Major breakthroughs have been achieved in China’s ultra-deep oil and gas exploration technology!

ECF:

Led by Yangtze University “ Deep layer — Distribution of Ultra-Deep High-Quality Carbonate Reservoirs and Prediction Techniques for Large Oil and Gas Exploration Areas ” The project centers on the deep layer. — Addressing critical industry bottlenecks such as the high difficulty and insufficient accuracy of ultra-deep carbonate reservoir prediction, this work has systematically conducted research on fundamental theories and key technologies, thereby establishing an integrated technical framework for reservoir prediction and exploration-area optimization. This framework provides crucial support for deep oil and gas exploration in China.

The project team systematically revealed the deep-level — The mechanisms of formation and evolution of ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs have been elucidated, the primary controlling factors for the development of high-quality reservoirs have been identified, and a new genetic model for reservoir formation has been established, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for reservoir prediction under complex geological conditions.

In terms of technical methodology, innovation has been achieved. Multi-scale geology — Geophysical Collaborative Prediction Technology System By integrating key technical approaches such as diagenetic fluid identification, geochronological and thermometric analysis, and high-temperature, high-pressure simulation, the accuracy of deep reservoir characterization and prediction has been effectively enhanced.

Meanwhile, the project integrates multi-scale reservoir characterization, high-precision geochemical tracing, high-resolution well logging, and 3D seismic imaging technologies to establish a deep-level... in cratonic basins. — A predictive model for the distribution of ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs has overcome the challenges of reservoir prediction under complex, heterogeneous conditions.

Through the aforementioned technical framework, it is possible to accurately characterize the spatial distribution of high-quality reservoirs, prioritize large-scale, favorable exploration belts and target prospects, provide a scientific basis for deep-drilling deployment, and effectively reduce exploration risks.

These technologies have been successfully applied in key basins such as the Tarim Basin, the Sichuan Basin, and the Ordos Basin, supporting breakthroughs in multiple exploration wells, significantly enhancing exploration success rates and development efficiency, and driving substantial progress in China’s deep-layer natural gas exploration.

The project has achieved synergistic breakthroughs in both theoretical innovation and technological application, resulting in a robust technical system with strong scalability. This system can be extended to deep-layer oil and gas exploration in similar geological settings worldwide, thereby playing a crucial strategic role in ensuring the sustained increase in China’s oil and gas reserves and production.

Relying on its deep-level — Original technological achievements and application outcomes in the field of ultra-deep reservoir prediction, This project has won The Tenth Session ECF Third Prize, Technical Invention Award, Energy Technology Innovation Award , the overall results have reached International advanced level 。

 

The 11th ECF Energy Technology Innovation Award 2026 The application and selection process has officially commenced.

ECF The Energy Technology Innovation Award is presented by the Shanghai Joint Research Center for Unconventional Energy and the Coordinating Committee for the East Asia–Southeast Asia Geoscience Program ( CCOP ) at 2016 Co-founded and established in [year], Selected once a year It has long received guidance and support from the China Petroleum Enterprises Association and the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology.

As a highly influential technical award in the field of unconventional energy in the Asia-Pacific region, This award has already been 2023 In [year], it was recommended by the Shanghai Municipal Government and filed with the Office of National Science and Technology Awards. ECF The Energy Technology Innovation Award is dedicated to recognizing technological achievements in unconventional energy and related industries that demonstrate significant innovation, scalability, and socio-economic value.

To comprehensively implement the state’s laws and regulations on science and technology awards as well as the requirements for the management of social science and technology awards, and to align with the national science and technology award system, Since 2025 Since the year, ECF The Energy Technology Innovation Award has refined its award structure and officially established new categories. “ Technology Invention Award ““ Science and Technology Progress Award ” with “ Technology Innovation Award ” Three categories of awards. The aim is to scientifically categorize the nature of research outcomes, emphasizing three dimensions—original invention, engineering application, and practical innovation—to enhance the fairness and professionalism of the review process and comprehensively incentivize achievements across the entire lifecycle of energy technology, from original innovation at the source to industrial application and commercialization.

ECF The Energy Technology Innovation Award is designed to encourage original technological innovation and the commercialization of research outcomes in the field of unconventional energy, recognizing outstanding achievements, institutions, and individuals who have made significant contributions in areas such as scientific and technological invention, engineering practice, and industrial promotion. The selection process adheres to “ Fairness, impartiality, and transparency ” The guiding principle is to place particular emphasis on assessing technological advancement, capability for translating research outcomes into practical applications, industry leadership, and sustainable value, with the aim of building a high-level ecosystem for energy technology innovation.

Award Structure:

1. Technology Invention Award

• To recognize technological achievements that possess independent intellectual property rights, have broken through critical technological bottlenecks, and demonstrate significant originality.

• Establish Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize.

2. Science and Technology Progress Award

• To recognize advanced technological achievements that have been successfully commercialized, delivered significant economic and social benefits, and driven industrial upgrading.

• Establish Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize.

3. Technology Innovation Award

• We encourage the development of products, technologies, processes, materials, designs, and minor inventions or innovations that can significantly enhance production efficiency and R&D effectiveness in practical applications and possess strong market promotion potential. No ranking will be assigned.

*Each award category has a minimum qualifying score. If no entry in a given category meets the threshold, that category will remain vacant and no award will be presented.

Eligibility Requirements:

⚫ Applications for the Technological Innovation Award must meet the following requirements:
1. The technology being submitted for evaluation must have been developed and put into practical application between January 1, 2023, and August 31, 2026. 2. It must have already passed the scientific and technological achievement evaluation organized by the Shanghai Joint Research Center for Unconventional Energy (either through a meeting-based review or a written review). 3. It must meet one of the following criteria: o Possess independent intellectual property rights or key core technologies; o Achieve significant results in engineering practice or market applications; o Generate quantifiable economic benefits or social value; o Receive recognition from industry users or demonstrate strong industry-leading or exemplary characteristics; o Reach a technical level that is domestically leading or internationally advanced.

Cases Not Accepted: There are intellectual property disputes; any project entity that has been involved in a major safety or quality accident and has subsequently been publicly criticized or penalized by the relevant government authorities.

Review Process and Timeline:

1. Application Phase (from today until August 31, 2026)

2. Preliminary Review and Document Verification ( 9 Month)

3. Final Expert Review and Defense ( 10 Early in the month)

4. Award Ceremony and Exhibition ( 10 month 20–23 Day, ECF2026 The 16th Asia-Pacific Conference on Unconventional Energy ( ECF2026 During the Unconventional Energy Conference

The review and defense process is as follows:

1. Project Application and Expert Nomination: Enterprises may self-nominate, or nominations may be submitted by recommending organizations such as industry associations, technology alliances, and professional societies, or by ECF The expert review panel for the Energy Technology Innovation Award will conduct a preliminary selection based on recommendations. The opinions of the recommending organizations may be used as reference material for the preliminary review.

2. Final Expert Review: Projects selected in the preliminary review will undergo a final evaluation by the panel of expert judges, and on ECF2026 During the Unconventional Energy Conference “ Technology Innovation Exhibition Area ” Conduct the presentation.

3. Review Discipline and Confidentiality Policy: All review experts and staff must adhere to the principles of scientific rigor, impartiality, and independence, and strictly comply with confidentiality regulations and conflict-of-interest avoidance procedures.

4. Announcement of Results and Award Ceremony: The list of winning projects will be announced during the ECF 2026 Unconventional Energy Conference.

Presentation of Award-Winning Projects and Subsequent Support:

1. On October 20–23, 2026, at the venue of ECF2026, the 16th Asia-Pacific Conference on Unconventional Energy, trophies and certificates of honor will be presented by specially appointed experts from the Shanghai United Unconventional Energy Research Center (SUI) and by experts from the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programs in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP).

2. Introduction to the Award-Winning Technologies and Companies is in ECF The official websites of the International Shale Gas Forum and the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programs in East and Southeast Asia will publish the announcement in both Chinese and English, followed by coverage from authoritative industry media.

3. Information on the award-winning technologies and companies is published in influential industry journals and magazines.

4. The winning technologies and project initiation requirements are announced on ECF Official Website of the International Shale Gas Forum “ Projects and Technological Innovation ” District.

5. The Shanghai Joint Research Center for Unconventional Energy shall provide support for the application and approval of regional oil and gas technology innovation projects (optional).