Sinopec Southwest has discovered new shale gas reserves in exploration well Jinshi 103HF in the Sichuan basin, the first in the Cambrian Qiongzhusi formation, the company said in a release Oct. 24.
The discovery, reaching production of 258,600 cu m/d, has an estimated resource capacity of 387.8 billion cu m, and derisks expansion of shale gas exploration and development in the basin, the company said.
Sichuan basin is comprised of two main formations, Longmaxi and Qiongzhusi. The former has seen significant exploration and production, including China's first deep shale gas field, Weirong, while Qiongzhusi holds exploration potential, Sinopec said.
“The breakthrough will provide a strong impetus for expanding shale gas exploration and development from the single formation to reach new formations and field types, and contribute to build a national natural gas (shale gas) reserve with 100 bcm of capacity in the Sichuan and Chongqing region,” the company said.
