Well hints at gas drilling breakthrough

Sichuan project first in region that extracts clean energy from volcanic stratum

A new well that pumps natural gas from volcanic stratum has been successfully dug in China's southwestern Sichuan province, becoming the first of its type in the region, according to PetroChina.

During initial tests last week, the well produced 225,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day, and reserves in the area are estimated to be huge, said PetroChina Southwest Oil and Gasfield Co, which operates the project.