China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) has announced a groundbreaking achievement in its Project Deep Earth initiative. The company's Tiebei 1HF well, situated within the Sichuan and Chongqing Natural Gas Base, has set a new national record for the vertical depth of a shale gas well, reaching over 5,300 meters. This remarkable feat was accompanied by a high tested daily output of 314,500 cubic meters of industrial gas flow, signaling a major breakthrough in ultra-deep shale gas exploration.

The Tiebei 1HF well also features an impressive 1,312-meter-long horizontal section, further underscoring the advanced drilling capabilities employed by Sinopec. This success is poised to significantly enhance gas reserves and boost production efficiency within the Puguang area, a region already recognized for its extra-large deep and high-sulfur gas field which has been under efficient large-scale development for two decades.

Sinopec's focus on the Puguang Upper Permian highlights the company's commitment to securing long-term stable shale gas production. Recognizing that substantial resources lie in the ultra-deep field, with burial depths exceeding 4,500 meters, Sinopec tackled the inherent challenges associated with this "forbidden zone." The rapid changes in subsurface strata velocities at such depths presented a significant obstacle. However, through extensive research and a series of technological innovations, Sinopec successfully navigated these complexities.

A key aspect of this achievement was realizing a 100 percent drilling encounter rate of high-quality shale within the horizontal section. This level of precision, likened to "threading a needle in the deep underground," demonstrates Sinopec's advanced drilling technology and expertise. The successful drilling of the Tiebei 1HF well is a testament to these advancements.

Furthermore, Sinopec deployed its self-developed 175 MPa ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) fracturing equipment. This cutting-edge technology allowed for dynamic optimization of parameters on-site, with tailored strategies implemented for each section of the well. This approach effectively opened up a "man-made gas road" within the high-pressure stratum at the record depth of 5,300 meters. By reaching the deepest and farthest extents of the gas reservoir, Sinopec has maximized the potential for resource extraction.

Currently, Sinopec Zhongyuan Oilfield is actively preparing a comprehensive exploration and development plan specifically targeting the Upper Permian shale gas in the Puguang area. This strategic move aims to facilitate the efficient transformation of these newly accessible resources into viable energy production.

The exploration and development of shale gas hold paramount strategic importance for China's evolving energy landscape. Sinopec has consistently demonstrated its commitment to this sector, notably with the discovery of the Fuling shale gas field in 2012.