Major breakthrough in shale gas exploration in Yuanba area, Sichuan, by Sinopec

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Major breakthrough in shale gas exploration in Yuanba area, Sichuan, by Sinopec Source: Author: Publication date: 2012-03-08 The Sinopec Group announced on the 8th that a key exploration well in the Yuanba area of Sichuan, operated by Sinopec’s Southern Exploration Branch, has recently produced high-volume shale gas flows, marking a significant breakthrough in shale gas exploration in this area. It is reported that Yuanba 21, a key exploration well operated by Sinopec’s Southern Exploration Branch, underwent conventional perforation testing in the Da’anzhai section of the fluide-bearing shale formation on March 4, resulting in a high production rate of 507,000 cubic meters per day of shale gas flow. Previously, exploration wells such as Yuanba 102-Side 1 Well, Yuanba 11 Well, Yuanba 101 Well, and Yuanba 5-Side 1 Well all produced moderate-volume shale gas flows in the Dazhanzhai formation; to date, 5 wells in the Dazhanzhai formation of the Yuanba area have yielded commercial amounts of shale gas. Well Yuanba 21 is located in the gentle structural belt of Bazhong in northeastern Sichuan Basin, primarily exploring the Changxing Formation–Feixianguan Formation reservoirs, with additional exploration of the Da’anzhai member of the Ziliujing Formation in the Jurassic period and the Xujiahé Formation in the Triassic period. Sinopec stated that the well produced high-yield shale gas flows, further expanding the exploration results of shale gas in the Da’anzhai section of the Yuanba area. This indicates that the shale in the Da’anzhai section has good gas-bearing properties and is locally enriched with high yields. Next, Sinopec’s Exploration Southern Branch will intensify the evaluation of shale gas targets in the Dadianzhai section of the Ziliujing Formation in the Yuanba area, as well as the planning related to these efforts, with the aim of achieving new breakthroughs