Drill, complete, and ready to produce deep tight-gas wells in Yanbei, China

The asset, located in the Shaanbei region of China, is an unconventional tight-gas field development.

By integrating all phases of well delivery, the project overcame the complex topographies of the softly soiled Loess Plateau and operational challenges. The integrated well delivery model enabled efficient, high-quality well placement, rapid early production, maximizing economic returns, and minimizing costs and risks.

Drilling non-productive time (NPT) reduced by 40% and drilling cost by 30%
Advanced digital solutions and operational excellence set a new benchmark for drilling efficiency and cost savings.

Drill-to-production time reduced by 70% with a 15% cost reduction
Innovative workflows and modular facility design enabled rapid well delivery and early production, maximizing asset value from day one.

522 wells drilled, 403 wells in production
Demonstrating the project’s scale and success, Yanbei stands as one of China’s most prolific tight-gas developments.

Ten billion cubic meters: setting the tight-gas benchmark
The asset has rapidly emerged as a flagship development in China’s tight gas sector. By 2025, cumulative production had reached 10 billion cubic meters, highlighting both its strong operational performance and its substantial contribution to national energy security.

Efficiently develop a tight gas field using an integrated approach to minimize development costs, accelerate early production, and maximize economic returns for the operator.

Integrated well delivery model with comprehensive full-cycle management

The project adopted a full-spectrum approach, managing every phase—from field development planning (FDP) to well delivery. This holistic strategy ensured seamless integration across all project stages, driving both speed and quality.

1. Early well pad acquisition and construction
   Well pads were secured and constructed immediately after FDP approval, eliminating rig waiting times and enabling continuous drilling operations.
2. Parallel surface-facility development
   Surface facilities were built in tandem with drilling, fracking, and testing, ensuring that wells could be brought online as soon as they were completed.

Operational excellence and efficiency

1. Drilling performance
   The implementation of advanced drilling advisory systems, including DrillOps™ advisory, accelerated the rate of penetration and improved well delivery. Over five years, the project team achieved a 40% reduction in drilling NPT and a 30% reduction in drilling time and cost. Wells were delivered faster, cleaner, and safer, setting new industry standards for efficiency.
2. Fracturing and temporary production facilities innovations
   Fit-for-purpose fracking technologies reduced pumping time by 50%, while the integration of modular facility design and temporary on-site production facilities enabled a 70% reduction in drill-to-production time, and a 15% reduction in associated costs. This approach brought wells online rapidly, delivering early production and cash flow before permanent infrastructure was completed.
3. Digital gas-field solutions
   The transition from manual or remote control to edge computing and automation minimized site visits, reduced human error, and lowered HSE risks. Automation and AI-driven operations ensured production continuity and minimized losses from operational delays.

Technical excellence and quality assurance

1. Horizontal well technology
   To unlock reserves beneath sensitive areas, horizontal well technology was deployed, with lateral lengths reaching up to 1,500 meters—the longest in the region. This enabled maximum reservoir coverage and minimized surface impact.
2. Seismic data reprocessing
   Advanced seismic inversion and waveform analysis improved the predictability of sand bodies, reducing geological and well placement risks. The asset achieved a leading position in well placement success, with a sand net-to-gross ratio exceeding 85% in horizontal sections—far surpassing neighboring blocks.
3. Optimized well design
   Well profiles and completions were engineered for extended life and integrity, with slimmer production strings facilitating efficient water unloading during production.

Maximizing production from day one

1. Early production initiatives
   Temporary production facilities on well pads enabled immediate output, maximizing production from the first day. Production operation management systems continuously analyzed well performance to optimize output and minimize losses.
2. Advanced production technologies
   A suite of technologies—including downhole chokes, foam lift, velocity strings, plunger lift, wellhead compressors, gas lift, and targeted well interventions—were deployed to enhance early water unloading and maintain high production rates.
3. Reservoir and production surveillance
   Real-time data acquisition and quality control enabled proactive monitoring, diagnosis, and management of production, ensuring sustained performance and rapid response to operational challenges.

Cost management and profitability

1. Purpose-built technologies
   Strategic selection and management of contractors and technologies drove down overall project costs and improved profitability.
2. Digital automation
   The adoption of digital gas-field solutions and edge AI further reduced operational expenses by minimizing manual interventions and optimizing resource allocation.