In recent years, China has achieved remarkable results in the research on continental shale oil extraction technologies. In 2024, the shale oil production will reach more than 6 million tons. Nevertheless, we should clearly recognize that there is still a long way to go to fully achieve the goals of the shale oil revolution. It is extremely important to re - understand the characteristics of China's continental shale oil.
The exploration and development of China's continental shale oil has gone through multiple stages, from the discovery of fractured reservoirs in shale sections and the concurrent exploration of "conventional oil", to the exploration of "unconventional shale oil", then to targeted technological research and a new round of evaluation and deployment. Domestic scholars initially attached great importance to the comparative study of the geological conditions of marine shale oil in the United States, but found that this comparison based on parameters such as sedimentary environment, burial depth, and lithological characteristics could not fully reflect the differences in geological conditions. The high - yield example of Vaca Muerta shale oil in the Vaca Muerta Basin in Argentina shows that the highest - yielding layer is in the shale layer with high TOC, and the gas - oil ratio in the latest high - yield area is only 12 cubic meters per cubic meter, and the API degree is 25; the exploration of medium - low - maturity shale oil in the Jiyang Depression in the Bohai Bay Basin has also achieved good results. This indicates that maturity, crude oil density, and gas - oil ratio are not decisive factors. It is necessary to re - understand the geological characteristics of China's continental shale oil based on the actual domestic exploration results, and promote technological innovation and iteration. Face up to the technological and management gaps and promote development through open - sharing.
Domestic enterprises have inspected the shale oil and gas development technologies in the United States many times, and found that China has room for improvement in drilling and fracturing efficiency, single - well EUR, and kilometer - well - construction cost. Moreover, the decline in shale oil well production is an objective law. Horizontal wells and high - yield wells account for a minority, while low - yield wells account for the majority. This fact cannot be ignored. Accordingly, we should also strengthen our confidence more and take more positive actions in the aspects of theoretical and technological achievements sharing, data sharing, and artificial intelligence applications.
China has established the Jimusar National Continental Shale Oil Demonstration Zone in Xinjiang, the Gulong Continental Shale Oil National Demonstration Zone in Daqing, and the Shale Oil National Demonstration Zone within the Jiyang Continental Rift Lake Basin in Shengli.These demonstration zones have achieved strategic breakthroughs in technological research. We should further promote mature technologies and experiences, strive to achieve greater breakthroughs in Sichuan, Qaidam, and other small and medium - sized basins, and achieve the goals of increasing reserves and production. At the same time, more actively explore new technologies for enhancing recovery throughout the life cycle. On the basis of conventional enhanced oil recovery technologies such as gas injection for enhanced recovery and chemical flooding for enhanced recovery, explore new technologies such as thermal enhanced recovery, nanomaterial - enhanced recovery, and "temperature, pressure, wind, solar, and energy storage" - coordinated shale oil green mining, significantly reduce costs, and lay a solid foundation for large - scale on - site implementation and application.
It is also crucial to explore new paths for in - situ conversion technologies of medium - low - maturity shale oil. The underground in - situ conversion technology of medium - low - maturity shale oil subverts the traditional development mode. PetroChina is implementing a pilot test of shale oil in - situ conversion in the Chang 73 section of the Ordos Basin. If the test is successful, it is expected to enter the commercial development demonstration stage. At the same time, actively explore new technologies such as in - situ upgrading with supercritical carbon dioxide, providing more possibilities for the effective development of medium - low - maturity shale oil.
In short, the path of China - style shale oil revolution is full of challenges and opportunities. We should fully recognize our own advantages and disadvantages, continuously promote technological innovation and management improvement, actively explore shale oil development models suitable for China's national conditions, and make greater contributions to China's energy security and economic development.