China's top refiner, Sinopec Corp., has discovered a shale gas well located in southwest China’s Guizhou province, state media Xinhua reported, citing authorities.<br /> <br /> Situated in Xishui County of Guizhou, the project, named Dingye-2HF, is located at a depth of 4,417 meters, the deepest so far in the country, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> With a maximum daily output of 105,000 cubic meters, its exploration marks a technological breakthrough in China's deep shale gas drilling.<br /> <br /> The Dingye-2HF gas well is expected to have an average daily output of 43,000 cubic meters and output will be stable, according to the ministry.<br /> <br /> Another shale gas block in the region, located in Fuling District of southwest China's Chongqing municipality, produced 150,000 cubic meters per day last year.<br /> <br /> Shale gas is natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations. As a clean and efficient energy source, it has become an increasingly important source of energy throughout the world.<br /> <br /> <p> China is seeking shale gas development to ensure energy security and optimize energy structure. The country aims to produce 6.5 billion cubic meters of shale gas annually by 2015, according to a shale gas plan for the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). </p> <p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/upfiles/news/image/20140218/20140218171511_2110.jpg" alt="" /> </p>