Coal rock gas development will become the main force for increasing natural gas production in China (II)

Based on years of theoretical research and practical exploration, Jia Chengzao established the "Complete Oil and Gas System" theory, which integrates conventional and unconventional oil and gas into a unified system, just like seeing the positive and negative sides of the moon, and regards conventional and unconventional oil and gas basins as a complete system to understand oil and gas resources. This theory breaks the previous practice of drilling oil and gas exploration wells to find high areas, not only in depression areas, but also in astonishing discoveries. For example, the largest Sulige gas field in the country has an annual natural gas production of nearly 50 billion cubic meters, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the country's natural gas production. Its gas source is the coal series located 200 meters below it, which belongs to near source tight gas, and coal rock gas is the most core new resource in this system.

"According to this theory, the the Junggar Basin has changed the idea of only drilling the shallow layer, and new resources have been found in the deep layer close to the coal measures. The proven reserves and output of middling coal type gas in China account for 57%, which confirms the importance and effectiveness of the whole oil and gas system in the coal measures." Jia Chengzao said that the theory of the whole oil and gas system is not completely subverting the traditional theory, but is aware of its shortcomings, making up the other half of the "unconventional", so that the understanding of oil and gas resources is more complete, more scientific, and closer to the truth of nature.

As of the end of 2024, China has implemented more than 300 coal rock gas special layer horizontal wells, with a total proven geological reserve of 596.8 billion cubic meters nationwide. The production in 2024 is 2.7 billion cubic meters, and it is expected to reach 4 billion cubic meters by 2025.

At present, the preliminary assessment of geological resources in China has reached 38 trillion cubic meters. According to the current pace of exploration and development and production laws, China will have a production potential of over 30 billion cubic meters by 2035, accounting for about 60% of the planned increase in natural gas production, which will be an important strategic replacement for natural gas.

Although coal rock gas has low production costs, high output, and economic development value, achieving large-scale development still faces practical problems such as engineering technology adaptability, deepening resource evaluation, and coordination of mining rights. It is necessary to further consolidate industry consensus and provide important support for the large-scale exploration and development of coal rock gas and accelerate development.

In promoting the development of coal and rock gas, comprehensive exploration and step-by-step development should be carried out, relying on the theory of the entire oil and gas system, and overall planning should be made for the development layout of coal and rock gas, coalbed methane, and tight gas. With technological breakthroughs and policy improvements, coal and rock gas will become the core force for increasing natural gas production in China, "said Jia Chengzao.