The first scientific drilling project for hot dry rock was formally launched in Longhai County, Zhangzhou City of Fujian Province on May 21, 2015. The project is championed by the Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS).

This scientific drilling project is planned to reach a 4,000m-deep core in the granite region on the southeastern coast of China to further explore the occurrence characteristics and genetic mechanism of deep hot dry rock, evaluate the potential of hot dry rock resources, and provide scientific basis for the development and utilization of hot dry rock in China.

In recent years, China Geological Survey has successively completed the investigation and assessment of shallow geothermal resources in 31 major Chinese cities, the investigation and zoning of geothermal resources nationwide, the investigation of high temperature geothermal resources and the potential assessment of hot dry rock in typical areas.

With the rapid economic development and accelerated energy consumption in recent years, China is now facing a series of ecological and environmental problems, which have threatened China’s sustainable development. The implementation of the scientific drilling program for hot dry rock will facilitate the utilization of the new geothermal resources and the structural upgrading of energy production and consumption in China.

Mr. Wang Xuelong, Vice President (Director General) of the China Geological Survey and Mr. Shi Jiansheng, Director of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, CAGS were present at the launching ceremony.