At the Missan Oil Field in Iraq, the advanced Xuanji drilling system, developed by the China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL), has successfully completed multiple challenging operations. Demonstrating outstanding stability and precise steering capability under severe challenges, such as high temperatures and complex geographical formations, the system has gradually gained recognition in Iraq, becoming an important technological “bridge” for deepening energy cooperation between China and Belt and Road countries.
Iraqi engineer Jawad witnessed how Xuanji evolved from a newcomer in the market to a reliable system in a region long monopolized by international companies. Jawad joined COSL in June 2022 and became a drilling engineer in the Iraqi oil technology project team. He received systematic training at COSL’s head office in China and gradually became a technical expert proficient in operating the system.
Xuanji system first operated in the Missan Oil Field in Iraq in November 2023. The complex lithology of the underground strata and the large well deviation angle present multiple operation risks, such as wellbore instability and trajectory control. Working closely with the Chinese team, Jawad remained on site, monitoring real‑time data and continuously adjusting parameters, ultimately ensuring Xuanji successfully reached the target zone. The performance earned high praise from the client representative.
The technical team has expanded Xuanji’s application in Iraq, and successfully promoted it to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Indonesia and Uganda. Currently, the system has drilled a cumulative 120,000 meters overseas, with more than 152 downhole operations completed. It has completed the full-chain industrial layout and global-scale application, contributing to the development of global energy technology with Chinese wisdom and solutions.
The establishment and growth of the system in overseas oil fields not only demonstrate the technical strength and reliability of China’s high‑end energy equipment, but also vividly reflect the principles of connectivity and win-win cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative through the joint efforts, technology sharing, and trust-building between Chinese and foreign engineers.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
