Province to extend lunar New Year greetings to oil workers.

Wen arrived at the production command headquarters of Changqing oilfield Longdong oil and gas exploration area at about 4 p.m. Saturday to learn about the production and development of the oilfield and extend greetings to the workers.

Located in the provinces and autonomous regions of Gansu, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi, Changqing oilfield has over recent years become the country's fastest-growing oil and gas field in terms of proven reserves and output.

The total oil and gas output of Changqing oilfield exceeded 40 million tonnes of oil and gas equivalent in 2011. Its output is expected to rise to 50 million tonnes of oil and gas equivalent in 2013.

Cadres and workers of Daqing oilfield, Tarim oilfield, Lanzhou Petrochemical Company and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Sudan branch also briefed Wen on their production through video links.

Wen took notes while hearing reports and gave responses.

He said the cadres and workers of Daqing oilfield were "a very devoted team" as they had maintained the annual crude oil output at above 50 million tonnes for 27 years and above 40 million tonnes for the other nine years.

He appreciated the efforts made by the cadres and workers of Tarim oilfield, saying they had been working in very tough conditions for years. The oilfield's annual output had reached 20 million tonnes of oil and gas equivalent.

He also expressed thanks to workers at Lanzhou Petrochemical Company, saying they have produced a large number of petrochemical products which satisfy industrial and agricultural needs.

The CNPC started its overseas business 18 years ago. Wen extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese working at overseas oil fields.

Wen said that cadres and workers in the oil industry, braving tough working conditions, have made significant contributions in safeguarding the country's energy security.

"Through arduous work, you have ensured the west-to-east natural gas transfer, national oil supply and, subsequently, economic and social development," Wen told the oil workers.

He said that with rapid advancement of science and technology at modern times, oil workers overcame difficulties, made breakthroughs and discovered new oil and natural gas fields one after another.

"These feats have been achieved through technology, as well as your wisdom and hard work," he added.

Wen also inspected an oil well to learn about the differences between the traditional way of work and the computerized production mode.

In a workers' dormitory, Wen played the game of Go with a worker and talked online with family relatives of another two workers.

He had dinner in the cafeteria together with workers, chatting and singing songs with them.