A Perfect Play of Salt, Bamboo and Gas: The First Petroleum Well (Breakthrough) in the World

Abstract

Although petroleum's current status as the key component of politics, society and technology has its roots in the early 20th century, the petroleum industry is not of recent origin. More than three thousand years ago, petroleum was known as burning water by ancient Chinese people. Especially in the book Dream Pool Essays written in A.D. 1088, some detailed records on the nature, possible use, exploitation techniques and origins of oil and gas were made. The first discovery and exploitation of oil and gas is actually a wonderful play of salt, bamboo and gas. Salt is always playing significant roles in people's everyday life, and therefore, in the economy and politics of a region or country for thousands of years. The ancient China is no exception. Early in 347 AD, to produce enough salt, salt wells were drilled in Sichuan province in the southwest of China, to pump brine to be evaporated. During this process, collecting enough fuel is a big problem. Some careful people found lots of gas and oil coming out together with brine and fortunately they can be burned. So people drill some new oil and gas wells (over 240 meters) nearby and carry them to salt springs through certain pipes. The local light and hollow bamboo pole is also a key point during these processes, because it can act as not only drill pipe but also pipelines to connect gas wells with salt springs. Some great gas fields are found on this place in recent decades. In this play, salt, bamboo and gas are all indispensable, and the lack of every element would lead to the failure of that first great petroleum well or breakthrough in petroleum history. But it is just the power of nature that dramatically grants this place with salt mine, petroleum resource and good climate for bamboo all at the same time. Techniques on drilling wells and choosing well sites were recorded, and spread quickly around the world. These initiative knowledge of exploration and development of petroleum soon plays great roles in the dawn of modern petroleum industry.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90259 ©2016 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 19-22, 2016