Exploring the potential of oil and gas resources in Sichuan Basin with Super Basin Thinking

Based on the contemporary strategy of PetroChina and the “Super Basin Thinking” initiative, we analyze the petroleum system, the remaining oil and gas resource distribution, and the Super Basin development scheme in the Sichuan Basin with the aim of unlocking its full resource potential. We conclude that, (1) The three-stage evolution of the Sichuan Basin has resulted in the stereoscopic distribution of hydrocarbon systems dominated by natural gas. The prospecting Nanhua-rift stage gas system is potentially to be found in the ultra-deep part of the basin. The marine-cratonic stage gas system is distributed in the Sinian to Mid-Triassic formations, mainly conventional gas and shale gas resources. The foreland-basin stage tight sand gas and shale oil resources are found in the Upper Triassic–Jurassic formations. Such resource base provides the foundation for the implementation of Super Basin paradigm in the Sichuan Basin. (2) To ensure larger scale hydrocarbon exploration and production, technologies regarding deep to ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs, tight-sand gas, and shale oil are necessarily to be advanced. (3) In order to achieve the full hydrocarbon potential of the Sichuan Basin, pertinent exploration strategies are expected to be proposed with regard to each hydrocarbon system respectively, government and policy supports ought to be strengthened, and new cooperative pattern should be established. Introducing the “Super Basin Thinking” provides references and guidelines for further deployment of hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Sichuan Basin and other developed basins.