China Petroleum Exploration ›› 2023, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (6): 70-77.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2023.06.009

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Issues and policy suggestions in exploration rights management of deep to ultra-deep oil and gas resources in China

Xu Huaming1,Cong Haiyue1,Hou Pingshu2,Wang Huiyong1   

  1. 1 Sinopec Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute; 2 Sinopec Zhongyuan Oilfield Company
  • Online:2023-11-15 Published:2023-11-15

Abstract: Associated with the increasing proven degree of shallow to medium-shallow oil and gas resources, the potential of reserve increase is decreasing year by year. Therefore, increasing the petroleum exploration efforts in deep to ultra-deep formations is of great strategic significance in alleviating the pressure of insufficient annual new addition proven oil and gas reserves and ensuring national energy security. In order to ensure the full utilization of resources, promote the discovery of deep to ultra-deep oil and gas resources, and effectively coordinate resources as a whole, some optimization suggestions on the management of deep to ultra-deep mining rights are proposed. There are some issues in the management of deep to ultra-deep mining rights, for example, the period of exploration and production integration is too short, which is insufficient to transfer from exploration to production, the newly transferring deep to ultra-deep mining rights have a small scope, which is not favorable for petroleum exploration, and the overlapping exploration rights lead to duplicate investment in scientific research funds. By systematically summarizing the current exploration and development situation and potential of deep to ultra-deep oil and gas resources, issues in deep to ultra-deep mining rights management are analyzed in detail and targeted solutions are proposed as follows: (1) Renew for another 8-10 years of exploration and production integration upon expiration to ensure that oilfield companies have sufficient time to transfer from exploration to production; (2) Rationally set the size of the transfer mining rights and the renewal and relinquishment/reduction methods, encourage mineral rights holders to increase investment in new blocks, and promote the discovery of oil and gas resources; (3) Establish a special joint research team, link up the equipment, material and components, manufacturing, and application industry chain of petroleum exploration and production in deep to ultra-deep formations, so as to optimize resource investment and improve the overall efficiency of strategic resources in China. In summary, strengthening resource coordination and optimizing mining rights management policies will provide strong guarantees for high-quality and sustainable development of petroleum exploration and development in deep to ultra-deep formations in China.

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