Petroleum Engineering Capability Required for the Energy Transition

Abstract

In various regions globally, societal pressure to transition away from fossil fuels and reduce carbon or greenhouse gas emissions has intensified. Consequently, there is a prevalent inclination to diminish the focus on petroleum engineering education and technological development. In this article, we elucidate the similarities between petroleum engineering and subsurface engineering as they pertain to the energy transition. First, we list ongoing subsurface research initiatives related to the energy transition, which includes projects focused on CO2 and hydrogen storage, geothermal energy, and metal extraction. We outline the main similarities between these processes and conventional oil and gas extraction. Next, we conduct an analysis of the expertise required for these projects. This analysis will cover the specific skills and knowledge needed to successfully implement and manage these initiatives. We discuss how these requirements are like those needed for traditional oil and gas extraction. In the fields of geophysics and surveillance, a significant shift has already been observed towards supporting the energy transition. However, more traditional disciplines such as petroleum engineering, which encompasses geochemistry, production chemistry, reservoir engineering, and production engineering, have not progressed at the same pace. This lag can be attributed partly to the "fossil" reputation associated with petroleum engineering and partly to the limited number of operational subsurface transition projects that have highlighted the deficiencies in reservoir, production, and geochemical/production chemistry engineering. Another contributing factor to the scarcity of work in this area is the prevailing perception that water injection and production (as in geothermal energy and pressure management) and storage (of CO2, H2, heat, or energy) are relatively straightforward single-phase problems. Hydrocarbon reservoirs, however, offer significant opportunities for rapid storage solutions. Furthermore, experience with gas injection, thermal and water-flood projects has revealed several potential issues that require meticulous attention to mitigate risks associated with the often-marginal energy transition projects. In conclusion, we advocate for an enhancement in education and technological development within the domain of subsurface development engineering. It is imperative to maximize the utilization of hydrocarbon technology, leveraging the existing knowledge and experience to facilitate the energy transition. Contrary to prevailing assumptions within industry and governmental bodies, there exists a critical need for education and technological development to optimize the utilization of subsurface resources in an efficient manner for the energy transition.