Sinopec makes a major shale gas discovery in the Sichuan Basin (China)

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What will test the technological and resource capacity to exploit the shale formations in a field in Qijiang is the existing difficulty to exploit the 145,968 million cubic meters of a gs that accounts for the total proven reserves found at a depth of 1900 to 4500 meters. Logically, these depths are not so deep if we consider those found in oil fields; however, these depths are a challenge if we consider that the exploitation is of natural gas.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) is the company in charge of exploiting and producing this natural gas, this company has the great challenge of exploiting this gas having to drill wells of medium and deep depth, but the most complex thing to overcome is not the depth of the wells, but having to drill them in fields that are in a tectonic zone that is at the margin of the basin, this difficulty lies in the fact that it is the first exploitation of this kind for a shale gas field.

In drilling wells, the deeper the wells are drilled, the more tension there is between the overlying strata, which is a risk that the drill pipe gets stuck and there are also economic losses due to having to leave tools and directional drilling equipment in the subsurface.

In order to find a solution to these challenges, SINOPEC implemented the technology of performing more than 10,000 laboratory analysis tests in the core at a depth of 1,320 m, with the intention of performing more than 10,000 laboratory analysis tests in the core at a depth of 1,320 m. This was done with the intention of finding a solution to these challenges. 320 m, this with the intention of investigating the ecological and production mechanisms of the producing reservoir, these tests revealed the most correct and suitable way in which to maintain the wells that will serve as a means of gas production, the other thing that could be identified with these laboratory studies was the high porosity and permeability of the producing reservoir, which translates into a better production capacity, so it is worth its exploitation.

Are there other technologies involved?

From the point of view of reservoir engineering studies is important seismic studies, so the company SINOPEC also conducted a collection of seismic data in 3 dimensions, these data in turn have the characteristics of having a better analysis if compared in contrast to other variables, that is why SINOPEC with a correct seismic prediction and with real data collected from 3D seismic data could reveal that using the pressure coefficient and gas content of the 3D seismic analysis, it is possible to predict the fractures in the geological strata of the producing reservoir, and also to know the differentiation of the horizontal stresses of the subsurface.

Finally, the company has also developed a three-dimensional fracturing technology for the producing reservoir of natural gas-bearing sands that takes advantage of precision cutting, pressurization and expansion, balanced expansion and guaranteed backfilling.

With this three-dimensional fracturing in a generalized form what is sought is to improve the production associated with the producing reservoir in the least amount of wells drilled, since with this type of fracturing the permeability of the reservoir is improved, obtaining a better production capacity, being able to reach maximum production of 500 thousand cubic meters of gas in production.

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Sinopec makes major shale gas discovery in China’s Sichuan basin

Sinopec makes major shale gas discovery in China