Chapter 58: Let Me Do It
Pan Qingfeng might always claim he didn't understand technology, saying things like, "That's your business," but as a hands-on plant director who had worked his way up, how could he truly be ignorant?
Moreover, having participated in countless technical conferences and academic presentations, his insight and vision were much sharper than others'.
From just a few of Liu Shang's sentences, Pan Qingfeng could conclude that his level of expertise in petroleum technology was completely at odds with his age and status.
If someone had told him that Liu Shang was a doctoral student from the University of Oil, Pan Qingfeng wouldn't have had the slightest doubt.
It was only at this moment that Pan Qingfeng truly understood the high praise and recognition that the head of geology, Zhang Zhengmao, had given Liu Shang the day before.
Just as Pan Qingfeng was reeling from his thoughts, Liu Shang continued:
"As for using this well as a breakthrough point for research, the starting point is also very simple."
"First, build a three-dimensional database of the oil and water wells in the entire region. This should include basic regional geological conditions and the horizontal correspondence between injection wells and the region's production wells, ideally refined down to the level of specific sub-layers within the oil formation."
"Once this data is compiled, combine it with the historical well conditions, production data, and dynamic correlation responses from over the years. This will give you the overall framework."
"Next, when we use this framework to analyze the effect of the profile adjustment, it will yield immediate results."
Zhang Zhengmao and Pan Qingfeng nodded repeatedly at Liu Shang's words, but the dozen or so people in the room looked like they wanted to swallow him whole. Their eyes were spitting fire.
Based on the current state of the oilfield's data archives, it was simply impossible to meet Liu Shang's request.
If they really prepared the data according to his specifications, the dozen or so of them would be buried in this work for the entire month.
And it was an incredibly difficult, exhausting, and thankless task.
Just as they feared, Zhang Zhengmao, the head of geology, kept nodding along. "Well said, Liu Shang. Your suggestion and starting point are very constructive!"
"In fact, I've long thought that our oilfield should have implemented this level of data storage and improvement."
"Once you have such a thorough understanding of the geological situation and the dynamic between oil and water wells, it will pay dividends for all future work and measures."
"Now, it's time for lunch. Let's go eat first. After the meal, we're short on time, so no rest today. We will come back and start working immediately, just as Liu Shang said!"
Afterward, Liu Shang was led by Pan Qingfeng and Zhang Zhengmao to the leadership dining area, while the others, not surprisingly, were inwardly fuming, blaming Liu Shang, the instigator who had just made their lives difficult.
After lunch, Pan Qingfeng went back to his massive office for a nap. Liu Shang followed Zhang Zhengmao and the others back to the meeting room, only to watch the dozen or so geological and engineering technicians begin their work at a snail's pace.
Today's oil fields had long since lost the hardworking spirit of the "Iron Man" era; even the pragmatic, enterprising spirit of Mr. Zhong's generation was a distant memory.
In the current social atmosphere, more people were chasing fame and fortune, and overstaffing was common.
Especially in a state-owned enterprise with its "iron rice bowls" and entrenched interpersonal networks, did you want to get promoted? Connections and background were far more important than technical skill. And with every position filled, promotions only came when a spot was vacated, a time-consuming process.
Consequently, when Pan Qingfeng returned from his nap more than an hour later, everyone in the conference room was only just slowly getting ready to work.
The efficiency was so abysmal that Liu Shang was on the verge of collapsing from frustration.
And given the situation, he couldn't just leave.
Finally, after another hour of making idle small talk with Pan Qingfeng, Liu Shang couldn't stand it any longer. He walked straight over to the group and sighed helplessly.
"Oh, let me do it."
Hearing Liu Shang's words, everyone, including Zhang Zhengmao, was stunned for a moment, then raised their heads to look at him in surprise.
Seeing their reaction, Liu Shang had no choice but to repeat himself. "This initial technical summary work can be difficult. Let me handle it."
At this, Pan Qingfeng, who had been bored to the point of drowsiness at the far end of the room, suddenly sat up, a spark of interest and curiosity flashing in his eyes again.
Zhang Zhengmao, the chief geologist, frowned slightly but said nothing.
But the geology and engineering technicians below could no longer hold back their anger and voiced it bluntly.
"Heh, Liu Shang, if I remember correctly, you're still a freshman at the University of Oil, right?"
"It's only been a few months since you started school. You probably haven't even taken any petroleum-related professional courses yet. Can you even understand these charts and curves?"
"That's right. I bet you don't even know the most basic structure of oil and water well strings. You should stop making a scene."
"Liu Shang, you may not know, but I also graduated from the University of Oil, so I guess I'm your senior."
"I've been working at this oil production plant for seven or eight years since I graduated."
"Even now, I wouldn't dare say I understand all the technical work in the oil field, so I suggest you show a little humility."
"It's understandable for young people to be full of vigor and energy, but as the old saying goes, modesty is the key to progress!"
Seeing that Liu Shang, who still had a youthful look on his face, was under fire from the group, a kind-hearted young woman hurried over to defuse the situation.
"Liu Shang, I actually graduated from the University of Petroleum too, with a major in geological exploration. I'm your senior sister."
"It just so happens that I have several sandstone effective thickness maps that haven't been calculated yet. Why don't you come and help me?"
At this, Liu Shang smiled and nodded gratefully at the senior sister who was seven or eight years older than him, but he still insisted on his original point.
"Thank you, senior, but it's more appropriate for me to handle this foundational work."
"Once I finish the initial work and lay the groundwork, it will be much easier for everyone to start on the follow-up tasks."
Seeing Liu Shang's unwavering arrogance, the anger of those present flared up again, but they were stopped in time by Zhang Zhengmao.
"What are you all doing?"
"Are you trying to gang up on Liu Shang?"
"Have you forgotten what Director Pan said today? Liu Shang has the most authority in this job, and he should be at the center of it."
"Besides, even if you're dissatisfied and have opinions, shouldn't you at least wait until he tries? Why don't you open your mouths when he actually doesn't understand something and can't continue?"
"Alright, we'll do as Liu Shang says. All of you will cooperate with him to carry out this work!"
Seeing that Zhang Zhengmao had come forward to support Liu Shang and had made a decision, they could only swallow their complaints, no matter how much they grumbled internally, and continued to prepare materials with scowls on their faces.
At this time, Liu Shang wasted no more words and immediately began his work.
"Please bring over the comprehensive well logging interpretation charts for all relevant oil and water wells."
"Also, the map of well locations for this area, the map of water cut distribution, and the maps of sandstone thickness and effective thickness for all reservoirs. Get them ready..."
While calling out the required materials, Liu Shang also started his work.
With a ruler in one hand and a pencil in the other, he began to move quickly around the massive charts spread across the long desk.
And on those few drawings, Liu Shang marked and drew with extreme efficiency and accuracy.
His familiarity with the blueprints, his uncannily precise and rapid positioning—this skill alone would likely rank him among the best in the entire Fengcheng Oilfield.
Meanwhile, as Liu Shang calmly read out a series of data, the several people assigned to record it scrambled to keep up.
Even with their frenzied division of labor and high-speed input, they still found themselves faintly unable to match Liu Shang's rhythm.
Watching this scene unfold, Zhang Zhengmao, the chief geologist, and Pan Qingfeng, the plant director, were utterly dumbfounded.
And those who had previously expressed doubts about Liu Shang, and had even criticized him, were now completely speechless, as shocked as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
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