Beijing, 14 February 2024 (TDI): China’s deepest oil well nears the 10,000-meter mark, marking China’s first scientific exploration. Situated at a depth of over 10,000 meters, this milestone heralds significant progress in deep drilling exploration.
Recently, new drill bits were deployed to facilitate further drilling of the Shendi Take-1 well, which has now reached a depth of 9,850 meters. As of Sunday, the project team has encountered unprecedented challenges in their quest for deeper exploration.
As the depth increased, so did the complexity of the drilling process. The project team has utilized 26 drill bits thus far, with 14 deployed over a distance of about 1,800 meters below the 8,000-meter mark.
Discussions revealed challenges in ultra-deep drilling, such as the drastically reduced drill bit lifespan from 2,000 meters to 140 meters.
China’s oil drilling operation utilized the first automated 12,000-meter deep well drilling rig in history. China’s biggest oil producer’s cooling systems outperformed standard drilling apparatus, showcasing remarkable efficiency and resilience.
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Rising to a height of 82 meters, equivalent to a 24-story structure, this drilling rig boasts increased lifting capability, from 300–400 tonnes to a maximum of 900 tonnes. This enhancement facilitates simultaneous lifting equivalent to 1,500 adult camels, significantly improving operational efficiency.
Furthermore, China’s oil drilling rig features a suite of automated processing technologies, including sophisticated robotic arms and enhanced safety performance. Additionally, China’s oil supply is secured with an Internet of Things (IoT) system, enabling remote transmission.
Tarim Basin’s Scientific Endeavors for China’s Oil Development
Scientific exploration wells, aim to investigate resource usage, climate change, life’s beginnings, and Earth’s evolution. Unlike conventional oil wells, these exploratory endeavors venture into uncharted territories, pushing the boundaries of human understanding.
The Tarim Basin, the nation’s largest petroliferous basin, holds approximately 60% of China’s ultra-deep onshore oil and gas reserves. The Shendi Take-1 well, located in the Tarim Basin, taps into deep deposits below 4,500 meters, yielding over 260 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
Moreover, the Tarim Basin poses significant exploration challenges, with the majority of its reserves lying between 6,000 and 10,000 meters below the surface. Despite these challenges, technological advancements have propelled exploration efforts forward.
