Photo: Screenshot of CCTV News

China's first national-level shale oil demonstration zone in Jimsar county, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is operated by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), has achieved a cumulative crude production exceeding 5 million tons, CCTV News reported on Thursday. 

This milestone marks the transition of China's shale oil development from technological exploration to stable production, the report said.

Shale oil is an emerging oil and gas resource with significant development potential, yet it is widely recognized in the industry as challenging to extract. The demonstration zone is located in the eastern part of the Junggar Basin, covering an area of 1,278 square kilometers, with oil reservoirs buried at depths of over 3,800 meters. 

Since the beginning of this year, production capacity construction in the demonstration zone has accelerated, with 48 wells already drilled. Daily production has surpassed 5,000 tons for the first time, reaching a record high.

The oil-bearing rock formations in the Jimsar zone are described as dense. To overcome this challenge, the demonstration zone has established China's continental shale oil development standards and a comprehensive technological system. Drilling speed has set a new record, with a horizontal well achieving a daily drilling progress of 1,860 meters. 

Additionally, the country's first "unmanned inspection" oil production management area has been established there, enabling 24-hour intelligent operation and maintenance through digital control.

Currently, the estimated reserve volume of the Jimsar national-level shale oil demonstration zone exceeds 1 billion tons, laying a foundation for large-scale development. By the end of this year, CNPC's shale oil production is expected to exceed 6.8 million tons, fully achieving the goals of the national shale oil demonstration zone construction, the report said. 

Global Times