History, achievements and significance of scientific exploration wells: For the 30 th anniversary of the Scientific Exploration Well Program

Thirty years have past since the “scientific exploration well” program (1986−2000) was initiated in 1986. Review and summary of the exploration history, achievements and management experiences are significant for directing future onshore exploration. The program aimed to address critical and fundamental geological challenges and achieve breakthroughs through scientific exploration in new basins, new strata and new regions, on the basis of new geologic cognitions obtained by PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development (RIPED). During 15 years of efforts, 14 wells were drilled, of which Well Taican 1 and Well Shaancan 1 contributed to the discovery of Tuha Oilfield and Jingbian giant gas field, opening the prelude to large-scale natural gas exploration in the Jurassic System in northwest China and the Ordos Basin. Several wells (e.g. Gaoke 1, Jiucan 1, and Qincan 1) produced low-yield oil and gas flows, laying the foundation for later large discoveries. Moreover, a series of strategic domains and targets have been ascertained. In program management, a scientific and rational exploration procedure has been established: the PetroChina headquarter assumes investment risks, RIPED proposes domains/targets, and oilfields undertake specific tasks under the supervision of RIPED, following the rules of “intensive and thorough explorations”. The significance of the “scientific exploration well” program is manifested in transforming scientific achievements into productivity, guiding and driving oil and gas exploration to achieve strategic breakthroughs, and accumulating valuable experiences for PetroChina to carry out risk exploration.