China Is Drilling Another 10,000-Metre Hole. This One Is For...

China is drilling another 10,000-meter hole, this one for gas

China is pursuing its quest for energy security by drilling ultra-deep wells in search of natural gas reserves. The latest project is the Shendi Chuanke 1 Well in Sichuan province, which has a designed depth of 10,520 meters (6.5 miles). This is the second time this year that China has embarked on such a challenging drilling project, after the first one in Xinjiang province in May.

Why drill so deep?

Natural gas is a cleaner and more efficient source of energy than coal, which still dominates China's energy mix. China has become the world's fourth largest producer of natural gas since 2021, and its supply of natural gas has now exceeded that of oil. However, China still relies heavily on imports to meet its growing demand for natural gas, which poses risks to its energy security amid geopolitical conflicts, power shortages and global price volatility.

To reduce its dependence on foreign sources, China has been exploring its own domestic reserves of natural gas, especially in the deep and ultra-deep fields that are considered the main battlefield of oil and gas exploration in China. These fields are located in complex geological formations that require advanced drilling technologies and high investment costs.

What are the challenges and benefits?

Drilling ultra-deep wells is regarded as having the most technical challenges in the oil and gas engineering industry. The high temperature, high pressure and high salinity of the underground environment pose great difficulties for the drilling equipment and personnel. The drilling process also requires precise control of the well trajectory, wellbore stability and fluid circulation.

Despite these challenges, drilling ultra-deep wells can bring significant benefits for China's scientific research and resource development. The wells can provide valuable data on the Earth's internal structure, geophysical phenomena and geological evolution. They can also tap into potential reserves of natural gas that are abundant, high-quality and low-cost.

Where are the wells located?

The Shendi Chuanke 1 Well is located in Jiange county, Sichuan province. Sichuan is home to some of China's largest shale gas reserves, which are trapped in deep marine carbonate rocks and deep shale formations. Sichuan is also known for its spicy food, spectacular mountain views and pandas.

The first ultra-deep well that China drilled this year was the Kunlun 1 Well in Tarim Basin, Xinjiang province. Tarim Basin is one of the most petroleum-rich regions in China, with abundant reserves of conventional oil and gas as well as unconventional resources such as tight gas, coalbed methane and shale gas. Xinjiang is also a diverse and multicultural region with rich historical and cultural heritage.

What are the prospects?

China's ultra-deep drilling projects are part of its wider infrastructure to enhance its energy security and achieve its carbon neutrality goals by 2060. According to its current five-year plan, China is seeking to supply more of its own energy needs by 2025 while advocating for larger domestic oil and gas production and clean energy cooperation with other countries.

China's ultra-deep drilling projects also demonstrate its technological innovation and scientific ambition in exploring the frontiers of nature. By drilling deeper than ever before, China hopes to unlock the secrets of the Earth and the potential of natural gas.

Source: 

(4) China Is Drilling Another 10,000 Metre Hole to Find Ultra-Deep Reserves of Natural Gas. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/china-is-drilling-another-10000-metre-hole-to-find-ultra-deep-reserves-of-natural-gas/ar-AA1ea2sa.
Tags
Muskan

Posted by Muskan

Post a Comment

0 Comments