(1) Main Research Content

Research and Application of Conventional Electromagnetic Methods for Karst Exploration.

(2) Main Tasks

Addressing the four key challenges faced during shale gas exploration and development in the southern Sichuan region, this studio employs a comprehensive “5+2” exploration approach that integrates geophysical surveys with geological studies. This method enables the detection of geological information—including the basement-cover interface, fracture-developed zones, karst conduits, tectonic fault zones, and aquifer connectivity—within a depth range from the surface down to 1,000 meters. By doing so, it supports environmental assessments, pre-drilling and drilling design, and construction activities, ensuring the scientific reliability of pre-drilling platform site selection, avoiding redundant construction, and effectively controlling platform investment risks.

Question 1: Mudstone and sandstone exhibit a high degree of weathering, and accumulations formed by weathering erosion, collapse, and landslides are widespread.

Question 2: Fractures and fissures in rock joints (primarily tension fractures) as well as fractures and fault zones exhibit relatively well-developed fissures.

Question 3: The widespread distribution of carbonate rocks has created concentrated areas of modern karst development in China.

Question 4: The coal-bearing strata of the Shujiahe Formation and the Longtan Formation have, due to coal mining, given rise to coal mine goaf areas whose nature remains unclear.

(3) Main Achievements

In response to the complex geological and topographical conditions in the southern Sichuan region, we pioneered a new approach to karst exploration that integrates multiple geophysical methods with geological studies. We also developed an innovative integrated technology for multi-scale, multi-parameter drilling risk prediction, filling a critical gap in the assessment of shallow-risk formations during oil drilling operations. Leading my team, I have overseen the filing of five invention patents, 14 utility model patents, and over 50 research papers. Additionally, I’ve mentored 35 engineers, placing our work at the forefront of both theoretical and practical advancements within the industry. In the oil and gas exploration efforts in the Sichuan Basin, my team has successfully completed geophysical surveys for 188 shale gas drilling platforms and 842 wells operated by multiple entities under CNPC and Sinopec in southern Sichuan. The exploration results have generated direct economic benefits of 2.12 billion yuan by reducing drilling failures, improving efficiency, and lowering costs. Indirect economic benefits have reached nearly 10 billion yuan. This technology has become one of the foundational technical pillars for shale gas development in southern Sichuan, significantly accelerating the exploration and development process of the Changning-Weiyuan National Shale Gas Demonstration Zone. As a result, the zone achieved its national target of producing 5.7 billion cubic meters of shale gas by 2020 and maintained stable production of 5 billion cubic meters for three consecutive years—exceeding the original national demonstration zone targets and making a substantial contribution to the overall success of this initiative.

(1) Main Research Content

Research and Application of Fracturing Monitoring Technology.

(2) Main Tasks

Fracturing monitoring and interpretation technologies are crucial for ensuring that fracturing operations achieve optimal results, and they also represent the latest advancements and emerging trends in hydraulic fracturing technology. By applying these technologies, operators can gain a better understanding of fracture and formation conditions, analyze and evaluate the performance of fracturing fluids and the quality of on-site operations, reduce operational risks, ensure that construction proceeds smoothly according to design specifications, and make on-site adjustments based on actual conditions.

(3) Main Achievements

Fracturing technology is an essential tool for the efficient development of oil and gas resources. As a technology for evaluating fracturing performance, the team from the Gu Zhiwen Science and Technology Innovation Studio at the Institute of Geophysical Exploration, in collaboration with Academician He Jishan from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has been working diligently since 2019 to develop two generations of this methodology. This method provides critical support for field operations by offering real-time guidance during construction and post-fracturing evaluations. By monitoring the results, it helps clients gain a deeper understanding of fracture and formation conditions, analyze and assess the performance of fracturing fluids and the quality of on-site operations, reduce construction risks, ensure that operations proceed smoothly according to design specifications, and make timely adjustments and optimizations to operational parameters based on actual conditions. The team has filed a total of four invention patents, ten utility model patents, seven software copyrights, and over 30 academic papers. They have also trained 13 senior engineers. Both in theory and practice, the team maintains a leading position within the industry. In the Sichuan Basin oil fields, the western Chongqing shale gas blocks, and the Ordos Basin oil and gas exploration areas, the team has completed monitoring tasks for more than 60 shale gas drilling platforms and 127 wells, making this methodology one of the foundational technologies for domestic oil and gas development and contributing significantly to Sichuan’s efforts to become a “Shale Gas Capital.”

(1) Main Research Content

Research and Application of Multi-layer System Oil-and-Gas Identification and Coalbed Methane Identification Methods and Technologies Based on Wide-Field Electromagnetic Method.

(2) Main Tasks

By integrating wide-field electromagnetic methods with comprehensive geological analysis, we have investigated the electrical response characteristics of multiple target strata—such as the Liangshan Formation, Qixia-Maokou Formation, and Longtan Formation—lying above the Longmaxi Formation in the southern Sichuan region. Combining this data with existing electrical property information from previously drilled wells in the area, we have conducted a comprehensive study on the electrical characteristics of these multi-layered target strata situated above the Silurian Longmaxi Formation. Our goal is to provide theoretical foundations and technical support for the next phase of oil and gas exploration in the Changning area, thereby advancing the overall oil and gas exploration and development efforts in this region. This project also represents another bold attempt to apply wide-field electromagnetic methods for oil and gas resource exploration. The theoretical insights and technological innovations developed during the course of this project will hold significant reference value for future oil and gas exploration activities in the region.

(3) Main Achievements

Over the past decade, as the nation has focused on developing shale gas—a clean energy source—in the Sichuan Basin and striving to build a “Shale Gas Daqing,” shale gas exploration and development have encountered a series of new challenges. Specifically, shale gas production has been hampered by low resistivity, leading to poor gas yields; conventional geophysical exploration methods have proven inadequate to overcome these detection difficulties. In response, researchers have actively engaged in innovative studies, creatively developing specialized techniques for acquiring, processing, and interpreting electrical properties of shale gas target formations. A suite of complementary technologies tailored specifically for electrical property exploration of shale gas target layers has been systematically summarized, filling a critical gap in geophysical exploration of shale gas resources regarding the detection of electrical structures within target formations. These efforts have yielded significant social and economic benefits: in the past two years alone, they have generated over 50 million yuan in production project contracts for the company. A total of 2,118 km of wide-area electromagnetic survey lines have been completed, providing crucial support to client organizations in the integrated development of multi-layer oil and gas resources across the Sichuan-Chongqing region and generating indirect economic benefits estimated at approximately one billion yuan. This technology has achieved breakthrough results in fields such as solid mineral exploration, geothermal energy, energy development, and transportation, at depths of up to 6,000 meters. More than 60 solid mineral exploration targets, over 30 geothermal targets, and more than 100 favorable oil-and-gas zones have been delineated. Additionally, geological risks along over 100 railway and highway tunnels have been identified and predicted. Over 40 technical reports have been submitted, five of which have been recognized as outstanding achievements. Twelve academic papers have been published in core geophysical journals, and the team has obtained 11 patents and software copyrights. Furthermore, 25 engineers have been trained through this work.

(1) Main Research Content

Research and Application of Full-Wave Electromagnetic Method and Semi-Airborne Electromagnetic Method.

(2) Main Tasks

Conduct applied research on new methods and technologies, such as holographic electromagnetics and semi-airborne electromagnetics.

The holographic electromagnetic method is primarily used for exploration and research aimed at the secondary development of old mining areas. Based on shale gas fracturing experiences over the past few years, it has been discovered that there still remain untapped shale gas resources between old wells. To evaluate the remaining shale gas potential after fracturing and to promote the exploration and development of old mining areas, there is an urgent need for an exploration technique capable of assessing the evolution of fracture networks following production from old wells. This technique should clearly identify the distribution patterns of fractures monitored during inter-well fracturing operations, comprehensively evaluate the overall fracture network configuration, and then analyze the extent to which shale gas resources have been utilized. The three-dimensional results obtained through the holographic electromagnetic method can provide enhanced technical support for the redevelopment of these platforms.

Semi-airborne electromagnetic exploration is a geophysical survey technique that utilizes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with electromagnetic exploration instruments. It is particularly well-suited for complex terrains such as high mountains, deserts, lakes, swamps, and forested areas. Its application fields include deep geological prospecting, environmental engineering, highway (and railway) tunnels, urban underground deep-probing, groundwater and geothermal resource exploration, marine geological surveys, and more—offering significant social benefits to China. The development of new, efficient, accurate, and low-cost airborne transient electromagnetic exploration methods holds great theoretical significance and urgent practical value. Moreover, the growing number of airborne geophysical exploration projects is also poised to deliver substantial economic benefits.

(3) Main Achievements

Since the establishment of the Wang Anping Science and Technology Innovation Studio, in the field of shale gas exploration and development in southern Sichuan, we have collaborated with Central South University and applied China’s first-ever three-dimensional holographic exploration technology for fine identification. We have conducted focused research and pilot tests on areas where early-stage shale gas development has revealed insufficient reservoir modification in well-control zones and undeveloped residual reserves. This work has led to the development of a comprehensive set of key technologies for fine identification using holographic electromagnetic methods to address remaining resources in densely drilled well areas—covering everything from validation of operational parameters and analysis of observational system attributes, through high-precision 3D processing and inversion interpretation, to detailed analysis of distribution characteristics and overall assessment of resource utilization. These technologies have provided crucial technical support for the construction of the shale gas exploration and development pilot zone in southern Sichuan, generating economic benefits worth several billion yuan and bringing about a revolutionary transformation in the exploration industry.

In the fields of engineering in mountainous and uninhabited areas, Wang Anping’s studio has collaborated with Chengdu University of Technology to promote industry-academia-research integration and the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements through airborne electromagnetic methods. The studio has conducted pioneering field trials in complex terrain areas—such as the archaeological site of Li Bing and deep-buried tunnels along highways and railways—undertaking in-depth research and testing on both the hardware and software components of airborne geophysical exploration. During the project titled “Research on Strategies for Enhancing Deyang’s Cultural Soft Power and Accelerating the Construction of a Strong Cultural City—A Study on the Inheritance of Outstanding Chinese Cultural Spirit Reflected in the Ancient Water-Control Relics of Li Bing in Shifang,” the studio applied airborne electromagnetic detection technology to archaeological research, exploring the fusion and inheritance of ancient Chinese architectural craftsmanship and modern artisan spirit—a first-of-its-kind endeavor in China. The resulting findings have been recognized by multiple institutions, including the Deyang Municipal Federation of Social Sciences, the Shifang Municipal Federation of Social Sciences, Luoshui Town in Shifang, Guangji Town in Mianzhu, and Qingping Town in Mianzhu. Furthermore, the study “Using Geophysical Exploration Techniques for Archaeological Research and Tourism Planning of the Li Bing Project in Deyang” received the First Prize in the 6th Sichuan Institute of Construction’s Awards for Humanities and Social Science Achievements.

Obtained 6 invention patents, 9 utility model patents, 7 software copyrights, 2 innovative achievements, and successfully approved one monograph.