China has reached a major milestone in energy exploration by extracting oil and gas from Shenditake 1, a 10,910-meter-deep well in Xinjiang's Tarim oilfield. This ultra-deep drilling project, Asia's first, highlights China's technological advancements and efforts to enhance energy security. Despite challenges like well wall instability and equipment damage, the team successfully tapped into deep reserves. Initiated in May 2023, the project aims to support future exploration, strengthen energy independence, and position Shenditake 1 as the world's second-deepest man-made hole.
China has successfully begun extracting oil and gas from one of the Earth's deepest wells, the Shenditake 1, which reaches an impressive depth of 10,910 meters. This remarkable achievement, announced by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), marks a significant milestone in the country's energy exploration efforts. Situated in the Tarim oilfield in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the well is Asia's first "ultra-deep" drilling project, according to Xinhua.
“We took 270 days to drill down to around 10,000 metres, but then it took more than 300 days to open up the last 900 metres,” said well manager Wang Chunsheng, as reported by the state news agency. Wang highlighted the daunting challenges encountered during the final stages of drilling, including well wall instability, damage to drilling equipment, and underground leaks. Despite these obstacles, the team’s perseverance and expertise have underscored China’s determination to advance its energy capabilities.
Faced with growing concerns over energy security, China has intensified its domestic exploration of oil and gas resources. As the world’s second-largest economy, the country remains heavily reliant on crude oil imports, primarily from Russia and Saudi Arabia. In 2022, China imported 553 million tonnes of crude oil, a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous year, while domestic production grew by 1.8% to 212.8 million tonnes.
The Shenditake 1 project, initiated in May 2023, has not only uncovered substantial reserves of oil and gas but also demonstrated China’s advancements in drilling technology. Researchers are now analyzing core samples, debris, and drilling data to create a detailed geological map of the area, which will guide future exploration and extraction efforts.
Xinhua reported that the team has developed cutting-edge machinery and techniques capable of reaching depths of up to 12,000 meters. These innovations, designed and manufactured domestically, are expected to bolster China’s energy independence and security. “With the support of these tools and gadgets, China National Petroleum Corporation has drilled through 12 layers of rock, finally ending at a rock formation from 500 million years ago,” the report stated.
This achievement places Shenditake 1 as the second-deepest man-made hole in history, following Russia’s 12,262-meter Kola Superdeep Borehole SG-3, which was completed in 1989 for scientific research purposes. With its success in ultra-deep drilling, China is taking a significant step forward in energy exploration and technological innovation.
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