The most significant oil producer in China has started digging a substantial borehole in the remote Taklamakan Desert. The borehole, which is anticipated to go down more than 10,000 meters, may offer important geological information as well as access to ultra-deep oil reserves.
On May 30, the China National Petroleum Corporation started drilling with the goal of getting down 11,100 meters. The borehole, which is situated in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, will be one of the deepest in the entire world. At 12,262 meters, the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia currently holds the record for the deepest hole.
Project Deep Earth 1-Yuejin 3-3XC Well will be rapidly drilled, according to Sinopec, a petroleum refiner involved in the endeavor. In less than 457 days, they hope to reach the greatest depth. Rocks formed between 66 and 145 million years ago during the Cretaceous period will be penetrated by the drilling.
“Deep Earth” exploration has been named one of China’s strategic frontiers by President Xi Jinping. The intention behind this emphasis on geological exploration is to lessen China’s reliance on imports of metals, minerals, oil, and gas.
Oil fields that are significant and deep are found in the Xinjiang region’s Tarim Basin. In the past, Sinopec has developed ultra-deep wells in the area, including the Shunbei oil and gas field, which has wells that are deeper than 8,000 meters.
In addition to gaining access to oil reserves, the drilling project might give scientists important information about the distinctive geology of the Tarim Basin. Water from three mountain ranges is collected in the basin, which was created more than 200 million years ago during the closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean.
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