Sept 4, 2024 – The China Petroleum and Natural Gas Advanced Technology and Equipment Exchange Conference recently concluded, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge advancements in energy extraction, sustainable development, and next-generation equipment for hydrocarbon exploitation. The conference highlighted China's progress in unconventional energy sources, including marine natural gas hydrates, shale oil, and deepwater drilling technologies, while emphasizing the need for further innovation to achieve commercial viability and environmental sustainability.

Key Discussions on Marine Natural Gas Hydrate Exploitation

One of the focal points of the conference was the development of marine natural gas hydrate (NGH) mining technologies. Experts from the CNOOC Research Institute and Southwest Petroleum University presented findings on China's pilot projects in the South China Sea, which utilized depressurization and solid-state fluidization methods for hydrate extraction. Despite significant progress, challenges such as sand control, deep-sea mining vehicle efficiency, and dual-gradient drilling for shallow reservoirs remain barriers to large-scale commercialization.

Notably, China's solid fluidization well-testing technology has demonstrated potential for green and efficient exploitation of shallow non-diagenetic hydrates, reducing environmental risks compared to traditional thermal or chemical methods. However, international comparisons indicate that Japan's Nankai Trough methane hydrate production tests still hold an edge in certain deepwater extraction techniques.