China has embarked on an ambitious exploration project, commencing the drilling of a 10,000-meter hole for the second time this year, aiming to tap into ultra-deep reserves of natural gas.
According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) initiated the drilling of the Shendi Chuanke 1 Well in Sichuan province on Thursday. The well has been designed to reach an impressive depth of 10,520 meters (approximately 6.5 miles).
This endeavor follows a similar-sized well that CNPC began drilling in Xinjiang back in May. That particular project was regarded as a groundbreaking feat in China, marked as the deepest drilling undertaken in the country at that time.
While the earlier well in Xinjiang was primarily experimental in nature, focusing on testing drilling technologies and collecting valuable data on the Earth’s internal structure, the Shendi Chuanke 1 Well in Sichuan has a different objective. This latest undertaking aims to locate ultra-deep reserves of natural gas, a crucial resource for energy consumption.
Sichuan, known for its spicy cuisine, picturesque mountain landscapes, and giant pandas, also happens to harbor some of China’s largest shale gas reserves. Despite these abundant resources, China’s state-owned oil companies have faced challenges in fully tapping into their potential due to the region’s difficult terrain and complicated underground geology.
In recent years, the Chinese government has been actively pressuring energy companies to enhance fuel security by boosting domestic production. The move comes as a response to a series of power shortages, geopolitical tensions, and global price fluctuations. Seeking to reduce reliance on foreign imports and ensure a stable energy supply, China has emphasized the importance of maximizing its domestic energy resources, including natural gas.
The project in Sichuan represents China’s latest step toward achieving greater energy self-sufficiency and ensuring a steady supply of natural gas to meet its growing demands. As the drilling operations progress, experts and observers in the energy sector will closely monitor the developments, recognizing the potential significance of successful gas discoveries at such substantial depths.