Leveraging artificial intelligence for water optimisation in upstream oil and gas energy operations

IF 1.827 Q2 Earth and Planetary Sciences

Arabian Journal of Geosciences Pub Date : 2025-07-09 DOI:10.1007/s12517-025-12289-z

John Castagnoli, Mohamed Amish

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Water scarcity and climate change are significant challenges for sustainable water management worldwide. Factors such as population growth, industrial development, and unsustainable practices are increasing water demand. The upstream oil and gas energy industry faces water management challenges, including sourcing, treating, transporting, and disposing of water while meeting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements. This study introduces the Water Usage Efficiency Index (WUEI) using artificial intelligence in Python, a novel quantitative framework aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The WUEI assesses water management in upstream energy operations by analysing water intensity, source sustainability, and temporal variability. Data from the Alberta Energy Regulator and oil sands operators are used to evaluate operational efficiency and water recycling rates from 2013 to 2022. WUEI scores range from 0.624 to 2.130, highlighting areas for improvement and guiding water management strategies. This standardised approach supports ESG objectives and promotes industry best practices. The research offers a practical, AI-enhanced method for evaluating water efficiency in the oil and gas sector, contributing to sustainable water management and ESG goals. Collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers is essential for the widespread adoption of the WUEI framework.

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利用人工智能优化上游油气能源作业用水

水资源短缺和气候变化是全球可持续水资源管理面临的重大挑战。人口增长、工业发展和不可持续的做法等因素正在增加对水的需求。上游油气能源行业面临着水资源管理方面的挑战，包括水资源的采购、处理、运输和处置，同时还要满足环境、社会和治理（ESG）的要求。本研究介绍了在Python中使用人工智能的水使用效率指数（WUEI），这是一个与联合国可持续发展目标一致的新型定量框架。WUEI通过分析水强度、水源可持续性和时间变化来评估上游能源业务的水管理。来自Alberta能源监管机构和油砂运营商的数据用于评估2013年至2022年的作业效率和水循环利用率。WUEI得分在0.624 - 2.130之间，突出了需要改进的领域，并指导了水资源管理战略。这种标准化的方法支持ESG目标，并促进行业最佳实践。该研究为评估油气行业的用水效率提供了一种实用的人工智能增强方法，有助于实现可持续的水资源管理和ESG目标。学术界、产业界和政策制定者之间的合作对于广泛采用WUEI框架至关重要。

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来源期刊

Arabian Journal of Geosciences GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

自引率

0.00%

发文量

1587

审稿时长

6.7 months

期刊介绍： The Arabian Journal of Geosciences is the official journal of the Saudi Society for Geosciences and publishes peer-reviewed original and review articles on the entire range of Earth Science themes, focused on, but not limited to, those that have regional significance to the Middle East and the Euro-Mediterranean Zone. Key topics therefore include; geology, hydrogeology, earth system science, petroleum sciences, geophysics, seismology and crustal structures, tectonics, sedimentology, palaeontology, metamorphic and igneous petrology, natural hazards, environmental sciences and sustainable development, geoarchaeology, geomorphology, paleo-environment studies, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, GIS and remote sensing, geodesy, mineralogy, volcanology, geochemistry and metallogenesis.