The exploration is expected to be completed within one month.

The 1,100m deep well, the biggest of its kind so far in Vietnam , is reckoned to contain 18 million m3 of gas of which 10.5m3 is likely to be extracted. This will help to reduce the shortage of gas needed to produce certain construction materials and supply porcelain, tile and glass factories in the Tien Hai industrial zone.

According to the Viet Nam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin), within the Red River Delta area there are eight coal fields that house an estimated 210 billion tonnes of coal, mainly in Thai Binh province. Vinacomin plans to make the most of these resources to help develop its Red River Delta’s coal depot.

At a recent meeting between the municipal People’s Committee, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vinacomin, the three sides agreed to use advanced technological solutions in the geological survey and the coal mining industry to ensure that local residential areas and industries do not suffer from pollution.

The coal fields, which lie at depths of between 600m and 1,800m, will be mined using modern underground technology.

This will ensure the nation’s energy security, help improve the economy and sustain the province’s important industrial projects.