China Petroleum Exploration ›› 2026, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (1): 14-27.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2026.01.002

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Main progress in oil and gas exploration during the 14th Five–Year Plan period and future development strategy of Sinopec

Zhang Yu1,Zhao Peirong2,3,Liu Shilin1,Liu Chaoying2,3,Wang Huiyong2,3,Che Shiqi1,Li Meng2,3   

  1. 1 China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation; 2 State Energy Key Laboratory of Carbonate Oil and Gas; 3 Sinopec Petroleum
    Exploration and Production Research Institute
  • Online:2026-01-15 Published:2026-01-15

Abstract: Since the 14th Five–Year Plan period, by focusing on three major tasks of expanding resource scale, increasing proven reserves, and
expanding mining rights areas, Sinopec has strengthened research on basic scientific issues, and continuously tackled engineering supporting technologies, achieving multiple major breakthroughs, with the new addition proven oil and gas reserves doubled compared to the 13th Five–Year Plan period: (1) It has innovated exploration theory and technological system for lake basin shale oil, and made significant breakthroughs in various types of shale oil in Jiyang, Fuxing, and Subei areas. (2) It has deepened the “dual enrichment” theory of shale gas, and made significant breakthroughs in the Permian in the eastern and northern Sichuan Basin and Cambrian new formations in the southern Sichuan Basin. (3) It has developed the theory of strike slip faults controlling hydrocarbon accumulation in marine carbonate rocks, rapidly forming a one-billion-ton level condensate oil and gas reserve area in the central Shunbei area. (4) It has conducted research on “fault–facies” dual controlling hydrocarbon enrichment model in clastic rocks, achieving large-scale reserve increase in Sichuan Basin, Junggar Basin, and Ordos Basin. (5) It has innovated new understanding of reservoir formation and hydrocarbon accumulation in mature areas, achieving oil and gas breakthroughs in sub-source rocks in deep subsag, lacustrine carbonate rocks, and lithologic trap in subsags. (6) It has strengthened the protype basin modeling and strategic exploration zone evaluation, and significant breakthroughs have been made in areas with low level of exploration, such as Songliao Basin new areas, Yingen–Ejina Basin, western piedmont belts, and sea areas. (7) It has researched on enrichment theory and key technologies for deep coalbed methane, and made significant breakthroughs in Daniudi and Fuxian areas in Ordos Basin. Looking forward, Sinopec upstream sector should seize opportunities, strengthen confidence in resources, and scientifically respond to challenges, and increase exploration efforts in the multiple aspects, including expanding and holding mining rights, increase economically beneficial shale oil and gas reserves, strategic breakthrough in deep oil and gas in the central and western regions, deep natural gas in the eastern region, and exploration in middle–deep water sea areas, so as to achieve major breakthroughs and new oil and gas discoveries and contribute to safeguarding national energy security.

Key words: Sinopec, the 14th Five–Year Plan, exploration progress, experience enlightenment, development approach, development strategy

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