By Mojtaba Moradi, Subsurface Engineering Manager at TAQA

The oil and gas industry’s ability to adapt has been key to its success over the past century. 

Whether having to contend with offshore frontiers or unconventional resources as those who first tread new waters had to, the modern realities of a low-carbon, data-driven world are not overly dissimilar in presenting robust obstacles to overcome. 

Today, as the sector enters a period marked by digital transformation, increasingly complex projects and mounting sustainability pressures, operators worldwide are seeking new ways to deliver value and efficiency.

Reducing operational expenditure, accelerating data-to-decision timelines, and optimising production in more sustainable ways are all imperative factors and achieving these goals requires a technical innovation underpinned by appropriate organisational cultures this evolution to the next stage in the sector’s story. 

As noted by Howard-Grenville, organisational culture has evolved from a narrow profit focus to now incorporate health and safety. The next step of that journey is to embed a deeper cultural transformation that integrates environmental and social responsibility into the heart of business operations.

Given the accelerating pace of energy transition and international climate commitments, the industry must fast-track the integration of sustainability into its operating models — and next-generation technology is central to enabling that shift.

Downhole wireless technology and the digital oilfield

One of the most significant global trends reshaping upstream operations is the move toward the digital oilfield. As advanced digital systems, especially smart completion technologies, are integrated into processes, a pivotal shift toward real-time, data-driven reservoir management is being undertaken. 

Traditional downhole monitoring and control systems, often reliant on wired or fibre-optic solutions, come with inherent limitation and risk of failure can come from high operational costs and lengthy interventions and increased risk of failure. The transition towards wireless-controlled completion devices offers a pathway to greater flexibility, reduced risk, and improved efficiency.
TAQA, for instance has found that in deployment of its PulseEight wireless-controlled downhole completion devices, there have been measurable performance gains, including lower workover costs, faster deployment and enhanced tool reliability. This marks a tangible step toward a more digital and responsive oilfield ecosystem.

Broadening the envelope of FloSure AICD Application

Another global challenge is that of water management remains a considerable production hurdle, particularly in mature or heterogeneous reservoirs. In collaboration with CNOOC, TAQA recently shared findings from a project offshore China that demonstrated the potential of FloSure Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICDs) to mitigate water influx in horizontal wells.

The study showed that in low-viscosity crude oil reservoirs (1.47 cP), FloSure AICDs achieved up to a 310% increase in cumulative oil production compared to analogue wells, while also extending well life twofold. Total cumulative production surpassed expectations, exceeding 63,500 m³, and is continuing to rise.

The case reinforced the technology’s ability to deliver effective water control, enhance reservoir management and extend production longevity, even in what was a challenging light oil environment. It also demonstrated how AICDs can be applied across diverse global basins to optimise field economics and resource recovery.

Reimagining sand management

Sand control is a defining factor in well performance and operational efficiency worldwide. Conventional methods such as gravel packing, stand-alone screens and chemical consolidation have long been the standard, but they often involve high cost, operational complexity and reduced adaptability to changing reservoir conditions.

Recent advances in remedial sand control and innovative downhole filtration mechanisms are challenging the dominance of traditional approaches. One such development, Filtrex Technology, introduces a conformable, erosion-resistant depth filter designed to manage finer grains where metal mesh screens or gravel packs may fail.

With proven installations and positive third-party evaluations, this technology provides a flexible, cost-effective solution that aligns with the industry’s push for lower intervention risk and greater sustainability in field operations.

Embracing a digital future

The path forward for the global oil and gas industry relies on culture and innovation coming together. While new technologies are redefining what is possible, and digital wells and intelligent flow control have the potential to be game-changing, they must be underpinned by organisational structures that embrace sustainability.

In recent industry surveys, three major challenges emerged: a lack of resources, limited visibility of leadership commitment, and scepticism regarding the authenticity of sustainability initiatives. Overcoming these barriers requires a mindset shift that aligns profitability with purpose.

By coupling the right culture with the right technologies, the sector can lead responsibly through this new phase of energy evolution. Whether in the Middle East, Asia or the Americas, the goal remains universal: to build a smarter, more sustainable oil and gas industry for the future.