Application and development trend of artificial intelligence in petroleum exploration and development

TLDR

The paper reviews AI research progress and applications in petroleum exploration and development, aiming to address industry demands and outline future directions. The study surveys AI techniques—including data mining, machine learning, computer vision, deep learning, and optimization—used in drilling, completion, surface facilities, logging, seismic processing, and reservoir engineering. AI has enabled lithology identification, logging reconstruction, reservoir parameter estimation, seismic first‑break picking, fault detection, real‑time water‑flood optimization, production forecasting, and the development of digital basins, intelligent imaging tools, seismic acquisition systems, rotary‑steering drilling, fracturing technology, and zonal injection monitoring.

Abstract

Aiming at the actual demands of petroleum exploration and development, this paper describes the research progress and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in petroleum exploration and development, and discusses the applications and development directions of AI in the future. Machine learning has been preliminarily applied in lithology identification, logging curve reconstruction, reservoir parameter estimation, and other logging processing and interpretation, exhibiting great potential. Computer vision is effective in picking of seismic first breaks, fault identification, and other seismic processing and interpretation. Deep learning and optimization technology have been applied to reservoir engineering, and realized the real-time optimization of waterflooding development and prediction of oil and gas production. The application of data mining in drilling, completion, and surface facility engineering etc. has resulted in intelligent equipment and integrated software. The potential development directions of artificial intelligence in petroleum exploration and development are intelligent production equipment, automatic processing and interpretation, and professional software platform. The highlights of development will be digital basins, fast intelligent imaging logging tools, intelligent seismic nodal acquisition systems, intelligent rotary-steering drilling, intelligent fracturing technology and equipment, real-time monitoring and control of zonal injection and production.