PetroChina is launching a large-scale oil and gas exploration project in Sichuan!

According to the notice, this exploration project has been approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources. It is being carried out by the Southwest Geophysical Exploration Branch of China National Petroleum Corporation Oriental Geophysical Exploration Co., Ltd. The project employs 3D seismic exploration technology, aiming to systematically characterize the subsurface geological structures and hydrocarbon occurrence conditions in Yanjiang District through high‑resolution data acquisition, thereby providing a scientific basis for subsequent resource evaluation and exploration‑development planning.

Three-dimensional seismic exploration is the mainstream technique in the current oil and gas exploration field. By artificially generating seismic waves and recording subsurface reflection signals, followed by computer processing to produce three-dimensional subsurface images, it enables relatively accurate identification of favorable traps and reservoir distributions. The scope of this exploration covers six townships in the eastern and southern parts of Yanjiang District; the total area and the specific layout of survey lines shall be determined according to on-site markings by the contractor.

The exploration period will run from May 2026 to December 2026, lasting eight months. Data acquisition activities will be conducted primarily at night, while equipment installation and marker placement will take place during the day.

The notice explicitly states that this exploration is “an important component of national energy exploration” and also “a crucial foundational effort to advance the region’s economic and social development.” At the local level, accurately mapping the distribution of underground oil and gas resources will provide first-hand geological data to help Yanjiang District secure future oil and gas development projects and foster new growth drivers in the energy sector. Should the exploration reveal oil and gas reserves with commercial development potential, it could stimulate local tax revenues, create jobs, and spur coordinated growth across upstream and downstream industries.

From a national perspective, the Sichuan Basin is one of China’s primary frontiers for natural gas exploration and development. The Ziyang area lies on the eastern flank of the Central Sichuan Paleouplift, adjacent to major gas-bearing fields such as the Anyue Gas Field, and boasts favorable geological conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation. The implementation of this 3D seismic survey will help refine the structural–lithologic trap characteristics in the region, thereby providing a new resource‑replacement play to bolster oil and gas reserves and production in Southwest China.

The launch of the 3D petroleum and natural gas exploration project in Yanjiang District, Ziyang City, marks another concrete step in implementing the national energy strategy within the Sichuan Basin, and it also reflects the pragmatic commitment of local economic, scientific, and information‑technology authorities to proactively support national energy exploration efforts. For local residents, gaining an understanding of the scientific principles and safety protocols underlying exploration activities can help allay unnecessary concerns and foster active cooperation with national energy‑related infrastructure initiatives. For the local government, this initiative provides an opportunity to more comprehensively assess the region’s resource endowment, thereby building a robust data foundation to inform industrial planning during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and beyond.

As the project progresses, it is expected that by the end of 2026, Yanjiang District will obtain the first batch of high‑resolution three‑dimensional seismic data, laying a solid foundation for subsequent well‑location optimization and resource‑potential assessment.