Drilling deeper than ever before

Since drilling began on May 30, hundreds of oil workers and scientific personnel have steadfastly persevered in the heart of the Taklimakan Desert, facing a relentless 270-day battle against extreme temperatures, severe cold, sandstorms and complex geological conditions. Meanwhile, the borehole has penetrated 13 continental strata, with more than 1,000 drill pipes driven into the ground.

Shenditake 1 is of milestone significance in deep-Earth scientific research and ultradeep oil and gas exploration, said Luo Zuoxian, head of intelligence and research at the Sinopec Economics and Development Research Institute. The major milestone in the country's exploration of deep energy resources will help further guarantee China's national energy security, he said.

On a scientific research level, the ultradeep well can also help explore the evolution of the planet and the origins of life, as well as better address climate change, disaster prevention and resource utilization. Compared to a regular oil well, the scientific exploration well can explore unknown depths previously unexplored, said the CNPC.