New Equipment, New Technologies | The Institute of Geophysical Exploration Tackles Challenges in Shale Gas Exploration to Support Reservoir Enhancement

The “2024 Cryptic Well Holographic Electromagnetic Exploration Technology Service Project” is one of the key projects of the Geophysical Exploration Institute.

In the early stages of development in the Changning block, a preliminary well network was implemented with wide well spacing and insufficient reservoir stimulation. The extent of post-fracturing fracture propagation and the distribution of fracturing fluids remained unclear, and the remaining recoverable reserves were unknown. The holographic electromagnetic method is a three-dimensional electromagnetic exploration technique that enables precise localization and detailed investigation of post-fracturing fractures and the spatial distribution of fracturing fluids in horizontal wells. The resulting three-dimensional data set allows tracking the distribution characteristics of fracturing fluids from various directions and angles, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of fracture distribution before analyzing the potential for exploiting shale gas resources. This approach provides reliable geophysical data for the next phase of re-development of existing wells. After passing the design review and conducting on-site parameter tests, the project has officially commenced production operations, carrying out high-precision 3D geophysical surveys over an area of approximately 336 km², including the densely spaced well areas on four platforms in Changning and their surrounding regions, with a survey depth reaching up to 4,000 meters.

Since the project team entered the site, all members have worked together with one heart and made tremendous efforts to accelerate the schedule while ensuring quality, aiming to complete the fieldwork for this project by mid-April.

To ensure project safety management, the project team strictly adheres to relevant regulations, has established comprehensive safety rules and procedures, and conducts regular safety education, training, and drills. At the project site, the responsibility system for safe production is rigorously implemented, and thorough hazard inspections are carried out to guarantee safety. Construction materials and equipment are subject to stringent quality control to prevent quality-related incidents.

In terms of quality control, the project team strictly adheres to relevant procedures and standards to ensure data quality and accuracy. The project team has established a comprehensive quality management system that features clearly defined quality responsibilities and integrates quality inspection with evaluation. Throughout the project’s execution, the team continuously monitors and tracks the quality of the work by conducting on-site inspections of operational sampling points as well as examining raw materials such as videos and photographs. Moreover, the team actively improves construction techniques to ensure that the project meets quality standards.

During the critical phase of the project, the leaders and experts from the Geophysical Exploration Institute recognized the hard work of the project team, inquired about the challenges encountered during construction, and offered guiding advice. At the same time, the leaders and experts emphasized that this holographic electromagnetic exploration technology service project is of great significance, and the new equipment and technologies will provide crucial support for the redevelopment of the aging shale gas wells in Changning.

This holographic electromagnetic exploration technology service project represents the practical application and technology transfer of the holographic electromagnetic method by the “Wang Anping Science and Technology Innovation Studio” team in Sichuan’s shale gas exploration. The project spans from the validation of operational parameters and analysis of observational system attributes, through high-efficiency, high-precision 3D processing and inversion interpretation, to the development of distribution feature analysis—thus forming a set of key core technologies for the precise identification of remaining resources in densely drilled well areas using the holographic electromagnetic method. These technologies provide a comprehensive assessment of resource utilization, further optimizing development technical schemes and fracturing process parameters, thereby supporting increased reserves in the target blocks and offering crucial technical support for the construction of the shale gas exploration and development pilot zone in southern Sichuan.

Leveraging technological advantages to drive energy transformation and fostering innovative development to achieve industrial upgrading, the project team will diligently fulfill all assigned tasks and contribute to the high-quality development of the Geophysical Exploration Institute.

Executive Producer | Zhang Guangda
Reviewed by | Zou Zhongping
Editor-in-charge | Zhou Huiying
Text | Liu Lei
Figure | Project Department
Editor | Wen Han