Chinese Technology Revolutionizes Iraqi Oilfields
BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- "Iraq's oilfield operations have undergone a remarkable transformation towards smarter and more efficient practices, thanks to the cutting-edge drilling technologies developed in China," stated Hussein Mohammed, an Iraqi engineer who has collaborated closely with Chinese technicians in maintaining sophisticated drilling equipment that was originally designed by a Chinese firm at the Maysan Oilfield, located in southeastern Iraq.
In the maintenance workshop of the oilfield, which is primarily serviced by China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) Iraq branch, the advanced drilling system known as "Xuanji" was meticulously taken apart into three segments displayed on instrument racks. Meanwhile, testing data was continuously flowing across the screens of nearby computers, illustrating the ongoing technical evaluations.
The "Xuanji" system, which COSL independently developed in 2014, successfully disrupted a long-standing technological monopoly previously dominated by several European and American companies in the high-end drilling sector. This innovative system made its debut in Iraq’s oilfield development projects in 2020, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector.
An Haiyang, the general manager of COSL’s Iraq branch, explained that the "Xuanji" system combines two state-of-the-art technologies: rotary steerable drilling and logging-while-drilling. "Rotary steerable drilling enhances the power of the equipment while significantly boosting operational safety," An clarified. He continued, "Logging-while-drilling functions like an eye for the bottom-hole assembly, allowing for precise control of the drill bit as it navigates through rock layers that can reach depths of thousands of meters, ensuring accurate identification of oil-bearing formations."
As of now, the "Xuanji" system has achieved an impressive total of 85,000 meters drilled in Iraq, with the cumulative downhole operation time surpassing 21,000 hours.
In addition to this, COSL has introduced the independently developed "Xuanyue" system, which employs cables to lower precision instruments into wells, utilizing a combination of acoustic, electrical, and nuclear magnetic resonance technologies. This system enables the mapping of oil and gas reservoirs, making the resources hidden deep underground "visible." According to An, this technology has successfully conducted over 5,000 logging operations in Iraq, significantly aiding in the enhancement of reserves and production levels.
"A suite of advanced Chinese technologies, epitomized by the 'Xuanji' and 'Xuanyue' systems, has been progressively integrated into Iraq's oil industry, providing fresh impetus for energy cooperation between China and Iraq. This collaboration is instrumental in optimizing and modernizing Iraq's energy sector while advancing its oilfield exploration and development capabilities," Mohammed remarked.
