Poland’s PGNiG has launched the Smart Field project, which uses advanced digital technology to support oil and gas exploration and production operations. As one of its expected outcomes, the project will increase domestic recoverable natural gas reserves by more than seven billion cubic metres (bcm).
“The Smart Field project demonstrates that PGNiG is keeping up with the latest trends for using digital tools in hydrocarbon exploration and production operations,” said Paweł Majewski, President of the PGNiG Management Board. “Our specialists have extensive experience and expertise, which, however, come up against natural constraints of the human mind. With artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud solutions, we will be able to speed up analytical processes and increase the amount and detail of data processed. This will help us improve the operational and financial efficiency of PGNiG’s exploration and production activities.”
Using IT technology to analyse various drilling and development options will help increase recovery factor r of PGNiG’s oil and gas reserves. The Company’s experts estimate that domestic recoverable gas reserves will increase by 7.3 bcm as a result of the implementation of the Smart Field project in 2021 and 2022. Based on the results of previous digital projects, the application of IT technologies to support PGNiG’s exploration and production activities will increase domestic recoverable natural gas reserves by over 11 bcm in 2019–2022 and provide an opportunity to tap into these resources.
Therefore, Smart Field is a guarantee that domestic production can be maintained at stable levels. What is more, it will help to extend the field life by an average of ten years, contributing to the preservation of local jobs, increased revenues from taxes and production fees for local governments and an additional secure source of domestic gas supplies.
“Natural gas may play a key role in the rapid decarbonisation of our economy,” Mr Majewski added. “We want the fuel we supply to have the lowest possible carbon footprint along the entire value chain. Therefore, efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the upstream segment are at the top of our list of priorities.”
