Do you think Fuling only has pickled mustard tubers? Learn more about this bright new star in the energy industry~

Image from Sinopec

Author: Huang Xianghong Duan Yuechu

In today's ever-changing energy landscape, every major energy discovery is like a beacon on the journey of human development. The Fuling shale gas field, a land carrying the hope of energy, is like a gem embedded in the embrace of nature, with a unique and complex ecological environment. It is located in the Fuling area with undulating mountains and winding rivers. The surrounding terrain is rich and diverse, with towering hills with altitudes ranging from 300 to 800 meters, and deep canyons with depths of tens or even hundreds of meters. There are also gurgling streams in between, with a total length of hundreds of kilometers, injecting dynamic vitality into this land.

The four seasons here are distinct, the climate is humid and mild, the annual average temperature is about 18℃, and the annual precipitation can reach 1000-1200 mm. The abundant precipitation and warm sunshine nourish all kinds of life on this land. On this land, the vegetation is lush, and various subtropical plants grow lushly. According to incomplete statistics, there are as many as thousands of plant species in the area, among which tall and straight pine trees and cypresses are scattered on the hillsides, like guards protecting this land; and the valleys between the mountains are the world of bushes and weeds, which are intertwined to form a green ocean, providing a habitat for many wild animals. Hares shuttle and play in the grass, occasionally startling a few birds, chirping and flying away; various insects are busy flying among the flowers, forming a vibrant natural picture.

Recently, a piece of heavy news from Sinopec has excited the entire energy industry and even the whole society. The Fuling shale gas field has just reached a milestone - the newly added 121.356 billion cubic meters of proven geological reserves have successfully passed the strict review of the Ministry of Natural Resources. This news is like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples and attracting countless people's attention.

When we deeply understand the story behind this achievement, we will find that it is the crystallization of the wisdom and sweat of countless scientific researchers and front-line workers. These researchers come from different professional fields, including geologists, geophysicists, drilling engineers, etc. They are rooted in the land of Fuling with unlimited enthusiasm for energy exploration and a high sense of responsibility for national energy security. Geologists are like experienced detectives, relying on keen observation and solid professional knowledge to find clues of shale gas in complex stratigraphic structures. They work tirelessly between mountains and gullies, collect rock samples, and analyze geological structures. The acquisition of each data is full of hardship and persistence. Geophysicists use advanced technical means to "see through" the mysteries underground through information such as seismic waves, providing a key basis for determining the distribution range and reserves of shale gas. Drilling engineers command huge drilling equipment at the field construction site, overcome numerous technical difficulties, and advance deep underground just to open up the channel for shale gas extraction.

From the research results themselves, the newly added reserves are of great significance. So far, the cumulative proven geological reserves of Fuling shale gas field have reached 1018.88 billion cubic meters. This breakthrough in numbers marks that it has successfully become the first trillion cubic meter shale gas field of Sinopec. This is not just a change in numbers, but also an important milestone in the process of optimizing China's energy structure.

As a clean and efficient energy source, the importance of shale gas is self-evident. In the context of global response to climate change and advocacy of green development, the large-scale development and utilization of shale gas will help reduce dependence on traditional fossil energy such as coal, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to the realization of carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. Moreover, the stable supply of shale gas can enhance the country's energy security capabilities and reduce the impact of fluctuations in the international energy market on domestic energy supply.

Experts praised the achievements of the Fuling shale gas field. Some experts pointed out that the successful development of the Fuling shale gas field has provided valuable technical experience and practical examples for global shale gas mining, especially the mining technology innovation under complex geological conditions, which is expected to promote the development of the entire shale gas industry. Other experts believe that this will drive the development of the local economy, create more employment opportunities, radiate from the energy field to multiple related industries, and form a virtuous economic development cycle.

From a more macro perspective, the future of the Fuling shale gas field is full of hope. With the continuous advancement of technology and the accumulation of development experience, we have reason to believe that it will write a more glorious chapter for China's and even the world's energy supply and sustainable development. This achievement also inspires more scientific researchers and energy companies to devote themselves to the development and research of new energy such as shale gas, move towards a broader energy treasure, provide a continuous source of power support for the better life of mankind, and let us move forward more firmly on the road of pursuing a win-win situation of economic development and environmental protection.