China has achieved a key milestone in shale gas exploration with the discovery of a large-scale deep shale gas field in its southwestern region, with proven reserves surpassing 100 billion cubic meters, according to China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec).

Sinopec announced that the Yongchuan field, located in the southern Sichuan Basin, has newly verified geological reserves of 124.59 billion cubic meters, bringing its total proven reserves to 148.04 billion cubic meters. This significant find is expected to bolster China’s energy supply and drive further exploration efforts in the area.

The Yongchuan field, classified as a deep shale gas deposit, lies at depths greater than 3,500 meters within the complex geological structure of the southern Sichuan Basin, highlighting the technical achievement of its development.

China has been actively expanding its oil and natural gas production, with a strong emphasis on unconventional resources like shale gas and oil. The Yongchuan discovery reflects these efforts, supporting the country’s goal of enhancing energy self-sufficiency.

Unexploited resources, such as low-maturity shale oil and underground coal gasification, hold substantial potential for future energy development, paving the way for new opportunities in China’s energy sector over the coming decades.