Objective In the context of the “dual-carbon” goals, the high energy consumption and emissions associated with traditional oil and gas supply models require urgent attention. A systematic review of research on the substitution of traditional energy by green energy in oil and gas fields is lacking. This study aims to clarify green energy applications in these fields and develop energy supply solutions that align precisely with their production needs.
Methods A combination of literature review, case analysis, and technical suitability assessment was employed. Research findings on green energy applications in oil and gas fields at home and abroad were systematically retrieved. Based on industry reports and real-world cases, the application status and limitations of solar, geothermal, waste heat, wind, and wave energy in oil and gas fields were analyzed.
Results The application of the listed green energy sources in oil and gas fields was found to be feasible, with most technologies having been implemented. However, potential for further optimization and upgrading was identified. Photovoltaic technology was considered mature, though limited in some scenarios by geographical factors and system integration costs. Geothermal energy utilization, using produced water from oil fields and abandoned wells, was shown to significantly reduce carbon emissions through water-source heat pump heating and medium- to low-temperature power generation. Waste heat recovery was primarily achieved through heat pump technology, which was highly adaptable but followed a single technical route. Wind energy was mainly used for power generation, with some experimental research on wind-powered heating, though the technical route remained relatively single. Wave energy was found to have significant potential in offshore oil and gas fields but remained in the early experimental stage. Few experiments and cases regarding hydrogen and biomass energy were reported, though both were considered to have application potential.
Conclusion Photovoltaic power generation, geothermal water-source heat pump technology, and waste heat recovery are identified as the most mature solutions and should serve as primary directions for green energy supply. Additionally, green energy application strategies should be selected based on the environmental resources, production capacity, and product characteristics of oil and gas fields in different regions. The research clarifies the priorities for green energy substitution in oil and gas enterprises and highlights key areas for technological breakthroughs for R&D departments. Future research should focus on long-term on-site tracking, the development of a full life-cycle database, and precise evaluation of technical and environmental benefits. Efforts should also be directed toward developing multi-energy complementary systems, efficient utilization of abandoned resources, optimizing energy matching, and achieving cost reduction and efficiency improvement.