China’s energy game just leveled up! The Tarim Oilfield, operated by state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, has added 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to its annual output through 14 new ultra-deep wells. This mega-project in Xinjiang’s rugged terrain is now feeding clean energy into China’s West-to-East gas pipelines – powering homes and industries across the country.
Why it matters: At depths reaching up to 8,000+ meters (that’s taller than 25 Empire State Buildings stacked!), these engineering marvels in the South Tianshan Mountains are tapping previously unreachable reserves. The newly operational Bozi 25 well alone has expanded the oilfield’s gas zone eastward by 10 km – think of it as Earth’s hidden treasure chest getting a major upgrade.
Sustainability angle: As global energy demands rise, this development could help balance traditional fuels with China’s green transition goals. While not renewable, natural gas burns cleaner than coal – crucial for regions still phasing out fossil fuels.
For young professionals tracking Asia’s economic pulse: This project demonstrates how next-gen drilling tech meets resource demands in extreme environments. Investors, take note – Xinjiang remains key to China’s energy security strategy!
Reference(s):
Ultra-deep Tarim Oilfield adds capacity of 1b m³ of natural gas
cgtn.com