The Jimsar Shale Oil Demonstration Zone in Xinjiang, which is operated by CNPC and recognized as China's first national-level lacustrine shale oil demonstration zone, achieved cumulative oil production exceeding 5 million tons.

Shale oil is an emerging hydrocarbon resource with significant development potential, yet it is widely recognized as a challenge to extract. In the Jimsar Shale Oil Demonstration Zone, the reservoirs are buried deeper than 3,800 meters, with permeability at one ten-thousandth of conventional reservoirs, making its extraction akin to "squeezing oil from a grindstone". After years of efforts, the Jimsar Shale Oil Demonstration Zone has established China's lacustrine shale oil industry standard system and a full-chain technology system, and summarized an efficient production model integrating drilling, fracturing and production. Since the beginning of 2025, 48 wells have been drilled in the demonstration zone, boosting its daily output to over 5,000 tons for the first time. A new record has also been set for the drilling speed, with a horizontal well achieving daily drilling footage of 1,860 meters. Additionally, the country's first "unmanned inspection" oil production management area has been established, where 24-hour intelligent operation and maintenance are enabled through digital control.