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https://bestcasting.com.cn/Products/details/2020-1-9999-346
Workers check the pressure of a shale oil well of Jiqing Oilfield, in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Nov 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
URUMQI - The output of China's first national-level shale oil demonstration zone, located in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has exceeded 1 million tons so far this year, marking a significant breakthrough in the country's shale oil exploitation, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) announced Tuesday.
A total of 306 wells have been built in the Jimsar national-level shale oil demonstration zone in the Junggar Basin of Xinjiang since it was established four years ago. It is jointly developed by Xinjiang Oilfield and Tuha Oilfield, two subsidiaries of PetroChina under the CNPC.
The number of new shale oil wells coming on stream this year has doubled compared with 2023, according to Chen Yiwei, a geological engineer of the Xinjiang Oilfield.
Shale oil mainly refers to liquid hydrocarbons that are trapped in formations of shale rock that can be extracted for refining. It is often found in organic-rich shale and thin interlayers of carbonate rocks, sandstones and siltstones.
"Compared with the shale oil reserves in North America, those in the Jimsar zone are buried deeper, have a smaller continuous distribution area, lower maturity and higher clay content, making its development extremely challenging," said Chen.
"In the face of complex geological conditions and technical challenges, we achieved this milestone through technological innovation. This sets a new benchmark for the efficient development of shale oil demonstration zones," said the engineer.