Unconventional Resource Technology
Aramco showcases digital transformation at URTeC 2023
Our people share how we optimize unconventional resources.
Aramco researchers highlighted digital transformation by showcasing advanced applications at the marquee U.S. conference on unconventional resources. The well-attended Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC) June 13-15, in Denver, which returned to Colorado for the first time since the pandemic.
Aramco served as a top tier sponsor, exhibitor, and contributor as R&D geoscientists and engineers shared how Aramco optimizes unconventional resources.
SAGE, iFDP, and more
Chao Liu, a petroleum engineer at the Houston Research Center, gave presentations in the exhibit booth about the software called SAGE, an acronym for Saudi Aramco Geomechanics Expert.
“Our unique geomechanics and chemistry models in SAGE can address the time-delayed wellbore failures encountered while drilling shale formations,” said Liu. “These unique and integrated features in SAGE help increase efficiencies and effectiveness, thereby reducing costs in unconventional resource operations.”
Meanwhile, Uchenna O. Odi, petroleum engineering specialist at the Houston Research Center, showcased the Intelligent Field Development Plan (iFDP) software. It was created for field planning for the massive Jafurah field, the largest liquid-rich shale gas play in the Middle East.
“The specific purpose of the tool is to utilize digital transformation concepts such as machine learning, statistics, data mining, and optimization to optimally place well pads as a function of field data and user inputted field demand through time,” said Odi. “The Automatic Decline Curve Analysis tool was also integrated into iFDP to automate the determination of type curves and estimate ultimate recoveries from uploaded production data.”
Showcasing technologies and learning what’s new
URTeC empowers professionals to exchange information, formulate strategic ideas, and solve problems about all aspects of the exploration and production life cycle.
“As we develop assets in-Kingdom, we not only showcase our technologies, but we attend to understand what is being done in U.S. plays, we can learn from the experience of American operators and see what new technologies are available,” said Shannon Eichmann, a petroleum engineering specialist at the Houston Research Center.
Aramco researchers also presented three technical papers:
- “U.S. Tight Oil Efficiency: A Permian Basin Case Study”
- “Use of Machine Learning to Predict of Maximum Borehole Diameter for Multistage Frac Completions”
- “Compaction in Unconventional Carbonate Reservoir Rocks and Its Effect on Well Completions and Hydraulic Fracturing.”
The annual conference is a collaborative effort between the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG).
The world’s geologists, geophysicists, and reservoir engineers can continue their thought leadership later this year with URTeC Latin America in Buenos Aires, where Aramco will also serve as the top sponsor.
Caption for the top photo: The future looks bright for young minds as the next generation learns from presenters.