Seamless and Scalable Digital Gas Field Framework in Yanbei Unconventional Tight Reservoir

Abstract The Yanbei Digital Gas Field Framework represents a transformative leap forward in the management and operation of unconventional tight gas reservoirs. The primary objective of this initiative is to design and implement a comprehensive, seamless, and scalable digital transformation strategy for the development of gas fields, as exemplified by its full-cycle deployment in Yanbei, China. This manuscript provides a detailed exposition of the guiding philosophy, methodologies, results, and future implications associated with the Yanbei project, serving as both a case study and a replicable roadmap for digital gas field transformation. This paper contributes to the existing body of literature by offering a holistic and scalable roadmap for enhancing operational efficiencies with valuable improvements that can justify the digital transformation investment, especially in unconventional gas field development, showcasing a practical application of cutting-edge technologies in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, the integration of autonomous operations and technical domain expertise underpins a robust framework that can be adapted and replicated across various gas field developments. The implementation of this framework has resulted in significant improvements including a 10% increase in horizontal wells landing success rates, saving over 100 hours during the drilling operation, 4-8% increase in production, a reduction in operational costs, and a saving of 1000 tons of CO2e per year. The results underscore the importance of adopting a comprehensive digital framework to achieve sustainable and efficient gas field operations to optimize resource management and operational safety, demonstrating the transformative potential of digital innovations in the gas industry.