An industrial test of polymer flooding for conglomerate reservoir was started up at Kexia Formation of Block Qidong-1 in Karamay Oilfield in 2005. It is the first of its kind in China. By the end of 2008, 56% of the designed volume was injected, resulting in significant improvement of production — daily crude output was increased by three times to 112 tons with water cut 15.8% lower in the test area, and those for the central well groups were 5.2 times and 30.1% respectively. The ultimate oil recovery is expected to be enhanced by 11.3%.

Currently, researches on oil recovery technology and surface engineering optimization are being performed in Karamay Oilfield. The industrial test of polymer flooding is planned to be popularized and applied to 13 blocks in the next four or five years, covering geological reserves of 120 million tons. By then, annual production by polymer flooding in the 13 blocks will reach one million tons, and maintain at this level for ten consecutive years.