The research project "Research on Drilling Technology for Natural Gas Hydrates in Terrestrial Permafrost," led by Professor-level Senior Engineer Zhang Yongqin, used self-developed drilling tools, drill pipes, auxiliary equipment and supporting facilities to implement China's first scientific drilling test well for permafrost natural gas hydrates in the Muli area of the Qilian Mountains, Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 4,200 m, and successfully recovered natural gas hydrate samples. This marked a major breakthrough in China's geological survey and evaluation of gas hydrates in permafrost regions and in hydrate sampling and drilling technology, making China the third country, after Canada and the United States, to discover hydrate samples through drilling and sampling in permafrost regions, and the first country in the world to discover physical samples of natural gas hydrates in a mid- and low-latitude, high-altitude permafrost region. This represents a major breakthrough in China's investigation and research of permafrost gas hydrates and is of great scientific and strategic significance for advancing China's investigation, research, exploration and development of natural gas hydrates.

    While carrying out drilling and sampling, the project team also conducted research on production devices and production technology, developed a pressure-reduction and heating production device and process method, carried out production tests using the completed scientific drilling test well, and tested different production methods, achieving breakthrough progress that will provide technical support for the future development and utilization of natural gas hydrates.

On December 31, 2012, the project was awarded the second prize of the Ministry Science and Technology Award.