Xinjiang Oilfield Sets Record for Drilling Cycle of an Ultra-Deep Well

China Petroleum News (Reporter Song Peng; Correspondents Shi Yujie and Liu Peixuan) On May 20, reporters learned that Well Hutian 1-003 in the Xinjiang Oilfield was successfully completed recently. The well was completed at a depth of 7,562 meters after 149.9 days of drilling, setting a new record for the drilling duration of an ultra-deep well in the oilfield. It successfully achieved the “150-day completion” target, marking the first victory in the “150 Project” for ultra-deep wells at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains and accumulating replicable and scalable technical and management experience for the efficient exploration and development of ultra-deep natural gas in China.
Well Hutian 1-003 is located in the Hutubi Anticline within the thrust fault zone on the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, which is the core area for the exploration and development of ultra-deep natural gas in the Xinjiang Oilfield. This region features complex geological structures and is characterized by ultra-deep, high-temperature, and high-pressure formations, presenting significant challenges such as drilling jams, frequent sidetracking, and poor drillability in deep formations. In recent years, through continuously deepening geological understanding and intensifying scientific research efforts, Xinjiang Oilfield has successively resolved numerous technical challenges, with drilling performance indicators consistently reaching new highs.
In late 2025, after the Group Company set the ambitious target of “completing drilling in 150 days” for the Tianshan Gas Field, Xinjiang Oilfield made comprehensive arrangements, established four dedicated task forces, and built a comprehensive, integrated geological-engineering network to tackle the challenge. By focusing on both technological innovation and refined management, the company is fully committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the “150 Project” for ultra-deep wells on the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains.
In terms of technological innovation, Xinjiang Oilfield iteratively upgraded its construction plans, optimized wellbore configurations, and adopted composite wellbore designs to reduce downhole operational risks; it also improved the organic salt drilling fluid system to continuously enhance inhibition and plugging capabilities; and introduced 10 optimization measures to provide end-to-end technical support for accelerating drilling operations.
In terms of management coordination, Xinjiang Oilfield has implemented an integrated joint management system between the contractor and the client, consolidated resources from multiple parties to establish a frontline command center for the Tianshan Gas Field, and set up a daily consultation mechanism through the remote decision-making center. Technical experts analyze downhole conditions in real time and dynamically adjust construction plans, building a standardized construction system featuring rapid response and closed-loop control, while ensuring accountability at every level.
The successful completion of Well Hu Tan 1-003 has further refined the engineering and technical system for ultra-deep wells on the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, achieving multiple breakthroughs in quality improvement, speed enhancement, cost reduction, and efficiency gains. Moving forward, Xinjiang Oilfield will use this well as a benchmark to continuously deepen technological innovation in ultra-deep wells, optimize the integrated collaborative management model, and make every effort to tackle the challenges of ultra-deep natural gas exploration and development.