Tarim Oilfield hits 20 million tonnes record in ultra-deep oil and gas production

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

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela