The 2021 International Workshop on Underground Oil/Gas Storage (IWUOGS) was successfully held

On November 5-7, 2021, a CSRME Top-level Forum "The 2021 International Workshop on Underground Oil/Gas Storage (IWUOGS 2021)" co-sponsored by the CSRME and Northeastern University was successfully held. Professor Feng Xiating, President of the CSRME and President of Northeastern University, and Mr. Derek Elsworth, Professor of Pennsylvania State University and Academician of the National Academy of Engineering (USA), jointly presided over the forum. Professor-level senior engineer Wu Aiqing, Vice-president of the CSRME, delivered a speech at the closing ceremony.

The workshop was jointly organized by Northeastern University, China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Corporation, Liaohe Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation, Institute of Deep Engineering and Intelligent Technology (Northeastern University), School of Resources and Civil Engineering (Northeastern University), ISRM Commission on Design Methodology and CSRME Rock Engineering Design Methodology Sub-society, and was co-organized by Sinopec Shanghai Engineering Co., Ltd., China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Northeast Petroleum University. More than 200 representatives from over 40 well-known enterprises and research institutions all over the world, including China, the United States, France, Singapore, Canada and Sweden.

There was a total of 27 reports on 9 topics including "Basic Principles of Underground Oil and Gas Storage", "New Methods of Underground Oil and Gas Storage", "Monitoring and Control of Underground Oil and Gas Storage Stability", and "Evaluation and Control of Water Sealability of Underground Oil and Gas Storage". At the beginning of the workshop, Professor Derek Elsworth, Academician of the National Academy of Engineering (USA), gave a keynote report titled "Scaling of fluid injection triggered seismicity and fault reactivation in subsurface storage and disposal", which combined with engineering cases to deeply analyze the problems of underground storage engineering induced seismicity and fault reactivation; Mr. Li Xiaoguang, Chief Expert of Liaohe Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation, made a keynote report titled "Research on Key Techniques for Storage by using Depleted Oil and Gas Reservoirs" to introduce in detail the development prospects and key technologies obtained in the construction of Liaohe Oilfield Gas Storage Groups; professor-level senior engineer Zheng Dewen, Chief Expert of SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, delivered a keynote report titled "Development Prospects and Challenges of Oil and Gas Storage in China" to thoroughly analyze the development prospects of underground oil and gas storage in China; Dr. Philippe Vaskou, Independent Expert of CY Cergy Paris University, gave a report titled "Rock mass desaturation and mega wedge collapse in underground storage caverns: two major and fatal issues" to discuss two technical problems about underground storage caverns. In addition, Professor Fu Xiaofei, President of Heilongjiang Institute of Technology, Professor-level senior engineer Xu Jie, Deputy Chief Engineer of China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Corporation, Professor Xia Caichu from Tongji University, Professor Mei Guoxiong from Guangxi University, Professor Wang Zhechao from Northeastern University, made wonderful keynote reports based on the theme of the workshop. Professor-level senior engineer Wang Jianjun from CNPC Tubular Goods Research Institute, senior engineer Sun Junchang from SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Dr. Bin Xu, CEO of Origin Geomechanics Inc., Professor Jia Shanpo from Northeast Petroleum University, Dr. Jianping Sun from Singapore Branch of China Communications Construction Company, Professor Zhang Bin from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Associate Professor Qiao Liping from Northeastern University, and Dr. Liangchao Zou from Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden gave wonderful reports on related topics of the workshop. All these reports aroused great interest of the attendants, and they discussed with the reporters on the theoretical and technical issues related to underground oil and gas storage. Focusing on the topics of "Water-sealing for underground storage", "Technology for Underground Gas Storage Caverns", "Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation", Professor Zhang Bin, Professor Jia Shanpo and Proprieter Guan Zhongyuan respectively led the discussion, which further enhanced the scope and depth of communication and discussion.

At the closing ceremony, Dr. Philippe Vaskou delivered a speech on behalf of the Academic Committee; Zhang Wenwei, deputy general manager and chief engineer of Design Branch of China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Corporation, delivered a speech on behalf of the next organizer, and invited experts from all walks of life to meet in Langfang, Hebei in 2023 for continuing to promote new development in underground oil and gas storage; Professor-level senior engineer Wu Aiqing, Vice-president of the CSRME, delivered a speech on behalf of the organizer. He pointed out that the "2021 IWUOGS" made all participants better understand the opportunities and challenges faced by the underground oil and gas storage industry, and the results achieved will lay a solid foundation for breakthroughs in new theories and new technologies for underground oil and gas storage in China.