Sinopec discovers shale gas in Sichuan basin

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) discovered a new gas field in Sichuan basin. The Qijiang shale gas field adds new geological reserve of 145.9 billion cu m, the company said in a release Nov. 25.

Qijiang is the first shale gas field discovered in medium-deep and deep strata in a complex tectonic zone on the margin of the basin. Shale gas reserves at the field lie at depths of 1,900-4,500 m, with the majority deeper than 3,500 m, the company said.

Sinopec conducted more than 10,000 lab analysis tests on the core at 1,320 m depth and obtained 3D seismic data covering an area of 3,662 sq km in the southeastern margin of the basin. Analysis revealed the development and maintenance mechanism of deep shelf shale pores and proved that the deep shale can develop vast reservoirs with high porosity, the company said.