Yang Shi Wang·2025-08-22 04:22Core Viewpoint - The discovery of 1650.25 billion cubic meters of shale gas reserves at the Hongxing Shale Gas Field in Hubei and Chongqing marks the establishment of China's first large-scale Permian shale gas field, which is significant for national energy security [1][7]. Group 1: Shale Gas Reserves - The Hongxing Shale Gas Field has confirmed reserves of 1650.25 billion cubic meters, indicating a major advancement in China's shale gas exploration [1]. - The Permian system, which dates back 299 to 252 million years ago, is recognized as an important reservoir for energy resources like shale gas [1]. Group 2: Exploration and Technology - The thickness of the effective shale gas layer in the Hongxing field is approximately 20 meters, which is below the typical 30 meters threshold, yet it has been deemed valuable due to its higher density [3]. - The project team has developed drilling and completion technologies suitable for thin-layer shale, increasing single well test production from 89,000 cubic meters per day to 323,500 cubic meters per day [5]. Group 3: Strategic Importance - The exploration and development of shale gas are crucial for improving China's energy structure, with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) having established multiple significant shale gas fields, including one with a trillion cubic meters and four others with billion cubic meters of reserves [7].