Significant progress has been made in the research of cutting-edge technologies for oil and gas exploration and development in the Qaidam Basin.

In the aspect of theoretical study, a better understanding of the enrichment law of lithologic reservoirs in oil-rich sags in the west Qaidam Basin has led to a unified 3-level sequence stratigraphic framework of the area, as well as more definite key exploration zones in the near future; a deepened understanding of the dynamic formation mode of biogas reservoirs has extended explorations realm of deep and lithologic biogas reservoirs; and the reconstruction of 3D geological models for some oilfields in the Yuejin oil zone has provided basis for adjusting development plans.

As for technology R&D, three technological packages have been preliminarily developed and integrated, including the joint processing and interpretation of large-area 3D seismic data in the west Qaidam Basin, natural gas content detection in the Sanhu region, and interpretation and comprehensive evaluation of well logging data from low-permeability reservoirs in the west Qaidam Basin. Integrated application of these technologies has resulted in an 84% hit rate of sand body in the exploratory drilling of lithologic targets and an 83.7% coincidence rate in the interpretation of complex reservoirs.

Uncompartmentalized high-quality reserves were proved at Kunbei fault-terrace belt in oil-rich sags of the basin's western area, with a 100Mt reserve identified in the southwest and a new reserve replacement region expected in the northwest. New gas-bearing formation series and new types of gas reservoir were discovered in Sanhu region, and promising prospects are in store thanks to gas exploration efforts along the basin's northern edge, making natural gas a more dependable resource. Pilot tests of secondary development EOR and dewatering gas recovery have delivered initial results.