On October 1, 2026, Zhentan-1 reportedly recovered a continuous 6-meter core, about 20 feet long, of Cambrian Yuertusi Formation source rock from a depth of 8,080 meters, or about 26,509 feet. The well is in Wensu County on the northwestern margin of China’s Tarim Basin. SJPEE’s detailed account gives the core’s length and geological identification; Drilling Contractor also reported a recovery at 8,080 meters.
A sample from the Cambrian Yuertusi Formation
SJPEE describes the rock as about 500 million years old and calls the recovery the first source-rock core taken below 8,000 meters on the Tarim Basin’s northwestern margin. Source rock is assessed for its potential to generate hydrocarbons. SJPEE says the physical sample may help evaluate that potential in ultra-deep strata.
A core gives geologists physical material from a deep interval to examine.
The well reached a greater depth the next day
SJPEE reports that Zhentan-1 reached 8,345 meters, about 27,379 feet, on October 2, the day after the core recovery. It identifies a large Sinian structural trap as the well’s exploration target.
