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Geoscience ›› 2023, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (01): 1-14.DOI: 10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2022.101

• Geophysics and Information Technology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Development of the Chinese Continental Scientific Deep Drilling: Perspectives and Suggestions

ZOU Changchun1(), WANG Chengshan2,3, PENG Cheng1, WU Caowei1, GAO Yuan2,3   

  1. 1. School of Geophysics and Information Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
    2. State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
    3. School of the Earth Science and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2022-09-30 Revised:2022-12-20 Online:2023-02-10 Published:2023-03-20

Abstract:

As the most direct and important method to detect the Earth’s deep interior, scientific drilling plays a key role in solving the strategic technological issue of deep Earth exploration. This study briefly reviews the development and current situation of domestic and international continental scientific drilling and deep drilling, and analyzes the characteristics and trends of continental scientific drilling development. We summarized the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling, its key scientific and technological issues, as well as challenges and opportunities. Accordingly, we proposed the development goals, priorities and approaches of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling. Continental scientific deep drilling can provide a unique pathway for investigating global concerns in Earth sciences, such as geodynamic processes, geohazards, mineral and energy resources, and environmental changes. However, its implementation depth is constrained by ultra-high temperature and ultra-high pressure in harsh borehole environments. Modern scientific advances have promoted the development of various technologies in continental scientific drilling, which provide important support for ultra-deep and extra-deep drilling. The Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling should aim for 9,000-15,000 m extra-deep boreholes, focusing on scientific issues in the fields of ultra-deep, deep-time and deep-observation. Priority development directions can include deep Earth tectonics, deep-life, deep-climate, and deep-resources. The priority detection technologies can include those for drilling, logging, and long-term observation in ultra-high temperature-pressure environments. Priority should also be given to the experimental technique development for ultra-deep matter, dynamics processes, and petrophysics. This would promote a breakthrough in the capacity and level of Earth interior detection in China.

Key words: deep exploration, continental scientific drilling, extra-deep borehole, geophysical logging, deve-lopment strategy

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