Advancing deep into the Earth and climbing the heights of technology, China has achieved major breakthroughs in three key areas: ultra-deep shale gas, efficient hydrogen storage, and strategic mineral exploration.

China’s Shale Gas Reaches Ultra-Deep Layers

On the 13th, the Dongfeng Shale Gas Field in Ziyang, Sichuan, operated by Sinopec, passed expert review by the Ministry of Natural Resources, with proven geological reserves of 235.687 billion cubic meters. This marks the birth of an ultra-deep, hundred-billion-cubic-meter shale gas field, advancing shale gas exploration and development into the new ultra-deep realm of over 4,500 meters, achieving a leap from deep to ultra-deep shale gas in China.

The discovered gas reservoir belongs to the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation shale series, formed 540 million years ago, making it the oldest shale formation globally to achieve commercial-scale discovery. This area not only features thick, difficult-to-drill strata but also faces extreme underground conditions of high temperature and high pressure, posing immense engineering challenges, with its exploration and development recognized as a world-class problem.

Chinese Research Team Solves Hydrogen Storage Challenge

According to the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, a research team led by Professor Chen Ping has recently developed a gas-solid hydride prototype battery using hydrogen and metal as electrodes (referred to as a “gas-solid battery”). Through a “hydrogen-electricity co-storage” model, it provides a prototype validation for efficient hydrogen storage at room temperature and pressure. The results were published on May 13 in the international academic journal Joule.

This research breakthrough eliminates the need for extreme conditions such as high pressure or deep cooling required by traditional hydrogen storage, offering a new technical pathway to solve the hydrogen storage challenge that has plagued hydrogen energy utilization for over half a century. It is expected to promote the implementation of new hydrogen storage technologies and support the high-quality development of the hydrogen energy industry.

New Strategic Mineral Findings Unveiled

The Ministry of Natural Resources released the latest findings in strategic mineral exploration on the 13th. The Luobusha mining area in Tibet added 738,300 tons of chromite resources, achieving a breakthrough in deep and edge exploration of the mine, providing significant support for meeting China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” mineral resource targets. The exploration team also discovered the world’s fourth new type of chromite deposit for the first time in the Dongqiao area of Tibet, adding 1.1463 million tons of associated chromite ore, expanding the thinking and space for chromite exploration in China.

China is one of the world’s largest consumers of chromite, yet chromite is an extremely scarce mineral in the country, with exploration being highly challenging. These factors make it a very important strategic mineral resource for China.

Every breakthrough

strengthens the foundation of China’s energy security.

With a richer resource base and stronger momentum,

China’s economic “energy engine”

is unleashing even more powerful driving force.

Dongfeng Shale Gas Field

The Dongfeng Shale Gas Field, located in the Sichuan Basin of China, is a key site for the country’s shale gas development, with commercial production beginning in the early 2010s. It is part of China’s broader effort to reduce reliance on coal by tapping into unconventional natural gas resources, leveraging advanced hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies. The field has played a significant role in boosting China’s domestic energy supply and reducing its carbon emissions.

Ziyang

Ziyang is a prefecture-level city in Sichuan Province, China, known for its long history dating back over 2,000 years. The area was historically an important cultural and transportation hub along the ancient Southern Silk Road, contributing to the development of the region. Today, Ziyang is recognized for its agricultural products, such as lemons, and its efforts to preserve local heritage, including sites like the Anyue Grottoes.

Sichuan

Sichuan, a province in southwestern China, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system built over 2,000 years ago, which still functions today. It is also the home of the giant panda, with conservation centers like the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Historically, Sichuan served as a vital region for trade and agriculture, and its capital, Chengdu, was a key stop on the famous Silk Road.

Luobusha mining area

The Luobusha mining area, located in Tibet, is one of the world’s largest deposits of chromite ore, a key resource for stainless steel production. It has been extensively mined since the 1960s, contributing significantly to China’s industrial development, but its operations have also raised environmental and social concerns due to the fragile high-altitude ecosystem. The area is now managed under stricter regulations to balance resource extraction with ecological protection.

Tibet

Tibet, often called the “Roof of the World,” is a region in Central Asia known for its high-altitude landscape and rich Buddhist culture. Historically, it was an independent kingdom and later a theocracy under the Dalai Lamas, before becoming part of the People’s Republic of China in the 1950s. Its capital, Lhasa, is home to the iconic Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that once served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama.

Dongqiao area

The Dongqiao area is a historic district in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, known for its well-preserved ancient architecture and traditional water-town scenery. Its history dates back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty, when it flourished as a commercial hub along the Grand Canal. Today, it features ancient bridges, stone-paved streets, and cultural relics that reflect its rich heritage as a center of trade and local life.