From November 16th to 18th, the "2022 International Field Exploration and Development Conference (IFEDC)" was successfully held, co-hosted by Xi'an Shiyou University, China National Petroleum Corporation's Xinjiang Oilfield Branch (Xinjiang Reservoir Laboratory), and the Shaanxi Petroleum Society. The conference featured dual venues in Xi'an and Xinjiang oilfields and was primarily conducted online, with some offline elements. The theme of the conference was "Integrating Geology and Engineering to Enhance the Exploration and Development Efficiency of Complex Oil and Gas Reservoirs." The discussions revolved around key technologies such as reservoir monitoring, smart oil fields, unconventional oil and gas extraction, and enhanced recovery methods. The aim was to address and overcome technical challenges in oil and gas field exploration and development in China, foster original innovation, and ensure the country's energy security.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Yang Liqiang, Vice Chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Association for Science and Technology and Executive Director and Party Secretary of the China Petroleum Xinjiang Oilfield Branch, delivered a welcome speech. Li Tian Tai, the President of Xi'an Petroleum University, spoke on behalf of the conference organizers and the initiators. The opening ceremony was presided over by Li Hua, Vice President of Xi'an Petroleum University.

In his speech, Li Tian Tai briefly introduced Xi'an Petroleum University and the basic information about the "International Field Exploration and Development Conference ." He expressed his hope that this conference would serve as an opportunity to enhance exchanges among experts and scholars from both domestic and international backgrounds. He emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, using technological innovation as a guide. Through academic exchanges, technical discussions, and showcasing achievements, the aim was to promote technological innovation in the field of oil and gas and boost the industry's vitality. Li Tian Tai noted the significant growth of the IFEDC conference from its inception to its present form and its contribution to the development of the oil and gas field industry. He believed that the academic outcomes discussed at the conference would play a positive role in advancing technological innovation and development in oil and gas field exploration and development.

The keynote session of the conference was chaired by Li Yalin, Deputy General Manager and Professor-Level Senior Engineer of the Tarim Oilfield Branch of China National Petroleum Corporation. Keynote speeches were given by academician Li Gensheng on "Progress and Prospects of Oil and Gas Geology and Engineering Intelligence," academician Xiao Wenjiao on "The Evolution and Dynamics of Central Asian Orogeny and Resource Effects," academician Zhang Dongxiao on "Smart Oil Fields," and Professor Syed M Farouq Ali on "Technology Development in Horizontal Well Multi-Stage Fracturing."

Academician Li Gensheng emphasized in his report the use of geological and engineering big data as a core, combining oil and gas smart equipment, artificial intelligence algorithms, and domain expert knowledge to achieve intelligence throughout the entire life cycle of oil and gas exploration and development, through data governance and iterative circulation, oil and gas artificial intelligence scenarios, and digital twin visualization platforms.

Academician Xiao Wenjiao pointed out in his report that the study of the evolution and dynamics of the Central Asian orogenic belt is a forefront scientific issue widely studied in the international academic community. The unique geological dynamics and the evolution of large basins in the Central Asian region have led to extensive structural deformation, intense magmatic activity, and the highly concentrated formation of ore and hydrocarbon resources. This has a significant bearing on the formation of metal and hydrocarbon resources in northern Xinjiang and neighboring regions of Central Asia.

Academician Zhang Dongxiao presented a solution for a multi-scale smart oil field from core to reservoir, proposing deep learning solutions for specific problems. He also mentioned the successful implementation of intelligent fracturing parameter optimization in oil fields.

Professor Syed M Farouq Ali pointed out in his report that the development of multi-stage fracturing in horizontal wells raises critical questions about optimal well spacing, horizontal wellbore placement, opening area between wellbores, and the ideal timing for fracturing. He highlighted that reservoir fracturing, especially multi-stage fracturing, is a mature technology used worldwide.

The theme forum of the conference was hosted by Professor Zhou Desheng, Dean of the School of Petroleum Engineering at the university. Discussions revolved around the theme "Driving Technological Innovation, Guided by Green and Low Carbon——Advancing Energy Transition" and involved experts like Shi Yujiang, Deputy General Manager of China Petroleum Logging Co., Ltd., Fan Yuxin, Chief Technical Expert of China Petroleum Xinjiang Oilfield Branch, Liu Xianyang, Chief Technical Expert of China Petroleum Changqing Oilfield Branch, Huang Jianjun, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Geological Survey Institute, and Luo Donghong, Chief Development Engineer of CNOOC Shenzhen Branch.

It is worth noting that this conference attracted experts, scholars, and researchers from 16 countries, including the United States, Russia, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia. A total of 2392 papers were submitted for the conference, with 1837 papers included in the conference proceedings. These papers comprehensively covered the latest developments in technology related to geophysical well logging, oil and gas field exploration, evaluation of hydrocarbon basins, reservoir theory, and numerical simulation technology for complex oil and gas reservoirs, drilling and completion technology, and oil and gas production engineering. The conference successfully showcased the research on new technologies, methods, processes, and products in the field of oil and gas exploration. It delved into the critical technological challenges of oil and gas exploration and development, facilitated the effective sharing of cutting-edge resources and information in the oil and gas field industry, and held significant importance for advancing technological innovation in the oil and gas sector and enhancing the industry's vitality.