China sets new drilling speed record

A new daily drilling record of 2,138 meters was set at an offshore drilling project in the southern resort island province of Hainan, announced the China National Offshore Oil Corporation on Saturday.

Offshore drilling is both risky and costly, making improved drilling speed crucial for achieving operational objectives. The record-setting offshore natural gas exploration well, with a design depth exceeding 3,600 meters, encounters bottom-hole temperatures of up to 162 degrees Celsius.

It must drill through multiple strata of varying conditions and address challenges such as abnormal formation pressure gradients.While ensuring operational safety and well construction quality, the team developed new tools and leveraged digital technologies, such as big data, to significantly enhance drilling speed.