Artificial intelligence applications and challenges in oil and gas exploration and development

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into oil and gas exploration and development offers transformative opportunities within the context of the global energy transition. This article highlights the key advancements and challenges in artificial intelligence applications. Machine learning algorithms enable data-driven shale sweet spot prediction, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods by capturing complex controlling factors. Intelligent core image analysis, leveraging computer vision and foundation models, enables automatic mineral identification, pore analysis, and rock structure characterization, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for microscopic reservoir appraisal. Physics-informed neural networks address the limitations of purely data-driven reservoir simulation by embedding governing seepage equations into their loss functions, thereby ensuring physical consistency and improved generalization. Multimodal architectures significantly enhance unconventional shale gas production prediction by integrating geological heterogeneity with dynamic production behavior, leading to more accurate and stable forecasts. Collectively, these AI-driven approaches underscore the importance of combining domain expertise, multi-source data, and physics-aware modeling to achieve efficient and intelligent oil and gas development. Document Type: Perspective Cited as: Hui G., Ren Y., Bi J., Wang M., Liu C. Artificial intelligence applications and challenges in oil and gas exploration and development. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2025, 17(3): 179-183. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2025.09.01