This undated photo captures Sinopec employees checking natural gas equipment in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. (HU QINGMING / FOR CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING - Sinopec, China's largest oil refiner, has discovered a new shale gas field, with a proven reserve of nearly 146 billion cubic meters, in the Sichuan basin in southwest China.

The new shale gas field is located in Chongqing's Qijiang district and Xishui county of southwest China's Guizhou province, according to Ma Yongsheng, chairman of Sinopec.

The new shale gas field is located in Chongqing's Qijiang district and Xishui county of southwest China's Guizhou province

The latest discovery indicated a great prospect of deep shale gas for exploration and development, and is expected to further contribute to China's energy security, said Ma.

However, given the great depth and complex crustal stress, it is difficult to explore and develop the shale in the area, Ma said.

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Shale gas is mainly methane and is considered a clean new energy resource.