New Progress and Development Suggestions for Drilling and Completion Technologies in Sinopec Key Exploration Areas

In recent years, Sinopec has progressed through a series of technical improvements by means of technical research and field practices around key exploration areas, such as the Shunbei, Sichuan-Chongqing, and Ordos areas, etc. It has preliminarily formed key technologies for drilling and completion of ultra-deep wells of 8,000–9,000 m in Shunbei, key technologies for drilling and completion of shale gas wells in Sichuan and Chongqing, key technologies for marine carbonate rocks drilling in Sichuan, and key technologies for low cost drilling and completion of tight gas wells in Ordos Basin, North China. These endeavors support Sinopec’s exploration and development breakthroughs in ultra-deep oil and gas, marine carbonate oil and gas, and unconventional oil and gas resources. As exploration and development continues in increasingly deeper operations, a series of new technical problems and challenges in the key exploration areas emerges. They include the long drilling cycle, the low ROP, frequent downhole failures, and a suboptimal fracturing effect. Therefore, it is necessary to adhere to the required orientation, promote the application of mature technologies, strengthen the key technology research and vigorously implement the “quality, speed, efficiency and production improvement-focused” innovation and efficiency project, so as to provide technical supports for efficient exploration and benefit development in Sinopec key exploration areas.