China has broken new ground by successfully drilling the deepest geothermal well in the country, named the Fushenre-1 well. This well has achieved a record depth of 5,200 meters, making it the deepest geothermal exploration well in the nation. The project commenced in September last year and was spearheaded by Sinopec, one of China’s leading oil refining and petrochemical enterprises. Notably, Haikou city, the location of the well, lies on one of the world’s four major high-temperature geothermal belts along the Pacific Ring of Fire, renowned for its intense volcanic activity and abundant deep geothermal resources.
The Fushenre-1 well represents China’s first venture into exploring high-temperature geothermal energy at such significant depths, specifically targeting layers approximately 5,000 meters below the surface. The drilling process presented numerous challenges due to the extreme temperatures and abrasive nature of the geological strata encountered.
To overcome these challenges, the exploration team employed advanced technologies such as dual-drive drilling and high-pressure jetting. They also utilized integrated composite impact accelerators to enhance drilling speed and implemented reinforced plugging techniques to prevent potential collapse and leakage. Special attention was paid to selecting instruments and tools capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.
Furthermore, the team took meticulous measures to prevent issues such as drilling pipe sticking and operational leakages. They ensured that the drilling process adhered to environmental standards by minimizing pollution, such as noise and rock debris.
