China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) has successfully completed the drilling of the Fushen-1 Well in Hainan, setting a new record for the deepest geothermal exploration well in China at a depth of 5,200 meters. This significant achievement is expected to advance the understanding of deep geothermal formation and enrichment processes in South China.
Initiated in August 2023, the drilling of the Fushen-1 Well targeted a granite formation estimated to be 250 million years old. Throughout the exploration, Sinopec implemented several innovative technologies developed independently. These include a combination of dual-drive drilling and high-pressure injection techniques, which were crucial in reaching the temperature limits of hot dry rock as per national energy industry standards.
The successful completion of the well marks a pivotal moment in the exploration of hot dry rock geothermal resources, both in terms of depth and demographic region. This breakthrough is poised to bolster the large-scale development and utilization of geothermal resources in South China, supporting the country's efforts to adjust its energy structure.
Sinopec plans to conduct extensive research and field tests at the Fushen-1 Well. The company aims to establish the first integrated platform for research, education, and experimentation of deep geothermal energy in South China. This initiative will also focus on developing theoretical methods and technical systems tailored to the regional characteristics, aligning with China's "Dual-Carbon" objectives.
Geothermal energy, recognized for its stability, reliability, and environmental benefits, is seen as a promising green and low-carbon renewable energy resource. It boasts large reserves and wide distribution. Estimates from China's geological surveys suggest that the hot dry rock geothermal resources located 3 to 10,000 meters below China's land area could equate to 856 trillion tons of standard coal. Extracting just 2 percent of these resources could potentially meet China's annual energy consumption nearly 3,000 times over, based on 2023 figures.
As part of its commitment to leading the development and utilization of geothermal energy, Sinopec has already established a significant presence in the sector. The company currently supports a geothermal heating capacity of nearly 100 million square meters and has several large-scale regional geothermal heating projects in operation.
Further cementing its leadership role, Sinopec has developed over 50 percent of the industry standards related to geothermal exploration and also introduced China's first international geothermal association standard. In 2023, it hosted the 7th World Geothermal Congress (WGC2023) in Beijing, highlighting its ongoing contributions to the global geothermal industry.
This pioneering technology in drilling deep geothermal wells holds significant potential for application in the United States, where the interest in and utilization of geothermal energy is on the rise. States like California and Nevada have long leveraged geothermal resources, but there is a growing trend in regions like New York, where geothermal heating and cooling solutions are increasingly seen as viable and sustainable alternatives to traditional energy sources. As American energy policies continue to favor renewable resources, the advanced drilling technologies and methodologies developed by Sinopec could offer valuable insights and techniques to further enhance the efficiency and output of geothermal projects across the U.S., supporting the nation's transition to a more sustainable energy infrastructure.
