Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project seeks to develop and implement a strategy for the sustainable development of the hydrocarbon resources in the Tarim Basin, and to research the causes and effects of widespread desertification in the Tarim Basin area. This project was developed in accordance with programme area 14 of China's Agenda 21 - the sustainable development of natural resources - and will contribute to the comprehensive control and management of desertification (programme area 16C).

1. Background

The Tarim Basin, a mostly undeveloped desert region (560,000 km2) in northwest Xinjiang Province, contains up to 20 billion tons of hydrocarbon resources and is the world's largest unexploited hydrocarbon basin. It was once the site of an important city on the ancient Silk Road, and as such could prove to be a valuable location for research on desertification and its effect on human civilization.

The Chinese government -- with the assistance of the World Bank -- and international petroleum companies have invested billions of dollars to explore hydrocarbon resources in the Tarim Basin, which is expected to become the center of China's developing petroleum industry. Construction has already begun on transportation infrastructure and supporting oil refineries.

Although a great deal of research and investigation of the area's hydrocarbon resources has already been conducted, almost no work has been done on the region's natural resources and ecology. Such research is of vital importance in order to ensure that the Tarim Basin hydrocarbon resources are developed in a sustainable manner, and contribute to worldwide efforts towards the prevention and control of desertification.

2. Objectives

• Long-term Objectives
  • Ensure that the hydrocarbon resources of the Tarim Basin are developed in a sustainable manner, and research the causes of desertification in the area and its effect on human civilization.

• Immediate Objectives
  • Conduct a full scientific investigation of the natural and historic resources and ecology of the Tarim Basin and surrounding areas.
  • Analyze the potential impact of hydrocarbon development upon the ecology and other natural and historic resources of the Tarim Basin.
  • Develop a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable development of hydrocarbon resources while protecting the surrounding environment and natural and historic resources.

3. Activities

• 3.1 Conduct a full scientific investigation of the natural and historic resources and ecology of the Tarim Basin and surrounding areas.
  • Investigate and evaluate the special resources and ecology of the Taklamakan Desert, including the causes and effect of dune migration, the protection of desert resources, and the desert hydrological system.
  • Investigate the historic resources of the ancient Silk Road, including cultural relics, natural scenery and the puzzle of its formation, and potential tourist resources.
  • Analyze the geologic factors affecting the environment and ecology.
  • Research the formation and modification of the Tarim and its relationship with peripheral orogenic zones.

  The duration of this activity will be two years.

• 3.2 Analyze the potential impact of hydrocarbon development upon the ecology and other natural and historic resources of the Tarim Basin.
  • Analyze the Tarim Basin petroleum and gas field and evaluate the prospects for its development.
  • Forecast the demand on environmental resources and the local economy by the development oil and gas resources and the establishment of a petroleum industry.
  • Research the potential impact of hydrocarbon development upon the environment and natural resources of Tarim Basin.
  • Investigate possible measures to ameliorate the environmental impact of oil and gas development.

  The duration of this activity will be two years.

• 3.3 Develop a strategy for recovering petroleum and tapping the natural gas and water supply for the Tarim Basin petroleum industry.
  • Predict the water supply needs of the oil and gas recovery and petroleum industry.
  • Evaluate the scientific mechanisms, resource distribution, supply and drainage paths, water quality and level of surface water and groundwater supplies.
  • Investigate hydrological characteristics in the rivers in and around the desert area, and develop a strategic plan for their development and utility.
  • Research the feasibility and economic costs and benefits of a long-distance water diversion scheme.
  • Study the technology of desalinating brackish and salt water in and around the desert, and evaluate the economic costs and benefits.
  • Develop an optimum long-range plan for providing water supplies of appropriate quality in an energy-efficient manner, and construct a rational engineering system for such water supply.

  The duration of this activity will be three years.

• 3.4 Develop a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable development of hydrocarbon resources while protecting the surrounding environment and natural and historic resources.
  • Build up a data base on the natural and historic resources and ecology of the Tarim Basin, and the prospects for and environmental impact of hydrocarbon development.
  • Conduct a sand-fixing experiment and application.
  • Establish a demonstration area for the development and utilization of oil and natural gas resources, including ecological restoration on the basis of a comprehensive study.
  • Develop a comprehensive sustainable development strategy for hydrocarbon development.

  The duration of this activity will be three years.

  This project will be implemented by the China National Petroleum Corporation and the Municipal Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

4. Inputs

• 4.1 Chinese Inputs
  • Project administration
  • Employment of experts
  • Transportation and office facilities
  • Data collection

• 4.2 International cooperation
  • Field investigation
  • Sample analysis
  • Information and data processing
  • Instruments and equipment
  • Data collection
  • Employment of experts
  • Establishment of laboratories and monitoring network

5. Benefits

The development of oil and gas resources in China as a partial alternative to coal will benefit both the economy and the environment. Ensuring that this development is conducted in a sustainable manner will protect the natural resources, environment and ancient historic relics of northwest China. The results of research efforts here could contribute to worldwide understanding of the causes and effects of desertification.