Core Viewpoint - The development of coalbed methane, particularly at the Daqi Gas Field, is crucial for increasing natural gas production in China and ensuring energy security, with significant strategic value for the country's energy independence [2][3]. Group 1: Daqi Gas Field Development - The Daqi Gas Field has achieved a daily gas production of over 1.1 million cubic meters and an annual production capacity exceeding 4 billion cubic meters, accounting for over 80% of the national coalbed methane output [2]. - The field has proven geological reserves of 400 billion cubic meters, and coalbed methane is a type of unconventional natural gas found in deep coal seams, typically buried deeper than 1,500 meters [2]. - China's deep coalbed methane resources are abundant, with estimates indicating that the resource volume exceeds 40 trillion cubic meters at depths of 2,000 meters, with approximately 12 trillion cubic meters being recoverable [2]. Group 2: Strategic Importance of Coalbed Methane - The large-scale development of coalbed methane is seen as a strategic move for enhancing natural gas production and ensuring national energy security, as stated by Liu Hongtao, General Manager of PetroChina's Coalbed Methane Company [2]. - Prior to the 14th Five-Year Plan, traditional exploration theories regarded coal seams deeper than 1,500 meters as having low gas content and high development costs, leading to their classification as a "forbidden zone" for coalbed methane development [2]. - The successful commercial development of coalbed methane began with the Daqi 3-7 well in 2019, and by October 2021, the Jishen 6-7 well had tested a daily gas production of 101,000 cubic meters, marking a significant breakthrough in deep coalbed methane development [2]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The demand for natural gas in China is projected to remain high, with consumption expected to reach 426.55 billion cubic meters by 2025, while domestic industrial natural gas production is estimated at 261.9 billion cubic meters, indicating a substantial supply gap [3]. - Coalbed methane is anticipated to become a key resource for natural gas production in the next 3 to 5 years, following tight sandstone gas and shale gas [3]. - Liu Hongtao emphasized that coalbed methane serves as a "new engine" for driving current performance growth for PetroChina and a "new high ground" for future strategic positioning, while also being a "new cornerstone" for enhancing national energy self-sufficiency [3].