China's largest ultra-deep oil and gas production base, the Tarim Oilfield, achieved a milestone in 2024 by producing 20.47 million tonnes of oil and gas equivalent from depths exceeding 6,000 meters, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) announced on Sunday.
The oilfield is located in the Tarim Basin in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the largest oil and gas bearing basin with rich ultra-deep resources. The Bozi-Dabei gas zone, a newly developed area within the oilfield, has experienced robust growth in natural gas production for five consecutive years.
"Recently, nighttime temperatures in the Bozi-Dabei gas zone have dropped below minus 20 degrees Celsius. With carefully organized production, we have opened 123 wells, which generate nearly 30 million cubic meters of natural gas from deep underground every day," said Zhou Jianping, chief engineer of the Bozi-Dabei gas zone.
So far, five main producing areas for deep and ultra-deep gas have been built in the Tarim Oilfield, situated on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains and in the heart of the Takla Makan Desert. The daily natural gas output registers over 90 million cubic meters, most of which is extracted from the depths of seven to eight kilometers below the surface.
"By honing drilling techniques and enhancing research support, our 9,000-meter drilling technology has matured, which has also equipped us with key technologies and tools to drill 10,000-meter-deep wells," said Wang Xiaoliang, deputy director of the Drilling Research Department of the Oil and Gas Technology Research Institute under the CNPC Tarim Oilfield.
In 2024, more than 50 wells exceeding 8,000 meters in depth were drilled in the Tarim Oilfield. Notably, the depth of the Shendi Taco 1 exploration well exceeds the 10,000-meter mark, making it the world's second and Asia's first deepest vertical well. This achievement has not only facilitated the advancement of 10,000-meter drilling technology, but also promotes the progress in deep oil and gas exploration in China.
Tarim Oilfield hits 20 million tonnes record in ultra-deep oil and gas production
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
