Introduction
Fossil fuels are one of the primary sources of energy in human society. It continues to expand and evolve in order to meet the demands of the modern economy. The field of petroleum engineering encompasses working in the industry with any activities related to the extraction and production of hydrocarbons. These are compounds that are directly involved in the creation of oil and natural gas. The industry and processes are complex, involving significant technical challenges and other considerations. While production volumes and fracking technology are central to petroleum engineering, it is most important that the industry follows a sustainable trend. Because reducing environmental impact and promoting energy efficiency, and utilizing innovative technology are critical.
Environmental Impact
The expansion of the industry requires searching for hydrocarbon deposits in hard-to-access locations. Currently, the deep sea is being actively industrialized with increased oil and natural gas exploration. The difficult conditions and the lack of information about deep-sea ecosystems are creating challenges to drilling and further environmental management. The impact of infrastructure creation such a sediment resuspension and seafloor digging for pipelines are restricted with a 100-meter radius but can cause low-toxicity oil discharge for over 2km. While the marine ecosystem will be affected in the area of exploration activities, it is of great concern that fragile ecosystems further away may be damaged as well without proper access to data and environmental management (Cordes et al. 1).
Recent social trends, international environmental guidelines, and regulations from oversight agencies have led to the implementation of improved management strategies to mitigate impacts during deep-sea drilling. One such mechanism is the blow-out preventer (BOP) which limits the spread of discharge in the deep-sea currents. Drilling requires the use of fluids and chemicals for aspects such as hydrostatic pressure, lubrication, and cooling. As the steel pipe casing is inserted into the well, the sediment and resulting drill cuttings are spread around the site at the seafloor. With the use of BOP, valves controlling the well are in place, which allows drill fragments and fluids to be circulated to the surface and recycled (Cordes et al. 1). Environmental protection and sustainability is a relevant topic in petroleum engineering as the industry attempts to compete with clean energy and mitigate public scrutiny.
Drilling Efficiency
One of the key factors for the production volume of hydrocarbons is drilling efficiency. Therefore, it remains a crucial trend for companies to increase this indicator. This has been a reform of perspective in the industry, which has traditionally measured petroleum products based on well and rig counts. Drilling efficiency is a more accurate measure of productivity, which includes petroleum production rates and volumes (Lieskovsky & Gorgen par. 2). This ties into energy efficiency, as environmental and energy security, have pressured policies and regulations upon the petroleum industry. Similar to drilling efficiency, all refineries and wells differ significantly based on processes and location. Crude density and heavy product yields impact energy intensity use that correlates with greenhouse gas emissions. The primary trend in the industry is to optimize efficiency and lower emissions so that production is economically viable and corresponds with regulation (Han et al. 292).
Digital Computing
Computers are being more commonly utilized for the purposes of design, control, and operation in petroleum refining. Additional aspects include maintenance, data storage, supply chain management, and distributing. The sophisticated engineering processes of petroleum engineering and the extent of the global network requires sophisticated computing mechanisms to address the demands of the industry. Digital technology has the potential to reform the industry, which has experienced a decline in profits in the last years. Computers can help manage operations, improve capacity, and reduce capital expenditure. Furthermore, processing power allows the computation of complex procedures such as 3D seismic projections, refinery modeling, and advanced process controls (Choudhry et al. par. 4).
A significant trend and benefit of digital computing for the petroleum industry is the use of data. Advances in big data processes and artificial intelligence allow improving all sectors of the industry significantly. Advanced analytics and the “Internet of Things” can aid professionals in making the most optimal decision, ranging from engineering and project design to marketing and supply economics. Furthermore, computing is enabling progress in fields such as robotics and automation, which are invaluable to the petroleum industry when working in adverse environments. The three primary trends for digital computing in petroleum engineering include future operations through predictive maintenance and transformative functions. Reservoir limits are a significant digital application that requires seismic imaging technology. Finally, digitally-enabled marketing is vital by helping track and manage consumer habits (Choudhry et al. par. 7-9).
Conclusion
Overall, these trends in petroleum engineering indicate that the manufacturing process is being optimized and held to efficiency standards in all its aspects through the use of modern technology. This is beneficial from both an economic and technical perspective as the demands and interests of the industry are addressed. Furthermore, it is necessary for environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility as oil companies seek to maintain their value to society. These trends should be considered as it is possible that petroleum production becomes a mostly automated process going forward, using a combination of traditional and environmentally sustainable technologies.
Works Cited
Choudhry, Harsh, et al. “The Next Frontier for Digital Technologies in Oil and Gas.”McKinsey & Company. 2016, Web.
Cordes, Erik E., et al. “Environmental Impacts of the Deep-Water Oil and Gas Industry: A Review to Guide Management Strategies.” Frontiers in Environmental Science, vol. 4, 2016, pp. 1-26. Web.
Han, Jeong-woo, et al. “A Comparative Assessment of Resource Efficiency in Petroleum Refining.” Fuel, vol. 157, no. 1, 2016, pp. 292-298. Web.
Lieskovsky, Jozef, and Sam Gorgen. “Drilling Efficiency Is a Key Driver of Oil and Natural Gas Production.”U.S. Energy Information Administration. 2013, Web.