Reservoir forming conditions and key exploration and development technologies for marine shale gas fields in Fuling area, South China

Abstract

Although shale gas resources are abundant in China, commercial discoveries have not been made before the discovery of Fuling Shale Gas Field. SINOPEC has done lots of theoretical and technological studies on marine shale gas development in China. Research shows shale gas has dynamic accumulations with early preservation and late reconstruction and proposes high-quality shale developed in deep-water shelf as the base and good preservation conditions as the key factor for shale gas accumulation. Key technologies and facilities were developed for geophysical survey of shale gas, design and optimization of shale gas development, drilling and completion of horizontal wells, and fracturing stimulation. As the first and largest shale gas field in China, the discovery and successful development of Fuling Shale Gas Filed has made China the first country to achieve large-scale development of shale gas after North America. By August 2017, Fuling Shale Gas Field had declared 6008.14 × 108 m3 proven reserves, 76.8 × 108 m3 production capacity and 133.9 × 108 m3 cumulative production. The construction of Fuling Shale Gas Field with high level, high speed and high quality has been a good example of shale gas development in China. Its successful experiences can be used to other fields and play an important role in optimizing energy structure and improving environment.