On November 17, 2025, encouraging news came from the Science and Technology Innovation Conference of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: two scientific and technological achievements led by Professor Zhao Hui’s team at Yangtze University received the First Prize of the 2024 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Technology Invention Awardand theSecond Prize of the Natural Science Award, respectively.
The awards reflect Yangtze University’s solid contributions and strong research capabilities in supporting the development of Xinjiang and western China and promoting the high-quality development of the regional oil and gas industry.
The project“Quantitative Characterization and Intelligent Regulation Technology for Dynamic Interwell Connectivity Fields in Oil and Gas Reservoir Development”received the First Prize of the Technology Invention Award, while“Multiscale Seepage Theory and Methods for Shale Oil and Gas”received the Second Prize of the Natural Science Award.
The project“Quantitative Characterization and Intelligent Regulation Technology for Dynamic Interwell Connectivity Fields in Oil and Gas Reservoir Development”innovatively applies the generalized connectivity unit method to establish a comprehensive system of quantitative indicators and dynamic prediction models for reservoir connectivity. The technology has successfully addressed major industrial challenges, including the design of balanced displacement schemes for large-scale oil and gas reservoirs and the precise optimization of profile control and plugging measures. Following its large-scale application in Xinjiang Oilfield, the technology has effectively increased the production and recovery rate of previously difficult-to-produce oil and gas resources, providing strong technological support for the development of “Top Ten Industrial Clusters”.
The project“Multiscale Seepage Theory and Methods for Shale Oil and Gas”addresses the globally challenging issue of the efficient development of continental shale oil. The research team has developed innovative methods for characterizing multiphase fluid transport in shale nanopores, advanced seepage theories at the micro- and nanoscale, established coupled multiscale mass-transfer simulation technologies, and developed precise algorithms for simulating hydraulic fracture propagation. These advances enable more accurate predictions of production capacity for hydraulically fractured horizontal shale oil wells. The theoretical breakthroughs have successfully supported the achievement of an annual production capacity exceeding one million tonnes at China’s national demonstration zone for continental shale oil development in Xinjiang, demonstrating the effective integration of fundamental research and industrial application.
In recent years, Professor Zhao Hui’s team has made a series of breakthroughs in fundamental theories, key technologies, and industrial-grade software and hardware for intelligent oil and gas reservoir development. Relevant technologies developed by the team have been incorporated into OSIM, CNOOC’s first numerical reservoir simulation software for offshore oilfields, contributing significantly to the localization and independent development of software in this field and supporting the digital transformation and efficient development of oilfields. Looking ahead, Professor Zhao Hui’s team will continue to address national energy strategic needs and explore the frontiers of science and technology. The team will focus on key areas such as green and intelligent oil and gas field development, CO₂ enhanced oil recovery and storage, and other critical technologies. These efforts will continue to support the development of Yangtze University’s first-class discipline in Oil and Gas Engineering, contribute to safeguarding China’s energy security and regional socioeconomic development, and provide strong scientific and technological as well as talent support for the achievement of China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
