The innovation and practice of shale oil development system engineering management based on dialectical relationships: A case study of Gulong shale oil in Daqing oilfield

Abstract

The development of shale oil is of considerable strategic importance, particularly concerning national security implications. Effective management is vital to maximize both efficiency and socio-economic benefits. This process necessitates addressing four critical relationships: balancing local and global factors, reconciling universality with particularity, integrating inheritance with innovation, and resolving primary and secondary contradictions. These relationships pose several management challenges that must be overcome to develop a robust management model for shale oil extraction. This paper uses the Gulong shale oil in the Daqing oilfield as a case study to examine the implications and specific manifestations of these relationships. To address the limitations of traditional management models, which often overly emphasize local factors, particularity, innovation, and secondary contradictions, we have developed the “Integrated Dialectical Four-Domain Coupling Management Model.” This model incorporates systems engineering theory into management strategies. Key strategies include the global deployment of experimental zone construction, systematic geological and engineering integration, combining historical practices with innovative approaches, phase analysis, and contradiction coordination. These strategies have significantly advanced the development of Gulong shale oil, demonstrating positive on-site results. The innovative management processes detailed in this paper provide valuable insights applicable to similar reservoirs and other large-scale engineering management projects.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

management mode innovation / systematic management / dialectical relationships / shale oil

References

[1] Bashir H, Hamdan S, Ojiako U, Haridy S, Shamsuzzaman M, Al Zarooni H A, (2024). A Weighted fuzzy social network analysis-based approach for modeling and analyzing relationships among risk factors affecting project delays. Engineering Management Journal, 36( 1): 3–13

[2] Cheng H, Han Y, (2012). Engineering management system thinking and engineering whole life cycle management. Journal of Southwest University (Natural Science Edition), 14( 2): 36–40

[3] Cooke-Davies T, (2002). The “real” success factors on projects. International Journal of Project Management, 20( 3): 185–190

[4] CrawleyECameron BSelvaD (2015). System architecture: Strategy and product development for complex systems. Prentice Hall Press

[5] Daboun O, Md Yusof A, Khoso A R, (2023). Relationship management in construction projects: Systematic literature review. Engineering Management Journal, 35( 2): 120–143

[6] DeLaurentisD AMavrisD (2000). Uncertainty modeling and management in multidisciplinary analysis and synthesis. In: 38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 422

[7] Dou X J, Zhang Y S, Guo J, Qian K, (2024). Investigation of the confinement effect on fluid-phase behavior in shale oil reservoirs during CO₂ injection process. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 14( 3): 745–759

[8] Dźwigoł H, Trzeciak M, (2023). Pragmatic methodology in management science. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia, 11( 1): 67–90

[9] ErshaghiIAl-Abbassi A (2012). A Perspective for a national oil company to transition from traditional organizational management to a digital culture. In: SPE Intelligent Energy International Conference and Exhibition, SPE-150219-MS

[10] FitsilisP (2008). Advances in computer and information sciences and engineering. In: Comparing PMBOK and Agile Project Management software development processes: Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 378–383

[11] Hoon C, Baluch A M, (2020). The role of dialectical interrogation in review studies: Theorizing from what we see rather than what we have already seen. Journal of Management Studies, 57( 6): 1246–1271

[12] Jiao F Zh, (2019). Re-recognition of “unconventional” in unconventional oil and gas. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 46( 5): 847–855

[13] Li G X, Lei Zh D, Dong W H, Wang H Y, Zheng X F, Tan J, (2022). Progress, challenges and prospects of unconventional oil and gas development of CNPC. Zhongguo Shiyou Kantan, 27( 1): 1–11 (in Chinese)

[14] Li G X, Wang F, Pi X J, Liu H, (2019). Optimized application of geology-engineering integration data of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. Zhongguo Shiyou Kantan, 24( 2): 147–152 (in Chinese)

[15] Li M H, (2020). Management System and Initial Exploration of Aerospace Complex Mega-Systems Engineering. Journal of Engineering studies, 12( 2): 155–163

[16] Liu H, Jin X, Zhou D K, Yang Q, Li L Q, (2018). Potential application of functional micro-nano structures in petroleum. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 45( 4): 698–704

[17] Ma Q, Zhu Y P, Yu G G, (2014). Exploration and practice of oilfield energy-saving management mode based on systems engineering Theory. Energy Conservation and Measurement in Petroleum & Petrochemical Industry, 44( 010): 41–44

[18] MasciadraE (2017). A Shared Approach to Improve Performance. In: Traditional project management. Knowledge and Project Management. 3–23

[19] Meramveliotakis G, Manioudis M, (2021). History, knowledge, and sustainable economic development: The contribution of john stuart mill’s grand stage theory. Sustainability, 13( 3): 1468

[20] Pei Zh Y, Wang Q, (2022). An engineering philosophical investigation on China’s lunar exploration activities. Journal of Engineering Studies, 14( 2): 142–151

[21] QianX S (1982). On Systems Engineering. Hunan Science and Technology Press

[22] Qian X S, Xu G Zh, Wang Sh Y, (2011). The technological aspects of organizational management—systems engineering. Journal of University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 33( 6): 520–525

[23] Saleh J H, Mark G, Jordan N C, (2009). Flexibility: a multi-disciplinary literature review and a research agenda for designing flexible engineering systems. Journal of Engineering Design, 20( 3): 307–323

[24] SargeantRHatcher CTrigunarsyah B CoffeyV KraatzJ (2010). Creating value in project management using PRINCE2. Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia

[25] SchroederBJackson J A (2007). Why traditional risk management fails in the oil and gas sector: Empirical front-line evidence and effective solutions. AACE International Transactions, RI11-RI16

[26] Stegehuis X, von Raesfeld A, Nieuwenhuis L, (2023). Inter-organizational tensions in servitization: A dialectic process model. Industrial Marketing Management, 109: 204–220

[27] Sun L D, Cui B W, Zhu R K, Wang R, Feng Z H, Li B H, Zhang J Y, Gao B, Wang Q Zh, Zeng H S, Liao Y H, Jiang H, (2023b). Shale oil enrichment evaluation and production law in Gulong Sag, Songliao Basin, NE China. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 50( 3): 505–519

[28] Sun L D, Liu H, He W Y, Li G X, Zhang Sh Ch, Zhu R K, Jin X, Meng S W, Jiang H, (2021). An analysis of major scientific problems and research paths of Gulong shale oil in Daqing Oilfield, NE China. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 48( 3): 527–540

[29] Sun L D, Zhao W Zh, Liu H, Zhu R K, Bai B, Kang Y, Zhang J Y, Wu S T, (2023a). Concept and application of ” sweet spot ” for shale oil. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 44( 1): 1–13

[30] Torres L, Yadav O P, Khan E, (2016). A review on risk assessment techniques for hydraulic fracturing water and produced water management implemented in onshore unconventional oil and gas production. Science of the Total Environment, 539: 478–493

[31] VeraksaNBasseches M (2022). In: Dialectical thinking Piaget and Vygotsky in XXI century: Discourse in early childhood education. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 41–64

[32] Wu Q, Xu Y, Wang X Q, Wang T F, Zhang S L, (2012). Volume fracturing technology of unconventional reservoirs: Connotation, design optimization and implementation. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 39( 3): 377–384

[33] Yu B H, (2013). On several dialectical relationships in oil and gas exploration work. Petroleum Geology and Recovery Efficiency, 20( 6): 6–14

[34] Yuan S Y, Lei Zh D, Li J Sh, Yao Zh W, Li B H, Wang R, Liu Y Sh, Wang Q Zh, (2023). Key theoretical and technical issues and countermeasures for effective development of Gulong shale oil, Daqing Oilfield, NE China. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 50( 3): 638–650

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press